Romney stumps for McDonnell at Beach lunch

VIRGINIA BEACH

A day after his Democratic rival drew thousands to a Norfolk arena by bringing President Barack Obama to town, Republican candidate for governor Bob McDonnell came to Hampton Roads with a political celebrity of his own to address a jubilant but smaller audience of supporters.

Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds had exhorted his audience Tuesday to work hard to overcome polls showing him significantly behind in the race.

McDonnell, flanked by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, on Wednesday talked of what his victory would mean and thanked supporters for taking him this far.

"I really think we're in a position to win next week because we focused this campaign on the issues that Virginia voters have told me now for years that they really care about," McDonnell told more than 300 people at a Westin hotel luncheon that raised $150,000 for his campaign.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, told the group that Virginia's election - one of only two governor's races this year - is important nationally. After Obama carried the commonwealth in the 2008 presidential election, Republicans have wanted a Virginia victory this year to reinforce their clout in the state and weaken the president's political stature.

"You might ask why all these Republicans, from Haley Barbour down in Mississippi to Mitt Romney from Massachusetts to Mike Huckabee from Arkansas - why are they all coming here to weigh in on this campaign?" Romney told the crowd. "The reason is this state means a lot to us."

Hard economic times are making people rethink the direction of their state, he said.

"When everything is going swimmingly, people tend to choose their elected officials based on celebrity and whether the sound bites sounded cool," Romney said. "But when things are tough like they are now, they switch."

McDonnell restated his campaign promises to revive the state's economy by promoting job growth and not raising taxes.

"It's not more government spending and more entitlements and more cap-and-trade and unfunded mandates or even federalized health care," he said. "Those things... are not going to lead to prosperity."

He drew a loud cheer when he restated his promise to push for drilling for oil and gas off Virginia's coasts.

McDonnell also argued that the state isn't aggressive in attracting new jobs. He jabbed at a common Deeds theme that the state has been honored for being among the best-managed and most business-friendly during the past two terms of Democratic governors.

"We can no longer rely solely on our good ratings and say, 'Hey, we're a good place to do business - come here,' " he said.

While McDonnell expressed confidence he would win, he also cautioned his supporters that they should not be complacent. He is scheduled to spend the next six days campaigning around the state with the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor, Bill Bolling, and attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, who both were at the luncheon.

"It's all about who shows up on game day," McDonnell said. "It doesn't matter what your roster looks like. Even the Redskins look really good on paper."

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com