Deeds, McDonnell differ in final debate

It's the last time they'll face off before Virginians head to the polls and the two men who want to be our next governor didn't agree on much.

In a debate hosted by WSLS at Roanoke College, moderator Jay Warren asked off the bat how the two men would pay for transportation improvements.

Democrat Creigh Deeds says his opponent will raid the state's general fund.

"General fund is education, public health and public safety.", said Deeds.

Warren pointed out that's a claim we've heard from Deeds frequently on the campaign trail and asked McDonnell if he would take that money from the general fund.

"Well he's frequently wrong because that's just not the case.", replied McDonnell. McDonnell says he'll raise money by the privatization of ABC stores and from the proceeds of off-shore drilling.

McDonnell says his opponent will raise taxes to pay for transportation.

"What taxes will we see increased under Creigh Deeds? Cigarette tax? Gas tax?", asked Warren of Deeds.

"Anything that involves participation of all the people who use the transportation system.", replied Deeds.

On the budget, Warren mentioned that both candidates have spending proposals in the hundreds of millions of dollars and that Virginia will likely have to make billions more in cuts.

"Are you over promising to Virginians?", asked Warren.

"No, because the difference between Creigh and I is he's making promises and has no way to pay for it.", said McDonnell. "Let's take education for instance. I proposed going from 61 to 65 percent of our budget for the classroom."

"His 65 percent essentially amounts to an unfunded mandate on local school divisions.", replied Deeds.

WSLS political analyst and debate panelist Dr. Bob Denton questioned Deeds as to why his campaign has spent so much effort and money focusing on McDonnell's law school thesis.

"Do you believe this is what Virginians really care about?", asked Denton.

"The thesis is relevant because it puts in the context Bob's record." replied Deeds. "It helps explain why he never wrote a bill to create a job, never wrote a bill to explain an educational opportunity."

"I think what's happened with Mr. Deeds is he doesn't have a transportation plan.", said McDonnell. "He has no comprehensive energy plan."

The hour long debate was the last in the race for governor. The two men now have just fourteen days to attempt to win your vote.