For those who wondered if Creigh Deeds was nothing more than Republican Bob McDonnell’s thesis adviser, Wednesday’s Washington Post op-ed page offered a glimmer of hope. Deeds’ journalistic patron gave the Democratic gubernatorial candidate ample space to outline his prescription for what everybody agrees is Northern Virginia’s top concern, transportation. But alas, Deeds’ piece offered only gaseous generalities about mass transit and — surprise — a promise to appoint a new commission after the election to write a comprehensive transportation plan. Having tried to distract voters by obsessively criticizing McDonnell’s thesis, Deeds hopes voters won’t notice that he offers little other than higher taxes and a political dodge to deal with the region’s stifling traffic congestion.

Shortly after answering “no” to a point-blank question during last week’s Fairfax Chamber of Commerce debate on whether he would raise taxes, the Democratic candidate for governor said he was “willing to sign a bill that raises new money for transportation.” Asked about the obvious contradiction, Deeds snapped at a female reporter: “I think I’ve made myself clear, young lady.”