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VA Governor's Race Erupts Over McDonnell's Right-Wing Thesis

First Posted: 10/17/09 06:12 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 02:55 PM ET

Virginia Governor Debate

Washington Post:

The Virginia governor's race ignited Monday over Republican Robert F. McDonnell's 20-year-old graduate thesis: Democrats assailed him in e-mail blasts and interviews for what he wrote about working women, homosexuals and "fornicators," and McDonnell tried to explain his views to crucial moderate and female voters.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

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The Virginia governor's race ignited Monday over Republican Robert F. McDonnell's 20-year-old graduate thesis: Democrats assailed him in e-mail blasts and interviews for what he wrote about working wo...
The Virginia governor's race ignited Monday over Republican Robert F. McDonnell's 20-year-old graduate thesis: Democrats assailed him in e-mail blasts and interviews for what he wrote about working wo...
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09:21 AM on 09/05/2009
Creigh Deeds! He's got my vote. I've got news for you McDonnell: The Old Dominion is no longer a plantation.
09:59 PM on 09/01/2009
"RUN ON THEIR RECORD"! That is how Democrats will not only NOT lose seats in 2010 and beyond, but they WILL GAIN even more, not only in the National House and Senate, but also in the Governorships, the State Houses, etc., etc. The country's going Leftward because it's the most sensible and relevant direction. We've been there, done that and just barely survived the crap! Plus, Republican conservatism is shooting itself in the foot every single chance it gets and thus very helpfully speeding up the process. Just come election time, all you gotta do is simply "RUN ON THEIR RECORD" and remind voters what's at stake. That's all!
06:58 PM on 09/01/2009
You know, I could understand the backtracking if he had written this stuff for an evangelical newspaper when he was eighteen or something, but he was thirty-four! Are we supposed to believe he was naive and unfamiliar with the real world that has apparently NOW taught him the error of his ways? At thirty-four?

Please.
07:22 PM on 09/01/2009
Good question.

Much as the "research" in his "thesis" is taken directly from Roman Catholic doctrine with an evangelical twist. His research appears to be the culmination of a dozen or so years of academic study and real life experiences.

That being the case or not, the vast majority of Virginians don't care. Their vote is based more on emotion than fact.
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
Gregor53
Remembering your past gives power to the present.
04:40 PM on 09/01/2009
I just love the internet!! When I see such hypocrites sweat and backtrack, it brings a smile to my face. Now we will see if the people of VA elects this type of individual to represent them. He could just say that when he wrote that 1) I did not know I would be in politics someday, 2) Pat Robertson brainwashed me or 3) I stand by what I said then and I continue to believe it today. Any one of the three would be comical.
04:45 PM on 09/01/2009
Palin will win it in Northern Virginia for McDonnell think September 2008:

http://nymag.com/news/politics/powergrid/50277/
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loax
04:25 PM on 09/01/2009
The truth of this mans beliefs is now out where the good people ofVirgina can see it in black and white. They will determine what is right for them, and I know it will be that this man is not fit to be Governor!
04:38 PM on 09/01/2009
Bigots, hypocrites, the ignorant prejudiced anti-intellectuals and the evangelicals all love each other and will come out together in droves and give McDonnell a landslide victory! Too bad.
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AllShookUp
Hug A Hater
07:47 PM on 09/01/2009
Thanks for letting us know what you are. Saves time.
03:12 PM on 09/01/2009
Republicans just can't help themselves.

They're big ots, and they love tor ture.

I remember William F. Buckley chortling when the tanks rolled into Tien an Men Square in 1989.

Republicans like to see students k ill ed.

Republicans are one tiny goose-step away from their German counterparts.
03:10 PM on 09/01/2009
Pat Robertson U.

That says all we need to know about this guy.
07:35 PM on 09/01/2009
Between Pat at Regent and the two Falwell brothers over at Liberty he has the theocratic party in the state sewed up.
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zendem1
Sometimes I like to touch other people's food
03:08 PM on 09/01/2009
Note to all GOPers running for office: Have the phrase,"What I meant to say was.." at the ready at all times. It will come in handy believe you me.
02:10 PM on 09/01/2009
Hey look at what the republicans did to Sotomyor (Please excuse the spelling). They raked her over the coals for things she said a long time ago. Go after him, chew him up, and spit him out. Turn about is fair play.
02:48 PM on 09/01/2009
Hopefulinpa there is a world of difference between the "wise latina" comment and the garbage this guy wrote about and believes.
02:00 PM on 09/01/2009
Something my doctoral thesis advisor once warned - you can't unpublish something, once it's out there. McDonnell's thesis stands (and falls) on it's merits.

Give him credit - at least he is openly bigoted - no stealth candidate here. And give the people of Virginia credit - they don't want a bigot like that as a top state official.
02:32 PM on 09/01/2009
That is exactly why Allen is no longer around he publically displayed his bigotry. Another macaca moment.
03:59 PM on 09/01/2009
The bigot will win by a landslide.

The re-enactors will all come out as reactionaries. They have sat on the sidelines and watched too much progress pass them by.

Get ready Virginia you ain't seen nothing like it since Hunter!