Where candidates are on the Fourth

Among the campaign stops Bob McDonnell will make today is a visit to Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach around 6:15 this evening for an Independence Day celebration.

McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor, will also attend other July 4th celebrations in Northern Virginia, including the Fairfax City Parade this morning with incumbent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (a Republican running for re-election).

Later this morning, McDonnell, Bolling and the GOP's attorney general nominee, state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli of Fairfax County, will walk together in the Dale City Parade.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Creigh Deeds will also take time today to visit voters today at July 4th events in Northern and Central Virginia.

As of this morning, McDonnell, Bolling and Deeds, a state Senator from Bath County, were the only candidates for statewide office to release public schedules detailing their visits today.

Democrats Jody Wagner (lieutenant governor), Steve Shannon (attorney general) had not shared their July 4th itineraries by Saturday morning, nor did Cuccinelli.

McDonnell's campaign also released a holiday video message taped by the candidate and his daughter Jeanine.

-- Julian Walker

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Obama's health care army marches

As the White House makes its push to reform the nation's health care system, President Barack Obama's Organizing for America group is gearing up to make the case in Virginia.

One day after Obama held a health care forum in Northern Virginia attended by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, Organizing for America announced its Virginia staff members in an e-mail.

Though the team was just introduced today, group members have already been working in the field to build support for Obama's plan.

Last weekend, they held more than 50 community events around the state focused on health care.

Obama has pledged to improve access to, and the affordability of, health care. His plan also includes a public-option as an alternative to private medical insurance. That proposal has drawn rebuke from Republicans.

Also Thursday, Organizing for America sent an e-mail to supporters seeking donations to help pay for a health care-themed television commercial.

-- Julian Walker

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Deeds takes stand on biz issues raised by GOP

Perhaps the biggest news out of a conference call today in which Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds announced a group of business supporters was his response to a question about employment law.

His Republican opponent, Bob McDonnell, has sought to define Deeds as the less business friendly candidate of the two by linking him to union groups who support the so-called card check bill. The pending federal legislation would make it easier for workers to organize unions through a secret ballot process.

As he has in the past, Deeds said that card check is a federal issue, not a state one.

"The reality of the card check legislation is this," Deeds said, "it'll never cross my desk as governor for signature, veto or amendment. Bob keeps raising it, I'm wondering whether he wants to run for Congress. Maybe if he does, he ought to announce and I might even send him a check."

McDonnell and other Republicans contend that a card check law would harm businesses responsible for job creation that spurs economic growth.

Deeds also said he supports Virginia's right to work law. That statute essentially says that a worker cannot be denied employment for their union status, whether a member or not.

"There's no question the right to work law has brought jobs to Virginia," he said.

Shortly before the conference call, the McDonnell campaign sent an e-mail to reporters noting that Deeds' campaign had recently received a $500,000 contribution from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a large labor group that supports the card check concept. The McDonnell camp also noted that Deeds has been endorsed by the Service Employees International Union, which it claims supports the repeal of the state's right to work law.

"It's clear that national labor unions are willing to spend every penny of their members' compulsory union dues to elect a candidate who has vowed to be their 'partner' in the governor's mansion," McDonnell campaign chairman Ed Gillespie said in a statement.

The Virginia Republican Party, meanwhile, sent an e-mail today critical of Deeds' position on another federal issue, energy legislation commonly known as the cap and trade bill.

During the conference call, Deeds said candidates for governor "ought to be focused on ways to rebuild the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia."

"That's what this election is going to be about," he added. "The task of the next governor is going to be to restore confidence in the economy."

UPDATE: Details about Deeds' business coalition and its members can be seen here.

-- Julian Walker

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McDonnell to Deeds: Let's have 10 debates

Bob McDonnell wants plenty of face time with Creigh Deeds this year.

The Republican gubernatorial nominee today challenged his Democratic rival for the office to a series of debates across Virginia.

If past precedent is an indication, McDonnell shouldn't hold his breath while awaiting a response.

Statewide candidates for office typically participate in a handful of debates. But there is usually at least one candidate who calls for more debates than are scheduled.

Just last month, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner urged incumbent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, to agree to a series of monthly debates. At the time, a Bolling campaign spokesman said the candidate will participate in an as yet to be determined number of debates.

So far, the candidates for governor have agreed to one debate: a forum hosted by the Virginia Bar Association at The Homestead resort in Hot Springs on July 25.

In addition to that event, McDonnell wants debates in Hampton Roads, Fairfax, Richmond, Roanoke, Southwest Virginia, Arlington, Charlottesville and Washington D.C.

A spokesman for Deeds said the campaign would issue a statement about debate plans later today.

UPDATE: Deeds spokesman Jared Leopold issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the candidate will face McDonnell in several forums, but didn't commit to a specific number of debates.

