Health care discussed in final gubernatorial TV clash

By Michael Sluss

SALEM

Neither a technology hiccup nor the best efforts of moderators could budge Virginia's candidates for governor too far from their well-honed talking points Tuesday night in the final debate of the campaign at Roanoke College.

McDonnell, a Republican who leads in public opinion polls, refused to be baited into extended discussions about social issues and said his agenda would be dominated by issues such as jobs, the economy and education.

Deeds, a Democratic state senator from Bath County, said he would govern in the mold of recent Democratic governors and attack the state's transportation funding crisis, but he shed no more light on how he would generate revenue for the state's cash-strapped road system.

The candidates plowed some new ground when they were asked about proposals in Congress to overhaul the health care system.

McDonnell said he would seize an opportunity to opt Virginia out of a so-called "public option" requirement if Congress gives the states such flexibility. Deeds said he would consider seeking an exemption, even though many Democrats are demanding a public option.

"A public option isn't required, in my view," Deeds said. "I think we have to do two things with health care. We have to reduce costs so more people can afford insurance. We have to increase coverage. I share those broad goals. I don't think the public option is necessary in any plan, and I would certainly consider opting out if that were available to Virginia. "

Deeds, who will campaign with President Barack Obama next week in Hampton Roads, said after the debate that he wasn't necessarily opposed to a public option.

McDonnell, the former state attorney general, voiced doubts about the direction of the health care debate, saying, " I believe we've got the best doctors, the best hospitals, the best research and development for pharmaceuticals in all the world, and the last thing we want to do is turn that over to the federal government."

The debate got off to a clumsy start when a technical malfunction disrupted audio feed. For several minutes, Deeds and McDonnell could be heard only by the 400 spectators in the auditorium while reporters, campaign staffers and the TV audience were left to guess what the candidates were saying.

Once the sound was restored, the candidates launched into a familiar fight over transportation funding.

McDonnell dismissed suggestions that his funding plan relied too heavily on unreliable revenue sources and money that now goes to essential state services such as education, health care and public safety.

"I know that it's going to take a bipartisan solution," he said.

McDonnell repeatedly criticized Deeds for being open to tax increases for transportation. But Deeds would not pinpoint specific taxes that could be increased - even when WSLS anchor Jay Warren ticked off a list - saying "anything that has a nexus to transportation is on the table."

McDonnell also took on questions about the 1989 graduate thesis he wrote while pursuing master's and law degrees at Regent University. Deeds has said the document raises questions about McDonnell's attitudes about working women, gay rights and other issues.

Deeds defended his decision to relentlessly attack McDonnell on the issue, saying, "It explains why he has singularly focused on a social agenda during his years in office."

McDonnell said Deeds' attacks were symptomatic of a "backwards- looking" campaign that is short on policy solutions.

McDonnell defended his support for abortion restrictions, including a ban on late-term procedures commonly called "partial birth" abortions. When asked when abortion should be legal, McDonnell said, "I'm going to follow the law.... The law is very clear on when it should be allowed."

Virginia Tech communications professor and administrator Bob Denton, who also put questions to the candidates, tried twice to pin them down on how they would pay for new spending proposals at a time when the state government is reeling from billions in budget cuts.

Both candidates said they would set priorities and push for efficiency audits to save money. Neither cited a program he would cut.