McDonnell Leads Deeds by 12 Points in Virginia

Republican Bob McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds 53 percent to 41 percent with 6 percent undecided, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch/Mason-Dixon poll conducted Oct. 28-29.

McDonnell would be the first GOP governor in Virginia since 1997 if he wins. Although Democrats in recent years have made big inroads into this traditionally Republican state, the poll indicates that this year Republicans are poised for victories not only for governor, but for the two other statewide posts up for grabs, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

The poll suggests that President Obama's visit to the state a week ago to campaign for Deeds did little to move the needle. Deeds' support among blacks remains high at 82 percent but is little changed since early October.

Obama won the state by 53 percent to 46 percent in 2008, helped by a high turnout of black and young voters, but that dynamic does not appear to be in play this year and, in some polls, Obama's job approval and favorability ratings are down from his 2008 victory margin.