The lack of excitement among Democrats is palpable, while the Republicans can’t wait for election day! McDonnell is drawing large crowds on his barnstorming tour, while the Democrats are pointing the finger at each other for the presumed GOP landsilde.

POLLS: Republicans pulling ahead in Statewide races: The average of this week’s polls shows Bob McDonnell (R) with 58% and Creigh Deeds (D) with 38%. This wide margin trickles down to the other offices Bill Bolling (R) showing a strong 13% lead over Jody Wagner (D) whose husband sent an email to supporters. Please read excerpt below. The McDonnell lead is also bringing along the controversial Ken Cuccinelli (R) over Steve Shannon (D). Cuccinelli’s lead somewhere around 10 points.

A lot has been made about Cuccinelli’s comments to the Virginian Pilot about whether he will fight for laws that stop discrimination against gays. Cuccinelli said he would enforce “natural” laws, and homosexuality is unnatural. He refused to back down from the statements several times when given the opportunity leading this reporter to make this conclusion: CUCCINELLI IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT HIS POLITICAL BASE WANTS HIM TO DO. He’s not backing down because he knows this plays, and is part of a strategy. A republican source blew off a question about whether this perceived bigotry could back fire. “I’m not worried about that at all, and I don’t know why you all are worried about it either.” Conclusion: solidify the base to win an election. Ironically, the more democrats make a big deal about Cuccinelli the more the base galvanizes around Cuccinelli. What remains unknown is whether the comments turn off independent voters in Northern Virginia where both candidates come from.

WHAT THE POST WROTE ABOUT CUCCINELLI:

In its editorial this morning, the Post blasted what it called Cuccinelli’s “bigotry,” adding that , “If he is elected attorney general, Mr. Cuccinelli would drive away qualified lawyers from an office that functions as the state government’s law firm, and, given his bizarre ideas, he would very likely become an embarrassment for the commonwealth.”

JODY WAGNER’S HUSBAND SENDS THIS MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS:

Most everyone knows the names Michael, A Rod, Kobe, Brett and how they’re “winners”. They’re winners because they play smarter and harder than anyone else using their amazing talents to lead their entire teams to victory.

None of them do it alone – it’s the rock solid reliability and indomitable courage of their teammates that makes them all champions. When the stars get boxed out, double-teamed, or walked, the rest of the team steps up a makes the most of the opportunity.

We’ve been there for Jody – thousands of donors, volunteers, and supporters. Now the race is in its final lap, our opponents are pouring national money into television buys to attack Jody, and it’s time for us to step up once more and carry Jody to victory.

You were there early because you believed, and have been incredibly generous in every way imaginable throughout this race.
Now it’s time for all of us to be champions – to fight our hearts out, finish strong, and WIN!
LET’S DO THIS!!!
Thank you so very much,
- Alan
Alan L. Wagner, M.D., F.A.C.S

INTERESTING CONTRAST ON THE QUESTION, CAN YOU GIVE A GOOD REASON FOR VOTERS TO VOTE FOR YOUR OPPONENT?

DEEDS: You know, I can name you a thousand good reasons why they should vote for me. I’m the best-prepared person to be the next governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. … Bob is a guy that I’ve always gotten along with, but I get along with most people. I work hard to get along with people. I don’t agree with Bob on a great deal.

McDONNELL: He’s a good family man. He’s worked hard to represent his district well for 18 years. To me, he’s a good story of somebody living and accessing the American dream. You know, he tells the story about … first guy in his family to go to college with four $20 [bills] in his pocket and now he’s competing for the job held by Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. To me, that’s a great story. I think there’s a hundred reasons why I’d be a better governor than him, but for the way, and this is his own personal life story, the way he has told it – it obviously happened because of tremendous hard work, tremendous perseverance to be able to get to the level that he is at, and I think that’s very admirable.

DEEDS CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE ‘ALL IN FOR VIRGINIA’ TOUR
~ Governor Kaine, U.S. Senators Warner and Webb to Get Out the Vote for the Democratic Ticket ~
ALEXANDRIA – The Deeds-Wagner-Shannon ticket will continue a 4-day, 20-stop “All in for Virginia” tour on Saturday in Christiansburg.

TRUTH TRACKER: NEW ROUND OF ADS IN THE 21ST DISTRICT

A war of heated words is dominating a House of Delegates race in Virginia Beach. Delegate Bobby Mathieson and Virginia Beach City Councilman Ron Villanueva have spent tens of thousands of dollars in last minute media buys before election day Tuesday.

“Ron is lying,” says Del. Bobby Mathieson. “Bobby is a liar and ineffective” says Challenger Ron Villanueva who is a Virginia Beach City Councilman.

WHAT DOES THE TRUTH TRACKER SAY ABOUT THE ADS? Villanueva’s ad says “Bobby Mathieson was the only Virginia Beach delegate to allow felons to work on school property. Putting our kids at risk. What could he be thinking?”

