McDonnell, Deeds push key campaign themes as race nears end

Republican Bob McDonnell said yesterday that his jobs-and-economy theme has helped push him ahead, while Democrat R. Creigh Deeds continued promoting themes of education and transportation as the gubernatorial campaign headed into its final two days.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour joined McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and GOP attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli for yesterday's first two stops in Springfield and Fredericksburg, before the trio headed to stops in Chesterfield County and Williamsburg.

Deeds, trailing McDonnell in polls, hunted for votes in western Virginia before turning north to the outer Washington suburbs and concluding his evening in Richmond with an appearance before volunteers at the Democratic joint campaign headquarters on West Broad Street near Virginia Commonwealth University.

"Polls can be discouraging, but you know what? The only poll that matters has yet to be taken," said Deeds, who was joined by attorney general candidate Stephen C. Shannon and Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico.

"We have just a couple of days left," Deeds said. "The stakes could not be higher."

Deeds drew loud applause when he criticized Republicans for how they have campaigned against him, saying, "You have seen more money, more negative advertising, more pure hate aimed at this campaign than ever before."

In Chesterfield, a crowd of about 250 -- buoyed by polls that could portend a sweeping victory -- greeted the Republican ticket earlier. And in a nod to that enthusiasm, Cuccinelli hopped off of the campaign RV, carrying a broom decorated with a sign that read: "McBOLLINELLI."

"We want to use it on Tuesday night," Cuccinelli told the crowd.

After the speeches, McDonnell signed a campaign sign for a woman who choked back tears talking about her difficulties finding work. He asked several questions about her troubles, and later in a brief interview, noted sobering statistics about how many Virginians are affected by job losses.

The national downturn has "really made the economy and job creation and the fiscal issues the top issue in the race," he said.

"I think we understood that over a year ago and that's really been the heart and soul of our campaign . . . trying to provide a plan for more opportunities and more jobs for Virginia citizens," he said. "I think that's why we're in the position to win, because that's been the focus of the campaign."

McDonnell, a former state attorney general, said it's hard to know whether the ticket would be in a different position were the national picture rosier.

"But certainly the contrast that we see at the federal level between these massive new federal programs and taxes and intrusions in the free-enterprise system, versus our sort of free-market, limited-government ideas in Virginia has certainly created a contrast that is, frankly, helping us with the independent voters that are coming back to vote Republican this time," he said.

Deeds told campaign workers that his side is focused on bringing jobs to every part of Virginia, and advised them not to worry about the polls.

In Montgomery County, Deeds again pledged to repair the state's road system -- he says that may require higher taxes -- and vowed to make college more affordable. The state senator from Bath County said victory is possible if Democrats mobilize their vote.

"If all you can bring out are 10 -- that ain't enough," he said. "We have to drive them out, and if we do, we're going to move Virginia forward."

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .

Staff writers Reed Williams and Jeff E. Schapiro contributed to this report.