BABOOM. That’s the sound of the Washington Post poll finally hitting, putting Republican Bob McDonnell up by 11 percentage points, 55 percent to 44 percent.

Good night, everyone. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.

The Post didn’t ask about the lower races. Asked about who would be a more effective leader, 58 percent said McDonnell, 37 percent said Deeds; asked who is more honest and trustworthy, 48 percent said McDonnell, 34 percent said Deeds.

And 61 percent said Deeds was running a negative campaign; 58 percent said McDonnell was running a positive campaign. The Post notes that 70 percent said that President Obama was not a factor in their decision.

Oh, and everyone who argued that the thesis story was going to swing the election to Deeds needs to sit in the time-out chair for a while. McDonnell has now overtaken Deeds as the one more trusted to handle issues of special concern to women, 49 percent to 42 percent.