Deeds , is struggling to connect with some business leaders, an influential voting bloc that has been key to Democratic victories in recent elections.
With major backing from unions, conflicting promises on taxes and no details on how to fix the state's mounting transportation crisis, Deeds is not swaying some business-minded voters who are jittery about the economy and who say they don't like what they see as Deeds's uncertain positions on a host of critical state and federal issues.
With major backing from unions, conflicting promises on taxes and no details on how to fix the state's mounting transportation crisis, Deeds is not swaying some business-minded voters who are jittery about the economy and who say they don't like what they see as Deeds's uncertain positions on a host of critical state and federal issues.
At the debate, both candidates appealed directly to one of the state's largest business groups at a debate in Tysons Corner sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Many said afterward that Deeds failed to connect with the business-minded voters who helped elect the last two Democratic governors, Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine.
"He never addressed the issue of 'What is your plan,' " said C. Daniel Clemente, a real estate investor from McLean who supported Warner in 2001 but said he left Thursday's debate feeling "very sorry" for Deeds. " 'I'm for education' -- what's your plan? 'I'm for transportation. I'm going to bring everybody together.' To do what?"
Republicans have long held the advantage with Virginia's business community by promising low taxes, less burdensome regulations and opposition to organized labor. Warner and Kaine helped lure many of those votes to the Democratic column by making the case that Virginia's business-friendly environment has as much to do with the quality of public schools, state universities, ports and highways as with those other, traditionally Republican priorities. Warner and Kaine also portrayed their opponents as ideologically driven conservatives less focused on the practical issues confronting the state's business community.
This year, Deeds has tried much the same strategy, portraying McDonnell as an out-of-touch social conservative who, as a state lawmaker for 14 years, focused on social issues such as abortion restrictions more than job creation or protecting schools.
"He's been focused on a social agenda," Deeds said at the Thursday debate. "That's what's driven him the last 18 years."
The difficulty for Deeds is that McDonnell has focused almost exclusively on economic issues in his candidacy. He has promised to pursue oil and gas exploration off the coast of Virginia. He has offered a tax credit for businesses that create jobs. He has laid out a plan to pay for traffic improvements by selling Virginia's state-run liquor stores and adding tolls to highways. And he has taken a strong stand against federal proposals to restrict carbon emissions, require small businesses to provide health coverage and eliminate the secret ballot in union elections.
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