And the winner of tonight's debate: Creigh Deeds

The first question of tonight's debate was given to Bob McDonnell. Asked if he preferred the recent economic policies of Republicans or Democrats, McDonnell provided an excellent example of blind partisanship and said that it was Republicans, at both the state and federal level, that had best moved the United States and Virginia forward. Really? George W. Bush (who oversaw the recent economic collapse and sat idly by as the gap between the rich and poor expanded at the expense of the middle class) over Bill Clinton (who oversaw the largest amount of peace time growth in our history)? Jim Gilmore over Mark Warner? If that is what Bob McDonnell honestly believes, then that is a debate that Creigh Deeds is willing to have.

Also, Deeds did an excellent job of raising the issue of McDonnell flip-flopping on the issue of bipartisan redistricting. McDonnell is a smooth talker and capable politician, and he clearly forms his position on this issue based on whichever office he is running for at that moment.

Lastly, Bob McDonnell used the word "taxes" in this debate more often than Rudy Giuliani talks about 9/11. He is consistently trying to scare voters into believing that Creigh Deeds will do nothing but raise their taxes. This is good politician-talk, but it does absolutely nothing to advance the conversation Virginians need to be having about issues like transportation, energy, and the economy. And his attacks are simply not true. You don't have to take my word for it, you can check out the independent FactCheck.org.

-Mike