Too Late for Dems in Virginia?

Creigh Deeds had Bill Clinton today and he is getting Barack Obama next week. But with the political environment more hostile than last year, can Democrats hold on in Virginia? ABC’s Teddy Davis has more: Former President Bill Clinton tried to boost Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds on Tuesday, telling Democratic activists in the Washington suburb of McLean that there is still time to keep the Virginia governor’s office from falling into Republican hands on Nov. 3. “These polls are both accurate and they’re not,” said Clinton, referring to public polls showing Republican Bob McDonnell with a lead over Deeds. “Are the polls right? The answer is yes, no, and maybe,” said Clinton. “The maybe is up to you,” he added. “The maybe is what you do in the next two weeks.” Clinton’s effort to rouse the party faithful came just a few hours before Deeds and McDonnell were scheduled to appear on NBC affiliate WSLS in Salem, Va., for their fourth and final debate. With Election Day two weeks away, Deeds is trying to ignite the voters who last year helped Barack Obama become the first Democrat to carry Virginia since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Clinton and Deeds were joined at Tuesday’s event by Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who lost the June 9 gubernatorial primary. “I tried to help Terry McAuliffe beat Creigh Deeds and we failed,” said Clinton. Democrats are hoping that Deeds, who came from behind to win the primary, can do the same against McDonnell. “The world was created in 7 days,” said Jody Wagner, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. “We certainly can win the election in 14.” To give Democrats a last-minute boost in Virginia, President Barack Obama is planning to campaign on behalf of Deeds on Tuesday, Oct. 27. McDonnell, however, is demonstrating no signs of letting up. This past weekend, he campaigned in Virginia Beach with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, McDonnell is planning to campaign with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), a potential 2012 presidential candidate, in Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, and Richmond. A former chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party who backed McAuliffe during the primary and thinks Deeds can still pull off a win against McDonnell, acknowledged Tuesday that Democrats are facing a tougher political environment this year than last November. “It’s as hostile as I’ve seen it,” said Virginia state Del. Kenneth Plum (D).