One on one with Creigh Deeds

WARREN: “We appreciate you taking some time to be with us. Four years ago you lost an election to Bob McDonnell by 300+ votes. How do you handle losing, especially that tight an election?

DEEDS: “Losing hurts. No question about it. But frankly I’ve moved past that. I guess when you have disappointments in life the real lesson is how you respond. I’m back on my feet. I’m running for governor right now. The stakes are so much higher.”

WARREN: “But is there some part of you that says, wow, I’m going to get him this time?”

DEEDS: “I don’t even think about it that way. The stakes in this race are so much higher. The future of the commonwealth is at stake.”

WARREN: “Let’s talk some word association here. I’m going to say a word, and if you’ll fire one back at me. The Highlands?”

DEEDS: “The railroad, MeadWestVaco, high school football.

WARREN: “Jobs?”

DEEDS: “Something we desperately need.”

WARREN: “If I say taxes, do you have one word to respond to that?”

DEEDS: “I don’t like to pay them anymore than anyone else does.”

WARREN: “What about the budget?”

DEEDS: “It’s tough right now, it requires responsibility.”

WARREN: “Tim Kaine?”

DEEDS: “Friend, good man.”

WARREN: “Barack Obama?”

DEEDS: “Good man.”

WARREN: “Bob McDonnell?”

DEEDS: “Bob McDonnell is a good family man.”

WARREN: “Anything else you’d like to say about Bob McDonnell, your opponent?”

DEEDS: “I don’t have anything to say about Bob McDonnell.”

WARREN: “The biggest issue facing Virginia?”

DEEDS: “Jobs. We have to fix the economy, jump start the economy and put people back to work.”

WARREN: “What’s your leadership style?”

DEEDS: “My leadership style brings people together and gets things done. I look them in the eye. I’m straightforward. I’m honest and get things done. I’m a problem solver.”

WARREN: “What’s more important, vision or details?”

DEEDS: “Vision.”

WARREN: “And you have that?”

DEEDS: “I think I have a vision to move Virginia forward. The details are important too, but you’ve got to give yourself some flexibility to accomplish the vision.”

WARREN: “If you hadn’t ended up a politician, what would you have, if you could pick any career, what would it have been?”

DEEDS: “A teacher. I practice law and I love that and politics. But if I weren’t doing that, I’d be teaching school.”

WARREN: “Tech or UVA?”

DEEDS: “Virginia Tech. I love UVA.”

WARREN: “You represent UVA.”

DEEDS: “I represent UVA in the State Senate. I have a daughter that went there. I grew up a VT fan. I grew up wearing orange and maroon. I grew up rooting for the Hokies and I can’t change.”

WARREN: “Thanks for the time.”

DEEDS: “Thanks very much.”