Obama campaigns for Deeds

Democrat Creigh Deeds got a helping hand Tuesday in an effort to lift his struggling campaign.

President Obama campaigned with Deeds at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. This is the president’s first appearance with Deeds, who has previously refused to call himself an Obama Democrat and has been critical of parts of the president’s agenda including health care reform and Cap and Trade legislation.

Still, President Obama heaped on the praise for Deeds.

“If you work hard, because I know Creigh is going to work hard, then I promise you this, not only are we going to elect an outstanding lieutenant governor, an outstanding attorney general, but we are going to continue the outstanding legacy in this great commonwealth and you are going to be looking at the next governor of the commonwealth of Virginia Creigh Deeds,“ he said. “Creigh Deeds understands that Virginia faces tough challenges, and solving them will require more than just lip service in political ads - it will require a realistic vision. When you’re governing, as Tim [Kaine] would tell you, nothing comes for free. Governing means you have to prioritize. You have to make tough choices. And you also have to recognize that change doesn’t happen overnight.”

Deeds will need all the help he can get. All public polls this week have shown him trailing Republican Bob McDonnell by double digits.

Speaking of McDonnell, he’ll be campaigning Wednesday all across the commonwealth with former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney.