Sunday Newspaper Commentary on June 9 Primary

This morning's papers have a fair amount to say about the Democratic gubernatorial and lieutenant governor campaigns. Here's a sampling.

*The Bristol Herald-Courier, as expected, endorses Creigh Deeds, citing his long record of "trad[ing] horses with legislators in the General Assembly" (personally, I'm not sure if spending years in Richmond "making sausage"/"horse trading" is such a great thing, but we'll see what voters decide on June 9). As a McAuliffe supporter, however, what makes me smile is what the paper has to say about my candidate:

McAuliffe, the former DNC chairman, has brought rock star enthusiasm into the primary race.

No one can deny McAuliffe’s enthusiasm and drive – he is running as if he already were governor, complete with a staff of more than 100 people and multiple daily updates on his appointments and availability.

We don’t support the criticism that McAuliffe, who has lived in McLean for about 17 years, is a carpetbagger. Residents of Southwest Virginia – too often forgotten by the wealthier, more populous regions – should look inward before dismissing residents from other parts of the state. For all of us, our hometown is an accident of birth.

Nice.

*Mike Signer's campaign manager tweets: "Signer wins endorsement of 2 s-side newspapers "by a mile" the Mecklenburg Sun and South Boston News and Record. First newpapers to endorse and it's for Signer!"

*The Washington Post endorses Jody Wagner for LG, citing her experience as finance secretary under Tim Kaine. The Post has nice words for Mike Signer as well, writing that he "isn't afraid to broach subjects many politicians consider taboo, including the need to grant ex-felons voting rights."

*Last but not least, the always perceptive but also tart-tongued Jeff Schapiro writes that Brian Moran is now "on fringe of Dems race." Here's an excerpt:

For Moran, what seemed a plus now is a problem: geography. Northern Virginia was Moran's for the asking -- until the former delegate from Alexandria had to compete there with another local: McAuliffe of McLean.

Adding insult to injury: Moran's de facto hometown newspaper, The Washington Post, gave its editorial endorsement to Deeds, a state senator from rural Bath County. The Post's backing legitimized Deeds in The Land of Many Democrats as electable and solutions-oriented.

NoVa was supposed to be Moran's strength. Instead, it's proved his weakness.

[...]

As for Moran, face it: The guy has a great head of hair.

Ouch. By the way, speaking as someone who hasn't had a "great head of hair" in years, I'd say that latter point is nothing to scoff at. :)