Deeds, McDonnell make their pitch to Richmond business leaders
The two men who want to be Virginia's next governor pitched their campaigns to the Richmond-area business community this morning, touting their plans to get the state's sluggish economy moving again.
Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds spoke of tax incentives for small businesses, energy issues and their version of a fix for the commonwealth's economically strangling transportation woes.
McDonnell told the gathering of 100 business leaders that the state needs to increase its investment in economic development, noting that it currently spends a third of what is used in North Carolina, for example.
"The private sector is the key to turning this economy around," McDonnell said during the forum sponsored by the Greater Richmond Chamber at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College on Parham Road.
The Republican said he had a plan to fund transportation improvements, and that he had been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business.
Deeds told the audience he was the author of legislation that brought about the Governor's Opportunity Fund, which has led to the creation of 78,000 jobs.
Deeds also said he would break the legislative logjam on transportation with a "honest and straightforward" discussion among members of both parties, which he said was needed to build consensus on the problem.
The Democrat promoted his plans to give small businesses a tax cut for every job created. "When you crate a job, you create a taxpayer," he said, promising to follow in the tradition of Democratic predecessors Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine.
-- Jim Nolan
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Reader Reactions
Oh my god, the “TD” actually wrote a fairly balanced political article! Like Elvis, I’m all shook up.But thanks anyway. However; be advised, with gratitude to the Internet, I review “NEWS’ From Tidewater, Fredericksburg, charl’vl and Washington D. C. on a regular basis. Especially for political articles reported on in the Times Dispatch. It’s amazing how much the “NEWS” can VARY!!! Your legacy is exremely tainted, you know!. But I will give credit when due.
McDonnell, consistent with his mindset stuck in the 1950s, thinks congestion causing irritating toll booths are a great solution to our economic woes. At least Deeds knows better than to consider such foolish, antiquated ideas.
McDonnell does not have a workable plan to fund transportation. His plan relies heavily on an imaginary “surplus” of General Fund money. Does McDonnell know anything about the State’s finances? Is he ignorant of the latest round of closings and layoffs?
This man is either Clueless or Truthless. Maybe a bit of each.
Has Deeds finally gotten his story straight about which taxes he’s not going to raise?
I really hope McDonnell loses.
Respectfully, I disagree with Deeds. He has changed from his original stances when he ran for AG.
He was level headed, and didn’t feel the need to resort to political rhetoric. His positions on firearms, taxes, and education changed when he started running for governor.
I may have voted for him as AG, but I cannot in good faith vote for him as Governor.
“A level-headed, measured comment on an RTD comment board? Shazam!“
Lets just enjoy the moment while it lasts.
A level-headed, measured comment on an RTD comment board? Shazam!
This will soon be drowned out by the bickering, poorly reasoned, and/or misinformed comments.
But thanks for the breath of fresh air.
I’ve heard enough, seen enough and the lesser of the two evils is Deeds. I’ve read both of their histories while in their respective offices. I like neither one, but I don’t trust McDonnell. He can put his family in front of the camera all he wants and how he has “allowed” his daughters to excel. His submission of bills against the rights of women says it all. He’ll never change and I name him Bob “women should know their place” McDonnell.
What a sad choice we have this time. Deeds, all I can say is you have my vote, but you’ve got so much to prove to me if you get in office. McDonnell, if you win, you have much much more to prove to me than Deeds. If this state votes Mc in office, I pray he doesn’t destroy it like Gilmore did. As far as the fix this state is in now wasn’t brought on by Tim Kaine, it has much to do with the economy and loss of revenue to the state. Virginia isn’t the only state in this country going through this, it’s all 50. Some much worse than Virginia.
I just have no room for a man as far right as McDonnell. I wish John Warner were running for Governor.
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