Pres. Obama Campaigns for Creigh Deeds

One week before voters decide who will be Virginia's next governor, candidate Creigh Deeds calls on the president.

"Reports of my demise are much exaggerated. We are going to win this election," an exited Deeds remarked to the crowd.

Moments later President Obama joined Deeds in Norfolk in an effort to rally voters.

"Opportunity in every corner of Virginia, that's what matters to Creigh Deeds-- that's what he will keep fighting for. For the people of Virginia, if you give him the chance," President Obama told the crowd.

But recent polls show Deeds is trailing Bob McDonnell by double digits. Can this last minute presidential push make up the difference?

"It's just a little too late. I think the Deeds campaign needed to get Obama involved in this election much earlier. The White House was willing to make an effort to try to help the democratic campaign in Virginia this year," says George Mason professor of public policy Mark Rozell.

Rozell says the Deeds camp initially didn't think the president would help because of the health care debate. As far as strategy goes, he says Deeds gained points when McDonnell's controversial thesis surfaced.

"McDonnell's lead started to shrink after that story came out in the Washington Post. The Democrats started running ads about his past controversial writings," said Rozell.

But the debate on taxes killed any momentum he had gained.

"A number of journalists pinned him down on a tax increase, transportation issue, he seemed to be fumbling on the issue," said Rozell. "Republicans captured that video and played it over and over again in their TV ads."
So the bottom line at this point is that a late presidential push may not be enough for Creigh Deeds to come back.