Democrat Creigh Deeds on Monday attacked his Republican opponent as an ideologue who spent his political career “single-mindedly advancing his anti-choice agenda,” steering the Virginia governor’s race into the realm of social issues.
Trailing badly in recent polls, Deeds painted Republican Bob McDonnell as a staunch opponent of contraception and abortion at a rally in Annandale attended by about 100 pro-choice women.
It was the first salvo in Deeds’ assault on McDonnell’s record as a social conservative. Until now, the debate on issues like Roe v. Wade and access to birth control had been sidelined by the economy and job creation. But in an election that will be decided by the commonwealth’s political middle, the Deeds campaign is hoping to alienate the Republican from a large swath of potential voters.
Such tactics have worked for Democrats in Northern Virginia. Gerry Connolly won election to Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat last year partly by tarring his opponent, Keith Fimian, as a conservative extremist out of step with a moderate voter base.
But the strategy is an uncommon one for a Democratic candidate seeking statewide office in Virginia. Deeds’ two predecessors — Mark Warner and Tim Kaine — had minimized the importance of social issues on the campaign trail.
Deeds cast McDonnell’s broad opposition to abortion as a conflict with his views on limited government. “It’s one thing to talk a good game about small government, less government,” Deeds said. “But that applies across the board.”
In a statement responding to Deeds, McDonnell Communications Director Tucker Martin said the Republican would “continue to faithfully uphold all federal and state laws, as he did as attorney general.” Martin added, “Despite Creigh Deeds’ ongoing attempts to divide Virginians, Bob McDonnell will continue to talk about bringing Virginians together to create jobs and opportunity.”
