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Democratic candidates hold last debate Date published: 5/20/2009
BY CHELYEN DAVIS
ANNANDALE --The three Democrats vying to run for governor held their fifth and final debate here yesterday, a last opportunity to draw contrasts between themselves and make their pitch to primary voters.Former national Democratic operative Terry McAuliffe, who has never held elected office before, cast himself as someone who could bring new ideas to state government, while former Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds repeatedly stressed their experience as state legislators. The debate, held at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus, was sponsored by The Washington Post and News Channel 8, with moderators using both their own questions and some submitted by the public. The Democratic primary is June 9. This has been a race where the differences are more of style than of substance, and in the debate, the three men's answers were similar on several topics. All three promised to improve transportation in Virginia, with Deeds vowing his plan would cover transportation needs statewide and eschew the regional transportation authorities that were prominent parts of recent transportation proposals in Richmond. All three said better roads and transit options are key to bringing more jobs to the state, and that jobs are the most important issue for the next governor. While the three men all advocate alternative-energy proposals, such as wind energy, they differ on whether Virginia should drill for gas and oil offshore. Deeds says yes, Moran and McAuliffe say no, although McAuliffe favors limited exploration for natural gas. The three men touted their support for public education in response to a question about teaching financial literacy in schools. Moran said he advocates preschool, well-paid teachers and small class sizes; Deeds talked about the importance of pre-K education and making college affordable; and McAuliffe said financial education should be part of the high school curriculum. All three of them indicated they would support adoption by gay couples. "When it comes to figuring out how a child should be raised, the emphasis should be on what's the best interest of the child," Deeds said. "I don't have any problem at all with a child being adopted by two loving parents, male, female, same sex, traditional couple."
Not one statement about controlling crime or protecting our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Of course, any solution that they come up with for more jobs or improving VA's economy, will involve a big influx of our tax $$. Deeds does not trust VA's citizens to protect themselves and McAullife is a carpetbagging Hillary wannabe. Moran sees the governorship as a chance to lord over the unwashed masses and a step to higher office.
Two terms for the dems and the road in front of my house is crumbling. Roads all over the state are in disrepair. They had their chance, Let's see if the GOP can fix our roads.
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