McDonnell Master's Thesis Causes Big Stir

9:09 p.m.

Sunday’s Washington Post article detailing a Bob McDonnell thesis written in 1989 has caused a stir across the state. The paper, which was written for McDonnell’s master’s in public policy and law degree, was titled “The Republican Party’s Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of the Decade.”

According to a politico.com article, in an afternoon phone press conference, McDonnell insisted that he has changed his views on many social issues. Politico.com quotes him as saying “I think it’s unfortunate, but not surprising…that [Deeds] would turn to the divisive social issues to try to drive some enthusiasm for his campaign,” McDonnell said. “Senator Deeds, and I think this is the reason he is insisting on social issues on his campaign, has one of the worst records in recent Virginia history with supporting jobs and free enterprise.”

The Democrat Party of Virginia has also weighed in on the issue by releasing an ad bashing McDonnell for his thesis. The ad is set to scary music and as The Washington Post’s Rosalind Helderman writes “clips of puppies playing in a meadow would be frightening if set to the music used in this video.”