TRUTH TRACKER finds that is TRUE, “Delegate Mathieson, it is true you were the only one in the Virginia Beach Delegation to vote for HB 1481. ” Mathieson answered, “Look, what Ron is saying is an outrageous lie…he is trying to discredit my 27 year police career…protecting families.”

But the TRUTH TRACKER found Mathieson did vote for House Bill No. 1481 which allows some felon Contractors on School Property. The Bill reads, “Any contractor or his employee disqualified due to a felony conviction…may request from the local School Board a waiver.” Restrictions include the felony must be at least five-years old, and can not include sex offenses or crimes against persons. ”

Mathieson refused 18 times to tell WAVY.com why he voted for that Bill that ended up defeated anyway, “Delegate I’ve asked you five times to explain why you voted for this Bill. Why did you vote for this Bill? ” Mathieson responded, “I’m giving you the same answer.” But that answer did not include the reason he voted for the Bill that was defeated anyway.

Challenger Ron Villanueva said, “We as elected officials stand by our records. Bobby Mathieson cast a bad vote on that day.”

WAVY.com continued trying to get an answer from Mathieson, “I voted as the record shows.” WAVY.com, “Do you regret the vote?” Mathieson, “Yes, I regret the vote and I’m thankful the bill never passed.” No thanks to Mathieson says Villanueva, “He voted ‘yes.’ You need to understand what you’re voting for. What was Bobby thinking?…thankfully it was defeated.”

Again, Mathieson says Villanueva is trying to discredit his 27 year Police career, “He’s trying to make me look like I’m soft on crime, and it’s a bold lie.”

Villanueva’s commercial touts the Councilman as the jobs man, “Ron Villanueva’s hard work created 14,000 new jobs.”

TRUTH TRACKER FINDS THAT’S FALSE. Villanueva didn’t create 14,000 new jobs as a City Councilman since 2002.

WAVY.com: “Your TV ad, Ron, says you created 14,000 new jobs.”
Villanueva: “I helped create the jobs.”
WAVY: “No you said ‘created’, not helped create.”
VILLANUEVA: “Andy, our voters know what we are talking about.”

Mathieson responded to that, “How expedient. Ron is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. First, he created the jobs himself, then when pressed says he helped create the jobs. You just can’t trust Villanueva.”

It is true Virginia Beach has 14,247 new jobs created in Virginia Beach since Villanueva took office. However, it should also be noted the unemployment in Virginia Beach when Villanueva took office was 3.4% in September 2002 and it is now 5.7% according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

TRUTH TRACKER: STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL-ISSUE: DEL. PHIL HAMILTON

They are fighting to become Virginia’s top prosecutor, but the big issue in the State Attorney General’s race isn’t nuances of law, it’s Newport News Delegate Phil Hamilton. State Senator Ken Cuccinelli is the Republican, and Delegate Steve Shannon is the Democrat. Both of these guys are in the General Assembly, and they serve with Delegate Phil Hamilton. It’s a classic case of colleagues politically fighting against each other.

Shannon’s ad states, “This is Ken Cuccinelli. He’s running for Attorney General. This is his political ally Delegate Phil Hamilton. Hamilton was caught arranging a 40,000 a year personal contract using state money.” Even Hamilton has admitted to the truth of the facts of the case.

The ad continues, “Every statewide candidate called on Phil Hamilton to resign except Ken Cuccinelli.” THAT IS TRUE. So the truth tracker asked Cuccinelli why he did not call for resignation, “In Phil Hamilton’s situation his case goes through the ethics investigation, and then that case can come to the Attorney General. Not the Attorney General’s office, but the Attorney General,” Cuccinelli says. THAT IS TRUE:
ACCORDING TO STATE CODE: “if legislator knowingly violated any law…it shall refer the matter by a written report setting forth its findings and the reasons therefor to the Attorney General.”

Cuccinelli claims the Attorney General should remain neutral, “the Attorney General is the gate keeper in that case. If Steve Shannon wins this race he will have to recuse himself from that matter because he has already prejudged it, and I have not.”

WAVY.com asked Shannon about Cuccinelli’s comments, “He said it was irresponsible for you to speak about the Hamilton case because you have to possibly
judge this.” Shannon responded, “If the Attorney General thinks the violation has occurred he or she refers that case to a Commonwealth’s Attorney.” THAT IS FALSE:
ACCORDING TO STATE CODE: “if legislator knowingly violated any law…it shall refer the matter by a written report setting forth its findings and the reasons therefor to the Attorney General for such action he deems appropriate.” “HE” is left up to the State Attorney General and not necessarily a Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Shannon also notes Cuccinelli did call for Hamilton to be taken off the powerful Appropriations Committee where he is the second ranking member. Cuccinelli’s campaign re-defined the comment to “take him off the Committee until the matter is resolved, so there is no appearance of impropriety.”

Cuccinelli also claims there was a payoff. He says Shannon received contributions from Hamilton’s opponent after he called for Hamilton to resign, “Within days of my opponent calling for Phil’s resignation he got a $40,000 donation from the law firm his opponent works for.” THAT IS TRUE.

