RNC chairman pleased with Virginia’s race outlook

Michael Steele is singing a dramatically different and more upbeat tune these days.

A year ago, when he took over as chairman of the Republican National Committee in the wake of Barack Obama’s presidential election romp, Steele’s party was singing the blues.

That grim tone has been quieted by Virginia Republican Robert F. McDonnell’s widening lead in the gubernatorial polls.

“Win or lose there will be tremendous momentum for 2010,’’ Steele said Friday during a visit to Waynesboro with the GOP’s statewide ticket.

Briefly shaken by revelations that he’d authored a 1989 thesis critical of working women, homosexuality and abortion, McDonnell steadily has stretched his lead over state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, into the double digits.

McDonnell’s run has fallen into the national spotlight because of Obama’s historic victory here, the first for a Democrat in 44 years; flagging support for the new president’s economic policies; and the fact that Virginia’s is one of just two gubernatorial races taking place nationwide this fall. In the other, Republican Chris Christie is in a tight race for governor with incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in New Jersey.

The national party has poured $9.1 million into McDonnell’s campaign, seen by observers as a test of Obama’s political might. Steele said he has worked with the McDonnell campaign on a message oriented around the economy and jobs.

“That’s what Americans are focused on. People are losing their jobs, their homes and are concerned about what tomorrow is going to look like,’’ Steele said.

McDonnell has succeeded in translating the Republican Party’s conservative philosophy of limited government and free markets into everyday issues for people, Steele said.

In just two days of traveling with the McDonnell campaign, Steele said he has witnessed the recession’s impact, particularly during Thursday stops in Southside Virginia.

“There are tremendous economic pressures on Southside and the people are feeling it,’’ he said.

McDonnell’s jobs plan has resonated with Virginia voters, Steele said. That is a result of McDonnell paying attention to the voters before the campaign, Steele said.

“Bob never stopped listening to the people,’’ Steele said. “He paid attention to the people while Creigh Deeds was playing politics. Bob came up with solutions.”