Big endorsements arrive on morning stoop

The remaining big Virginia newspapers made their endorsements this morning in the race for governor. No big surprises in the bunch, as papers' editorials boards largely went with the candidate's from the parties that best represented their well known policy stands.

The Richmond Times Dispatch backed Republican Bob McDonnell, as did the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star.

The Roanoke Times backed Democrat Creigh Deeds. So did the Virginian-Pilot.

That last editorial provided the only moment of intrigue for the moment. For one, choosing Deeds meant going against hometown candidate McDonnell. But, for the other, the endorsement is marked by a lack of enthusiasm for the chosen candidate. The paper's board chose Deeds as the better bet to fix transportation and manage state finances. But they called his campaign "chaotic" and generally slammed sophistication of the arguments advanced by both sides.