Polite primary comes to an end

Ryan Nobles – bio | email

It has been brewing under the surface for weeks. From blog posts by surrogates to twitter posts by high level staff members, the Democratic primary has officially gone negative and at this point it may be too late to turn back.

After several weeks of public sniping by supporters from both sides, today both Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran were forced to release official statements addressing the negative attacks being hurled from both sides.

The negativity is not a surprise, in fact many observers wondered just how long it would take. Terry McAuliffe had pledged from the start of the race that he would “never say a negative word” about any of the Democrats in the race. To his credit, the candidate himself has not. Instead, his supporters (both “official” and “not official”) have used the internet to criticize Brian Moran for being negative. In some cases, baiting Moran officials in written quarrels on twitter and through the blogs of independent supporters.

Moran’s camp is by no means innocent in this fight. They lobbed the first bomb when they publicly attacked McAuliffe’s connection to GOP lobbyist Ed Rogers. From there they have used blogs, surrogates and high profile supporters to attack McAuliffe’s position on energy policy, offshore drilling and social justice issues like gay marriage.

Creigh Deeds has not necessarily been involved this particular back and forth, but he has not been afraid to criticize his opponents and bring up issues on the campaign trial and in debates that put them in difficult positions.

The public’s reaction to negative campaigning is often not nearly as great as the reaction from political insiders, but in this case that could be important. There is an incredible about of left-leaning talent that is dispersed amongst the three candidates for Governor. The Republican staff support is currently all working for one man.

How difficult will it be for staff members of Brian Moran or Creigh Deeds to loyally follow Terry McAuliffe for the “greater good” after the all the bad blood that has been spilled? Will McAuliffe staff members, many of which have connections to his national work with the DNC, lose interest in what happens at the state level if their guy is out of the race? Will Moran and McAuliffe staffers be able to work hard for Creigh Deeds after they didn’t take him seriously enough during the primary and he came from behind to upset them?

One thing is for sure, regardless of who wins, the nominee will need the help of everyone to defeat a Bob McDonnell machine that will be performing at mid-season form come the middle of June, when the Democratic nominee emerges.

After the jump is the full text from both camps is after the jump. Decide for yourself which side is being more negative.. and if you care.