Bearing Drift asks Virginian-Pilot “What about Bob?”

Once in a while, newspapers will accidentally let it slip that their political stances aren’t as nonpartisan and unbiased as their talking points suggest. In between their usual mantras “We endorse the person, not the party” or “there’s no such thing as a Republican or Democratic pothole” or “we endorse on competence not ideology,” we occasionally get a glimmer that it’s not always so high and mighty.

Take today’s missive from Pilot Editor Don Luzzatto, where he writes about Creigh Deeds’ campaign and muses about whether Creigh Deeds “will have the chance to prove it in the governor’s mansion.”

The entire column discussed Deeds and his primary opponents. Bob McDonnell’s lone mention in this article was 6 paragraphs deep, and only to mention that Deeds almost beat him, and that…oh yes, McDonnell is the GOP nominee.

Mostly Luzzatto debates himself over whether Deeds, Brian Moran or Terry McAuliffe will carry on the rich tradition of Mark Warner or Tim Kaine and wonders whom of the three is more likely “to succeed them.”

Uhm, there IS a general election in November, Don.

There might be a little speedbump to your June coronation fantasies. Are the Virginian-Pilot’s endorsements are already in the vault by the end of the June 9th Democratic primary?

Or is the more proper term “in the tank”?

The Pilot punted any Presidential endorsement last year, partly because they weren’t likely to interview the candidates personally. Well, how important can those interviews be if the endorsement looks like a foregone conclusion in April?

Perhaps it’s better this way. Sometimes I tire of the charade that there are no partisans on editorial boards, and that somehow the endorsement of a few Republican incumbents in overwhelmingly safe seats somehow indicates balance. When the chips are down, a seat’s in play and a contest is close, the evidence of where the endorsements land is clear and overwhelming.

If today’s column is any indication, their endorsement for governor could be published June 10.

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About the author

Brian Kirwin

The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.