HERNDON -- Former President Bill Clinton told Virginians yesterday that difficult economic times call for a governor who can help manage the state's budget, preserve jobs and maintain important services.
Clinton spoke at two campaign stops in the Washington suburbs for his longtime political friend Terry McAuliffe, who is seeking to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary on June 9.
McAuliffe is running against state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria.
Clinton told about 300 people at a rally in Herndon that McAuliffe's experience as chief fundraiser for both of his winning White House campaigns has him well-prepared to lead Virginia through a tough fiscal climate.
"Everybody knows this guy raised a lot of money for me," Clinton said. "But what I want you to know is every nickel he raised, he also talked to me about how to be careful spending it. He will manage this government well and practice fiscal responsibility so he can be socially progressive."
Clinton praised the economic-stimulus package recently passed by Congress that will funnel millions of dollars to states. But he cautioned that the benefits will vary from state to state, depending on the governor.
"You've got to have a leader," Clinton said.
McAuliffe, meanwhile, criticized Republican candidate Bob McDonnell for joining with the House of Delegates to reject $125 million in federal stimulus money to expand eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Republicans and the state's business lobby opposed the measure as an unwarranted federal intrusion into state issues and noted it would eventually increase the unemployment insurance taxes that employers pay on each of their workers.
McAuliffe also used yesterday's rallies at a Herndon park and later at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College to touch on such key campaign issues as the need for more jobs, green energy and better education.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement