Deeds Lays Out Job-Creating Plans, McDonnell's Rhetoric Doesn't Match Record
Press Release
~ Deeds: 'I've spent my career focused creating jobs and educational opportunity.' ~
In front of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, strongly contrasted his plans and record of working to create opportunity with Bob McDonnell's record of focusing on social issues at the expense of kitchen table issues.
"I have spent my career focused creating jobs and educational opportunity," Deeds said. "My opponent has a long record of opposing jobs and education, voting numerous times against providing the resources our schools need. My priorities are clear and consistent with my record.
Deeds highlighted his proposals to jump-start Virginia's economy by offering tax credits for every job created, doubling the Governor's Opportunity Fund and auditing state agencies to save money. McDonnell -- by contrast -- attacked Governor Mark Warner's 2004 budget bill and could not point to a single bill of his that created a job.
Standing before a business audience, McDonnell attacked Warner's 2004 budget that helped to save Virginia's AAA bond rating. McDonnell added that he would find a way to do things better than Warner had. The Warner bipartisan package was supported by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia FREE and other business groups.
In fact, 30 days after that tax hike vote was had, the governor announced that we had a $300 million surplus, McDonnell said. I did not think it was the right vote at the time, because the kind of governor I am going to be is to find ways to do things better, to make government to reform government.
In a post-debate scrum, McDonnell found himself unable to explain any bills he had proposed to create jobs in Virginia. McDonnell stumbled, citing two votes. According to the Washington Post, neither exactly created jobs.
McDonnell also continued to run from his record and rewrite his thesis and backwards views on working women. McDonnell also refused to answer tough questions about his position on equal pay for women in Virginia.
Moderator David Gregory -- who asked McDonnell about his 1989 thesis -- said before the debate to the Associated Press that: "Words matter, positions matter, not only in where they're coming from but in how it influences how they're going to do their job."
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