Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls seek to energize supporters

The time for pitching -- platforms, position papers, jobs and education plans -- is over. Now, it's all about hitting the bases of support each candidate has to get out the vote.

The three men seeking the Democratic nomination for governor will spend the next 72 hours swinging across the commonwealth to energize loyal supporters to go to the polls on Tuesday.

With a low turnout predicted and recent polls showing the three candidates within the margin of error, experts say old-fashioned campaign field operations are likely to decide who will face Republican Bob McDonnell in November.

"As of today, the campaigns are on autopilot," said University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato. "The issues are relevant only to the extent that they motivate. Now, it's all about phone banks and people on the ground hauling reluctant voters out of their homes to take the time on Tuesday to vote."

Buoyed by a surge in recent polls and the endorsement of The Washington Post, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County spent much of yesterday in Northern Virginia, hoping to eat away at the broad Democratic base cherished by his two rivals from the region -- former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe of McLean.

Deeds will make 16 stops between today and Monday, hitting Hampton Roads, central Virginia and Southwest Virginia while looking for more cash to fund Election Day operations.

"Will you help get more boots on the ground and turn out the vote on June 9?" Deeds pleaded in an e-mail yesterday to supporters.

McAuliffe yesterday swung from Arlington in the morning to Richmond around lunchtime, traveling with one of his latest out-of-state backers: Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.

McAuliffe also touted the endorsement of Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania, chairman of the National Governors Association and former DNC head, before heading to Charlottesville.

Schweitzer said he is supporting McAuliffe because of his credentials as a businessman and investor. "The governors are the CEOs. . . . This is the model of a successful governor."

McAuliffe was asked if harvesting endorsements from out-of-state figures calls further attention to his status as a newcomer to Virginia politics.

"They're governors and they know what it takes to be a successful governor," said McAuliffe, describing the endorsements as "validation."

Voters in the Richmond area yesterday also received an automated call from former President Bill Clinton urging support for McAuliffe, who ran Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign last year.

Moran yesterday attended a "Women for Moran" luncheon in his hometown of Alexandria with local elected officials and then appeared on MSNBC with Chris Matthews on "Hardball."

The candidate touted his 20 years of public service in the commonwealth and spent much of the interview heaping praise on President Barack Obama's economic efforts and the role Virginia played in his election.

Moran continues his "Fighting for Virginia" tour this weekend with stops in Hampton Roads, Richmond and Charlottesville.

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .

Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or .

Staff writer Olympia Meola contributed to this report.