Candidates for governor clash on taxes, Obama

[Blue_Tires]

Published: October 13, 2009

Democrat R. Creigh Deeds last night blasted Republican gubernatorial rival Bob McDonnell as a "smooth talker" who runs from his conservative roots, while McDonnell tied Deeds to the disputed policies of President Barack Obama.

Appearing in their first debate on statewide television and radio, the candidates sparred over veracity and civility in politics but broke little new ground on the issues that have defined their increasingly bitter contest -- a contest that the latest polls show McDonnell still leading.

Deeds, a state senator from Bath County looking for traction in the final three weeks of the race, again fended off McDonnell's claims that he has no plan for fixing the cash-starved transportation system, other than raising taxes.

"The boogeyman he's going to raise every time is taxes," Deeds said of McDonnell.

Deeds, who has not ruled out higher taxes, said he would first seek bipartisan consensus on highway spending among lawmakers, business leaders and other interests.

McDonnell, a former attorney general and a former delegate from Virginia Beach, again insisted his no-new-taxes approach can work, and that raising billions through debt-financed bonds and the sale of state liquor stores is a viable remedy for roads.

Of additional taxes, McDonnell said, "Our families can't afford it. Our businesses can't afford it. Our seniors can't afford it."

The one-hour debate, which originated from the Chesterfield County studios of WCVE public television, was largely civil, though Deeds on at least two occasions accused McDonnell of lying about the Democrat's record, including inaccurately depicting Deeds as a supporter of federal cap-and-trade legislation opposed by industry.

"Candidate McDonnell is a smooth talker," said Deeds, alluding to McDonnell's controversial 1989 law-school thesis in which he is critical of working women, contraception and gay people.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS131_20091012-233002/299058/#comments