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Over the last 24 hours two more polls were released, one by Democrat pollsters Public Policy Polling and the other by SurveyUSA for Roanoke television station WDBJ. Neither typically are considered top tier polls — not necessarily in the same league as Mason-Dixon and Rasmussen. But they have shown interesting, sometimes contradictory, results this campaign season. But now both show Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell with commanding double digit leads (14 and 19 points, respectively). Each also has the other two Republican candidates, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and attorney general nominee Senator Ken Cuccinelli (Fairfax), up by healthy double digit margins. Does the fact that these two newer polls to Virginia politics both show the same trend (though different margins) verify a trend?

One who pretty much said so today was U.Va. political soothsayer Larry Sabato. On WRVA radio’s Richmond’s Morning News With Jimmy Barrett, he wouldn’t go that far — yet. But he crept up to to the line, which, for Dr. Sabato, is saying a great deal. He said he would release his Crystal Ball’s predictions next week.

Listen to Larry Sabato’s interview (6:55) with Jimmy Barrett by clicking here.

Here is the analysis (including methodology) and internal numbers from the two polls, including from the polling organizations themselves:

Public Policy Polling 

McDonnell starting to pull away (PublicPolicyPolling.com)

Another Poll Suggests McDonnell Pulling Away From Deeds (CQPolitics Blog)

McDonnell up 12 pts. in new poll (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Both

McDonnell Opens Double-Digit Lead Over Deeds in Virginia (Politics Daily Poll Watch Blog)

SurveyUSA

Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #15927 (SurveyUSA.com)

SurveyUSA Shows McDonnell Clinging to a 59–40 Lead (National Review Online’s The Campaign Spot Blog)

News7 Poll: Republicans hold comfortable leads in statewide contests (WDBJ7.com)

First it was William & Mary with its “Sex Workers Show,” followed by George Mason with its transvestite “homecoming queen.” Then W&M upped the ante with child porn photography. “Hold on!” says U.Va. and Virginia Tech. We want in, too!

So a certain pornographic magazine is planning its annual “Girls of the ACC” photo shoot. It is visiting U.Va. today and tomorrow in search of just the right girl (or girls) with all those endearing, wholesome qualities — yeah, right! — to pose nude in its publication. But Tech fans, don’t despair. Said magazine (which is losing its tail financially, by the way, and pun intended) will peruse your campus on Thursday and Friday, hoping to find qualified Hokie girls.

On campuses with not-quite-big-dance-worthy-basketball-teams, I guess this is what passes as March Madness. How much longer will Virginia’s colleges remain out of control?

The News Stand is back after a St. Patrick’s Day absence. We hope the all Irish, and Irish-philes for that matter, had a wonderful day. Today’s News Stand is, in part, dominated by the RPV chairman fight. This will likely dominate the political headlines until it’s resolved, but there’s no guarantee as to when that will be.

But there is more, a lot more. In particular, I highly suggest reading the opinion piece culled from the Wall Street Journal, by Dr. Brad Wilcox. Dr. Wilcox is a professor at U.Va. and a member of The Family Foundation’s marriage commission. This past General Assembly session, he testified on behalf of our Family Life Education bill. Monday, our president, Victoria Cobb, offered a review of the article (here).

Also of note is the national news article, from the Kansas City Star, about the trial of the abortionist George Tiller, whose prosecution was begun by our Annual Gala speaker this year, Phill Kline. For background on the case, see and hear Mr. Kline, now a law professor at Liberty University, yourself, here and here.

News:

Republican Party chairman fights back against those seeking his ouster (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Embattled party chief assails GOP ‘insiders’ (Washington Times)

GOP Chairman Fires Back as Party Leaders Seek His Ouster (Washington Post)

Making a Living in Governor’s Race (Washington Post) 

Cantor endorses Cox in race for 55th seat (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

O’Bannon seeks another term; Democrat begins challenge (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Obenshain: Some VDOT Videos A Waste Of Money (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Justice Thomas says youth self-indulgent (Washington Times)

National News:

Jury selection for Tiller trial starts today (Kansas City Star)

Opinion:

God Will Provide — Unless the Government Gets There First (Wall Street Journal) 

The Culture Warriors Get Laid Off (New York Times)