In Statewide Debate Creigh Deeds Pledges to Raise Taxes; Angrily Attacks

McDonnell Lays out Clear Contrast on Taxes, Spending, Jobs and the Economy

McDonnell’s Positive Vision to Keep Taxes Low and Grow Jobs Trumps Creigh’s Angry Attacks and High Tax Plans

RICHMOND- In the third debate of the gubernatorial contest Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, put his positive vision for new jobs and lower taxes up against Creigh Deeds’ negative attacks, lack of a transportation plan and clear commitment to raising taxes on Virginians in the middle of a recession. By the end of the hour the contrast in the two candidates’ visions and campaigns was once again crystal clear.

Bob McDonnell spent his time stressing his opposition to unfunded federal mandates, making clear his commitment to keeping taxes low, laying out his vision to create new jobs in Virginia, talking about his support for charter schools, performance pay, getting more money into the classroom and awarding 100,000 more degrees over the next 15 years. McDonnell also was clear on his support for environmentally-friendly offshore drilling, encouraging green energy research in Virginia, and looking out for Virginia’s growing senior population.

In stark contrast, Creigh Deeds, now down to just 21 days until Election Day, again failed to lay out any transportation plan at all. He once again told voters they would have to elect him first, with no plan to consider before voting at all, and he then would assemble a panel to tell him to raise taxes. And he would do so immediately. And Creigh continued his negative onslaught against McDonnell, just 24 hours after one Virginia newspaper wrote, “Deeds and his hired campaign staff, arguably, have reached new lows for campaign negativity in Virginia.”

The two candidates will meet for their final debate next Tuesday, October 20th at Roanoke College. The debate will be sponsored by WSLS.