Robin Abbott’s law firm
Consumer Litigation Associates
contributed $40,000 to Shannon on August 31.
The law firm is Shannon’s fifth largest contributor to date.

We asked Shannon about that, “Cuccinelli says there’s a quid-pro-quo. You came out, supported Abbott, and then you got a $40,000 contribution from the firm she works for.” Shannon responded, “Ken is getting desperate right now. He is struggling with the fact Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling have rejected his position on this, and he’s trying to figure his way out of it.”

We also asked Robin Abbot about the contributions, “The commitment to Mr. Shannon’s campaign from my law firm was made long before the Phil Hamilton story came out.” THAT IS TRUE: Shannon got his first $10,000 from Abbott’s law firm in March before the Hamilton story broke.

THAT’S TODAY’S BLOG
THREE DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY:
I’M ANDY FOX WAVY.COM

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Things should be good for the trick-or-treaters this evening.  We may see a sprinkle inland during the evening, but overall it will be mostly cloudy and mild.  Sunset is at 6:09 pm.  Before the evening we’ll see very warm temperatures and a very nice day.  Highs will be in the lower 80s.  The record is 84 at Norfolk and Elizabeth City.  We may tie that in Elizabeth City, but we probably won’t reach it at Norfolk International. 

After today the bottom drops out.  Highs tomorrow will be near 60.  Temperatures will probably fall to the 50s in the afternoon.  Highs will be in the 50s and 60s for the next few days.  You may want to winterize your home a little earlier this year.  I’ve already put up plastic over the drafty windows in my home.  I cover the vents that go to the crawl space so that the cold air doesn’t flow in so freely.  I think it helps.  It’s not air-tight, but the flow isn’t so strong.  This helps the insulation that is down there.  Happy Halloween and don’t forget to turn the clocks back tonight.  Also change the batteries in your smoke detectors.  Be safe everyone. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

Senator Deeds can’t seem to get a break. U.S. Senator Mark Warner has been forced to cancel several last minute campaign appearances due to illness. Only three full days of campaigning left in this marathon election season!

The election is mercifully winding down. The republicans seem to have the wind at their backs. It would appear that Bob McDonnell will win big which should pull a few Republican candidates for Delegate along with him. At this point, my guess would be a net gain of three seats in the House for the Republicans.

Warm Temps, Clouds, Dogs in Vans?  This photo was sent in from Stephanie in Poquoson.  Xena (shown here) was in the annual Bow Wow Pet Parade which benefits Hampton’s Humane Society.  I’ve never dressed up my dog for Halloween, but I have given her a bone for Christmas.  By the way, never give dogs chocolate.  It’s not good for them. 

  Ok, so what’s the Halloween forecast?  Well… we will have partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies.  Winds will be breezy out of the south.  High temps for the day will be in the upper 70s to near 80, but temperatures will drop to the lower 70s by trick-or-treat time.  Sunset will be at 6:09pm.   Rain is expected to move in after midnight.  Hopefully it doesn’t come in early.  There is a good chance for rain on Sunday though as the next cold front flips in here from the west. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

The forecast has been variable to say the least.  The 7 day has been constantly changing.  This is due to some big and unseasonable cold air masses that have been swinging through the country like Tarzan on caffeine.  It’s hard for the computer models to handle these features.  This weather pattern isn’t expected to change any time soon.  Today we warmed up into the mid/upper 70s.  Tomorrow we’ll see northeast flow return.  Highs will be in the 60s Thursday and Friday.  The warmup now comes on Saturday where highs will be in the upper 70s.  (80s inland?)  So things are looking good for Halloween.  Fair and mild during the evening.  I’ll try to provide a little more detail tomorrow or Friday in another blog. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and Halloween is literally right around the corner.  That means it’s fall in Blacksburg, and it’s absolutely beautiful!

With fall break long past, the promise of Thanksgiving vacation hangs in the air.  As students, we have just completed our course requests for spring semester, and we are definitely anxious for this semester to come to a close.  We aren’t close to being done; however.  Midterms just ended, so we have close to half a semester to go.  But with two home football games remaining, and many more fun events planned for the rest of the semester, the time will fly by as it always does.  On top of everything else, we’re still hoping for a Hokie win in the ACC.

I’ll keep you all posted as the rest of the semester unfolds.  Famous band Maroon 5 will be here on November 10th, and it’s sure to be a good time!

Pull out your sweaters and coats, stay warm, and have a beautiful fall!

The leaves continue to turn shades of orange, yellow and red all across Virginia and North Carolina. 

This photo is from Bob in Wachapreague on the Eastern Shore.  Thanks Bob! 

Please continue to email your fall foliage photos to us at weather@wavy.com.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

The leaves are changing across Virginia and North Carolina.  October is my favorite time of the year! 

In the mountains of VA and NC, there is 50-75% change in color.  The Piedmont has 25-50% color and so far there is less than 25% change in Hampton Roads and northeast NC.  Expect peak color within the next one to three weeks depending on location.

Please send your fall foliage pictures to us at weather@wavy.com.  We’d love to see them!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson