Virginia Governor Election 2009: Results a Referendum on Obama?

by Jon Azpiri | November 2, 2009 at 07:10 pm

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The people of Virginia are heading to the polls to elect a new governor and the results may not be good for US President Barack Obama. The normally red state voted for Obama in the 2008 election, the first time Virginians supported a Democrat for president since 1964. It looks, however, that the state will return to its old ways as Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds in pre-election polls. Several other state positions in Virginia may also be won by Republicans.

Some wonder if the Virginia election results are a sign of slipping support for Obama's Democrats.

The races will not change the immediate power balance in Washington, where Democrats have dominated since last year's general election.
But across-the-board defeat would be seen as a rebuke for Obama exactly a year after his historic victory.

However, at least one poll indicates that Virginia voters are more focused on local issues rather than the Obama administration.

In a Washington Post poll last week, 70 percent of Virginia voters said that Obama was not a factor in their choice for governor. The rest were divided about equally between saying they would vote to express support of or opposition to the president. Look for what network exit polls will show.

Those looking for information on how to vote in the Virginia Governors race can visit a Google blog post that provides locations of polling places and other relevant information.