NORFOLK
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell brought his campaign to Hampton Roads on Saturday, shaking hands and making hand-rolled waffle cones at Doumar’s Cones & Barbecue in Norfolk.
“That’s a great American story,” McDonnell said after talking with Al Doumar, the owner, and his son Thad Doumar. “What a great piece of history.”
McDonnell shook hands with customers inside and at the drive-in and ate a chocolate ice-cream cone.
He faces Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds in the Nov. 3 election. Both are to campaign in Hampton Roads on Sunday.
In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot, McDonnell said his top priority is creating jobs. Despite the recession, he said, Virginia can increase revenue to its coffers without raising any taxes.
“You have to expand economic opportunity,” he said. “I’ve made that the top priority.”
Chuck and Laurie Willman of Suffolk were surprised to see McDonnell as they pulled up to order. He already had their vote.
“I think that his values align with ours on the major issues,” Chuck Willman said. “We lean towards Republican because of less government in our lives.”
Doumar’s, a drive-in on Monticello Avenue, has been open at the location since 1933. About 35 people are employed there.
Thad Doumar said McDonnell probably earned his vote with the visit.
“I always vote for the guy who votes for me most by coming here,” he said.
Ken Daley, an art professor at Old Dominion University, had finished a meal with his family when McDonnell stopped by their table to chat.
Daley said he leans Democratic, but said he wasn’t sure how to pronounce Deeds’ first name.
“I think Deeds has run a terrible campaign,” he said. “Nobody knows him.”
He said neither candidate has explained how they’ll help the state get needed revenue for things such as education and transportation.
“Everyone needs money, but no one’s saying where it’s going to come from,” he said. “When the economy is down, taxes go down. So what are you going to do?”
Earlier in the day, McDonnell attended an event at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Virginia Beach with Brad Butler of the Buffalo Bills and former NFL players Bruce Smith and Steve Beuerlein.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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mc d
is THE man to vote for!
By all means!
Vote for the guy who will tax you some more and who has had the likes of Terry McAuliffe and Bill Clinton smirking in the background of his recent photo ops. Coming soon .... another rock 'em, sock 'em speech by the one and only Barack Obama. After the rousing "speech," sit back and try to figure out what, of any true substance, he REALLY said. More high energy, meaningless drivel from an empty suit.
Bob's got skills
No doubt.
unfortunately.....
they aren't of the caliber that one needs to govern........sigh!
Virginia Cannot Afford Bob McDonnell Or The Republican Delegates
Why is no one challenging Bob McDonnell and the Republican members of the House of Delegates on their political posturing and harmful, political games that caused Virginia to leave $125 million on the federal table; thus forcing our Governor to borrow $250 million for the unemployment program in these very difficult times of high unemployment.
Folks really should read the link to understand that Bob and the Republican delegates put partisan political games above the best interests of all of Virginia’s citizens, both employed and unemployed. There was no unfunded mandate for a permanent program; but rather, a $125 million grant to fund a $20 million program that could have been repealed by a GA vote in 2010!!!
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/05/mcdonnell-ducking-cover-jobless-benefits#comment-727344
Bob McDonnell and the current Republican Delegates have demonstrated that their self-serving views and actions represent a real threat to the stability of Virginia’s economy and the overall wellbeing of all Virginians! One should really ask why Bob McDonnell and the Republican State Delegates and Senators would so willingly throw away $125 million in these really horrific time
One thing is for sure...
Doumars does have great ice cream cones...
Such superficial reporting
I am amazed at how lightly people are taking this election, the superficial reporting of it and the infantile comments that usually make their way onto comment pages like these. There are very important issues to be dealt with. Sen. Deeds is a pragmatist who recognizes that consensus is the only way to govern a state like Virginia. Fortunately he knows how to herd cats and has been recognized as Virginia's most effective legislator by both parties for years. What shocks me so deeply is that seemingly rational people are willing to give governance of our state to a Pat Robertson zombie who has shown his true ultra right-wing colors every day of his life since graduating from CBN University. Was grey matter outlawed in Virginia when I was not looking? Do people have such short memories that they have forgotten that politicians like Mr. McDonnell, who devote their most intense efforts to ensuring corporate profits for their buddies, are the ones who got us in the financial mess we are in?
How sad for us that when a perfect politician is unavailable we're willing to throw out the best of the rest.
in other words
If people choose not to vote for your choice for governor it's because they are taking the election lightly, are irrational, are ultra-right wing or lack grey matter.
Nice.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
You hit the nail on the head. It is definitely irrational to vote for someone with oppressive beliefs about women and gays such as McDonnell. And yes a thesis does matter. I was at the home of James Madison this weekend and found it very interesting how the historian explained that the young James Madison, father of the U.S Constitution, wrote the Constitution according to his beliefs in the manner a college student would write a thesis or term paper.
Its also quite interesting how Mr. Deeds, a very conservative Democrat who has voted with the Republicans on many issues and has an outstanding record in the General Assembly is now a socialist liberal. What a joke. It just goes to show that the Republicans out here on these editorial posts really don't know what they are talking about half the time. Just about every major newspaper in Virginia including the Pilot has endorsed Deeds because they recognize the policies and solutions being put forward by McDewey are unrealistic and unworkable. Some even questionable about their legality.
Great Campaign
"Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell brought his campaign to Hampton Roads on Saturday, shaking hands and making hand-rolled waffle cones at Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue in Norfolk.'
If you want to be Virginia governor, you better put in a stop at Doumar's in Norfolk.
I get the warm fuzzies knowing my next Governor can handle the cone maker.
It is great copy though.
Next thing you know Deeds will show up at Wards Corner and dance with the Hula Hoop lady.
Handling waffles might be
Handling waffles might be considered a great political skill in some circles.
Deeds is gonna show up at the new Five Guys in Hampton, because, you know, that's where all the non-veggie progressives eat? Works in NoVA, must work everywhere else!
Hello, Virginia Democrats, meet your Mark Earley. His name is Creigh Deeds.
At least he's staying in the state
Can't even get Obama to stay in the country!!!
This Is Getting Old
Can't get President Obama off your mind? Don't let your blood pressure go up and have a stroke worrying about him in the White House.Your insurance company want cover it. They will call it A preexising condition. you had it every since Nov. 4,2008.
and yet
You post "the last 8 years" on most stories about the Virginia gubernatorial race.
haha
I don't worry about Obama at all - he'll only be a one term president - then we'll FINALLY be able to get that HOPE and CHANGE
These wingnuts will be worn
These wingnuts will be worn out by 2016