Tim Craig’s post in “Virginia Politics” on the money-race between Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds for their run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination is awesome.

Apparently, Deeds’ staff is a bit underpaid and the crankiness is beginning to show.

“I guess it’s the Moran economic stimulus plan - no consultant is left behind,” [Peter] Jackson, [Deeds spokesman], said.

While Democrats Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds voted in favor of massive tax increases to fund transportation and Gov. Tim Kaine’s transportation bill failed to muster even a single vote, it would appear that Republicans have solid ground in 2009 to demonstrate why they are the party of ideas and Democrats are mired in the same tired, old, tax-and-spend stereotype.

You would think, then, Republicans would be looking forward to setting the conditions in 2009.

In a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, a group out of North Carolina, regarding Virginians’ preferences for governor, Attorney General Bob McDonnell out-paced both his potential Democratic rivals, Sen. Creigh Deeds and Del. Brian Moran.

But that’s not the story.

It should come as no surprise to any of us who have followed politics for a number of years that Attorney General Bob McDonnell from the time he was a delegate has been a strong proponent of merit-based judicial selection.

After hearing Democratic candidate for governor Del. Brian Moran speak this session, you would think that the Virginia House minority leader had always been against abusive driver fees and regional authorities. But, in fact, he voted for the bill and even publicly advocated on its behalf.