The AP’s Bob Lewis is reporting that the NRA will endorse Bob McDonnell for governor. If you recall, they endorsed Creigh Deeds in the 2005 race.
Update: Chris Cox, NRA-PVF Chairman and NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director noted, “Bob McDonnell is an effective leader for Virginia hunters and gun owners. His opinions and actions as an attorney general have protected and enhanced the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians. His zero-tolerance attitude toward criminals makes him the best choice for governor. We ask every Virginia hunter, gun owner and Second Amendment advocate to vote McDonnell for Governor this November.”
While this will certainly hurt Deeds with the so-called “Deeds’ Country” voter, will it shore up support in the more liberal areas of the state? The usual suspects are already celebrating.
Which, to me, is cause for celebration! Welcome home, Deeds’ Country!
Jim Geraghty of National Review also has some interesting thoughts on today’s endorsement too:
The spin from some quarters preferring Deeds is that this development will motivate liberals in Northern Virginia to turn out for Deeds. Uh-huh. Last week we were being assurd that the brouhaha over the thesis and Creigh Deeds’ ads charging that McDonnell wants to take Virginia “back to the dark ages” were going to do that.
