Bill Clinton rallies Virginia Democrats

MCLEAN -- With Democrats trailing late in Virginia's contest for governor, former President Bill Clinton lent his star power to R. Creigh Deeds today during a lunchtime rally for the party faithful in Northern Virginia.

"Never underestimate this man," said Clinton, whose friend, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, was defeated soundly by Deeds in the Democrats' June 9 primary.

"The thing that matters . . . is what you do in the next two weeks -- whether you're prepared to step into the breach," Clinton told more than 300 campaign volunteers, staffers and state lawmakers packed into the fourth-floor headquarters of the coordinated Democratic campaign.

"There's no question that Creigh Deeds has the best jobs plan, best energy plan, best education plan and the best record," Clinton said.

Two weeks before Election Day, Deeds, a state senator from rural Bath County, trails Republican Bob McDonnell by 7 to 9 points in most of the recent polls. Democrats also trail in the contests for attorney general and lieutenant governor.

Experts say that to win, Deeds needs to turn out traditional Democrats and energize the 500,000 or so "Obama surge" voters who cast ballots in last year's presidential election. Obama was the first Democrat to carry Virginia in 44 years.

Clinton's appearance was his first on behalf of Deeds. The former president had campaigned in Fredericksburg last year for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton during the presidential primaries. After Obama won the nomination, Clinton campaigned for Obama last October in Roanoke and at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Clinton's appearance comes on the heels of a recent fundraiser for Deeds with former vice president Al Gore. On Tuesday, Obama returns to the campaign trail in Virginia, signaling a ramped-up national party engagement in the race.

In recent days, the Democratic National Committee, chaired by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, has committed additional funds and staff to Deeds' cause in Virginia, one of two states holding elections for governor this year.

Deeds today appeared to be heeding the advice of prominent Democrats, including Kaine, who said he needs to convince voters about why they should cast ballots for him, rather than simply why they should not vote for McDonnell.

"We've got to restore confidence in the economy by creating jobs," Deeds said, avoiding any direct attacks on his rival in a standard stump speech.

McAuliffe appeared with Clinton at the rally, which was held in the office space formerly occupied by his campaign.

"Let's keep Virginia BLUE!" read a painted sign affixed to the entrance to the men's room.

"Let me say personally it's great to be back in my old headquarters," said McAuliffe. "Not the way I thought I'd be back," he quipped.

McAuliffe, who displayed more enthusiasm than Deeds, Clinton or the down-ticket candidates who spoke before them, said Clinton was the "Babe Ruth" of the economy, and predicted an electoral home run for Deeds and the party.

"It's going to be the greatest comeback in the history of American politics," he said.

Signs of increasing urgency in the campaign were evident outside the entrance to the office building, where a landscaped area was blanketed by blue-and-white Deeds signs spelling out his name.

A customized Deeds tour bus sponsored by the International Union of Painters and Applied Trades was parked outside the rally, which was attended union members.

Meanwhile, a group called "Black Women for Obama" launched a phone bank to begin making calls on behalf of Deeds to Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.

The rally ended with McAuliffe, Clinton and Deeds leading a hand-clapping chorus of a familiar Obama slogan: "Yes We Can."

The task ahead was not lost on down-ticket aspirants Jody Wagner and Steve Shannon.

"We've got a lot of work to do," said Shannon the delegate from Fairfax who is running for attorney general against state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax.

"These are difficult times and we're facing some headwinds as a result of the national recession, " said Wagner, the former state treasurer and secretary of finance who is running for lieutenant governor against Republican Bill Bolling.

"In 14 days we can get a lot done. The world was created in seven."