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Now that Democrat R. Creigh Deeds has closed his gap in the polls with Republican Bob McDonnell to single digits, it's time for Deeds to make his case to Virginia voters, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday.
Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, suggested that the race had grown tighter after the controversy surrounding McDonnell's 1989 graduate thesis and his position as a legislator on social issues.
"I think the gap has largely been closed because of significant concerns about what is Bob McDonnell's agenda and whether his agenda is truly representative of what Virginians want," said Kaine.
"Getting it over the goal line is more about -- OK, we have some concerns about Bob -- now it is up to Creigh in the late innings to make the simple sell for himself," he added. "And that's what will take this race to a winning race."
Kaine's comments follow similar remarks by Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th. During a walking tour with Deeds Monday in Arlington County, Moran suggested that it is time for Deeds, a state senator from Bath County, to transition from criticism of McDonnell to presenting a positive image of what he will do for Virginia if elected.
Deeds, who once trailed McDonnell by double digits, now is behind anywhere from 4 to 9 percentage points, depending on the poll.
In eight straight presidential elections, beginning in 1976, the political party that won the presidency has lost Virginia's governorship a year later.
If the trend continues, however, it will not be because Democrats and Deeds lack for funding. The DNC recently poured an additional $1 million into Deeds campaign coffers for a total of $6 million. Kaine said that is the largest single investment in a governor's race in the history of the party, according to Kaine.
The Republican National Committee has committed roughly $7 million to aid McDonnell, a former attorney general and a former delegate from Virginia Beach.
Kaine said President Barack Obama is likely to return to Virginia to campaign for Deeds.
"The White House is very much engaged in this race," said Kaine. "They have been heartened to see it close -- they want to see it close more."
Kaine said Deeds showed in the June 9 Democratic primary that he is a "strong closer" when he vaulted from underdog status and easily defeated rivals Terry McAuliffe and former Del. Brian J. Moran.
"It wasn't because he had the most sophisticated field operation," Kaine said. "But they got to know Creigh and they liked Creigh . . . I just think we have to do the same thing in the last month in the general [election]."
Kaine spoke at the state Capitol in Richmond following a news conference on energy-efficiency rebates.
Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or jnolan@timesdispatch.com.
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