Olin Hall at Roanoke College was the setting last week for the final debate between Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R), candidates for the office of Governor. Jay Warren, WSLS news channel 10 anchor, and political analyst Dr. Bob Denton were the moderators.
Deeds said that transportation was the biggest hurdle: “We have to have economic growth. [There are] 4,000 bridges and tunnels that are structurally deficient and we are going to run out of federal matching funds by 2016.” Deeds then stated “everything is on the table for me as far as funding.”
McDonnell said he has a detailed plan to use bonds and public/private partnerships, general funds and creative solutions like offshore drilling and privatizing the state ABC stores to fund his transportation plans. “I won’t propose raising taxes like my opponent in these tough economic times.”
During the open discussion period they both accused the other of taking money from the general funds. “Every major business group in the state that has made an endorsement has endorsed me,” said McDonnell, “in part because of my specific plans for transportation.”
McDonnell was asked what his “Plan B” for transportation is and he replied, “I have 12 different mechanisms to claim money for roads. We need leadership and as governor I will provide it.”
Denton asked both candidates how they could realistically afford all that they are proposing. McDonnell proposed running government like a business, with audits of every agency to make them more efficient and not raise taxes. Deeds proposed a series of budget reforms and performance reviews of state agencies and a tax credit for every job created.
Warren asked if they were “over-promising to Virginians”. McDonnell firmly stated that “the difference between Creigh and I is he is making promises he has no way to pay for.” Deeds responded by saying “all my plans are paid for with the general fund and there is a way to save money in schools. We think we can find $300 million to put back in schools through efficiency reviews, and I want to privatize school lunches and janitorial services.”
Denton said a recent survey showed that people do not care about McDonnell’s graduate thesis. He wanted to know why Deeds has spent so much time and money on this issue. “I think the thesis is relevant and explains Bob’s record – and why he is focused on a social agenda,” replied Deeds.
“Every major editorial board in the state has said my opponent is running negative ads that are dishonest and deceitful and ludicrous. The people of Virginia will decide who is being candid with them on the issues facing Virginia,” retorted McDonnell.
Deeds said he did vote in the General Assembly for parental notification and late term abortions that he thought “could be done constitutionally”. McDonnell replied, “Value matters and character counts and we need to protect families. I believe it is important to ban partial birth abortions and my opponent is against it.”
McDonnell said Virginia “could use a full time governor and maybe that is why we were the last to apply for the stimulus money, last to spend it and why the [interstate] rest areas are closed.” He was referring to Gov. Kaine’s position as head of the Democratic National Committee and the time he has spent away from his official duties as governor.
Deeds stated, “We are dead last in stimulus spending because our transportation program is deficient and I am disappointed, but I think the governor has done the best he could.”
Warren wanted to know if a health care bill passes with the public option, would Virginia opt-out. “Yes, there are legitimate concerns about the cost of healthcare,” said McDonnell. “We have the best doctors, best hospitals and the best research facilities, and the last thing I want to do is turn that over to the federal government. I think it will cost one trillion dollars and will create longer lines to see a doctor.”
Deeds replied: “I don’t think the public option is necessary and I would consider opting out. I propose allowing small business to create insurance pools to reduce their costs. People who are uninsured can get low interest loans to pay for their health care.”
Deeds said he won’t support that current federal cap and trade bill because it will increase costs, but noted that “climate change is real…I want to create green and renewable energy and reduce our electricity use. We need to develop alternative energy.”
McDonnell charged that Deeds is a member of the commission that supports federal cap and trade, which he claimed will add $1,700.00 to the family electric bill every year. “I will be the governor that stands up and says that is not good for Virginia,” noted McDonnell.
Denton asked the candidates about which recent governors they admired. Deeds said he had learned from Wilder, Warner and Kaine but that Gerald Balilies made the best use of his four years to bring people together and get things done. McDonnell said he admired George Allen since he ran his campaign on ideas and not rhetoric or partisanship. He also said that Wilder did an enormously good job in the middle of a recession.
During closing statements, Deeds said, “I am not the most eloquent speaker but I will get things done. I’ll create jobs by using tax credits and I’ll make college more affordable by awarding scholarships to those with a “B” average … and I’ll create a transportation plan.”
McDonnell said he had outlined a “detailed plan for education, transportation and job creation. I think we should keep taxes low and [Deeds] is a long time supporter of higher taxes. I think spending needs to be controlled … and he has proposed spending billions over last couple of years.” Neither opponent appeared to land a fatal blow to the other’s campaign during the hour-plus debate.
By Carla Bream [email protected]
