 However, "The Washington Post" broke news of a graduate school Master's thesis written by Bob McDonnell calling working women "detrimental" to the traditional family and criticizing the "purging" of religion from schools.Deeds and other Democrats began attacking McDonnell on his thesis and several polls started showing the race tightening up.By mid September, Rasmussen Reports had Deeds behind 48%–46% while the "Washington Post" had him losing 51%–47% (see below).