-- Julian Walker

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GOP robo call targets Nye

While U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd Dist., spends part of his July 4th holiday break on constituent services, his Republican detractors are sponsoring an automated call critical of the Congressman.

The robo call (listen here; 447K wav file) takes aim at Nye's votes last month on two bills, drawing a contrast between pay raises he supported for military personnel and those for foreign service officers, which Nye formerly served as.

The call audio claims that Nye's vote authorized 3.4 percent pay raises for military members, but 23 percent salary increases for foreign service officers. Sponsored by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the call will be targeted at thousands of voters in Hampton Roads over the next week.

Democrats note that the foreign service pay raise legislation is intended to correct a compensation disparity between officers serving stateside and those working abroad. It is also a component of a push by President Barack Obama to enhance diplomatic efforts across the globe as part of a larger foreign policy strategy.

The NRCC has been highly critical of Nye and other Virginia Democrats in Congress this year -- it funded a radio ad attacking Nye over another vote earlier this spring -- as the GOP strives to rebound from recent election defeats.

Nye beat incumbent Republican Thelma Drake last November. His victory along with several other Democratic candidates gave the party a majority of seats in Virginia's congressional delegation.

During Congress' holiday break, meanwhile, Nye will host a veterans job fair in Norfolk. The event is to be held at VFW Post 4809, 5728 Bartee St. in Norfolk from noon-5 p.m. Thursday.

"Our veterans leave the military with skills and experience that can be incredibly valuable in the private sector. A lot of business owners in Hampton Roads are veterans themselves, so they know the value of hiring other vets," Nye said in a statement about the job fair.

"I've been working in Washington to help create jobs for veterans. This job fair is another way to help bring veterans together with employers to start creating jobs in Hampton Roads now," he added.

Nye is a freshman member of Congress. His district includes precincts in the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton and Accomack and Northampton counties.

-- Julian Walker

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Labor group backs Deeds

The Service Employees International Union has endorsed Creigh Deeds' bid for governor on behalf of its more than 5,000 Virginia members, the group announced in a statement today.

Deeds, a state Senator from Bath County, is the Democratic nominee for governor. He faces Republican Bob McDonnell in November's election. In the 2005 attorney general election, McDonnell narrowly beat Deeds after a recount.

"Senator Deeds has an impressive record fighting on behalf of working families and has earned his reputation as a consensus builder who the working families of Virginia can count on," SEIU secretary-treasurer Anna Burger said in a statement.

The endorsement comes not long after a report that the union is backing an effort by the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants to explore organizing those workers into a collective bargaining unit.

Both campaigns have been fairly quiet since Deeds won the June 9 primary (McDonnell received the GOP nomination last month), focusing on raising money before midnight tonight, the deadline for campaign contributions in this reporting period.

But there has been some activity from both sides.

In the last week, McDonnell went up on television with a new campaign ad and unveiled a small business plan.

Today, the former attorney general and state Delegate from Virginia Beach spoke to a group of educators at a conference in Williamsburg. Meanwhile, Deeds visited several Norfolk businesses Monday.

UPDATE: Responding to the endorsement, McDonnell's campaign issued a statement claiming that Deeds' stand on labor issues are not in the best interest of Virginia workers.

-- Julian Walker

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VA GOP chief: Republicans will continue to track Kaine's travels

State Republican chairman Pat Mullins isn't throwing his hands up in defeat after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine refused to release more details about his out-of-state political travels, but he also won't take the governor to court to try to force him to share the information.

instead, Mullins said in a statement this week, Virginia Republicans will monitor the governor's comings and goings as best they can and draw public attention to them.

"We will continued to scour the Internet for news reports from publications across the United States that may catch glimpses of Tim Kaine during his apparently busy political travel schedule," Mullins said.

"Additionally, we are in the process of contacting the Republican Chairmen of the state parties of each of the forty-nine other states to ask them to be on alert for the presence of the Governor of Virginia when he appears at a DNC function in their far flung zip codes," he added.

The Virginia Republican Party recently submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Kaine's office seeking to learn more about his itinerary as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

He is not the first Virginia governor to hold a leadership role in a national political party in the midst of his term. Former Gov. Jim Gilmore became chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2001, his final year in office.

Kaine was named to the partisan political post earlier this year. At the time, he said his travels as party chairman would be largely restricted to weekends and off-hours. Yet, Mullins said, "it appears that the vast majority of his known trips have occurred during the normal work week."

Among the places Kaine has been spotted recently are North Carolina, Florida, Texas and Illinois.

Kaine has said that he is willing to reveal his travel plans when asked. His office, however, hasn't been so forthcoming. It releases a weekly schedule of his Virginia travels, but does not provide details about his other trips. And administration officials have been reluctant to share much more.

Mullins takes credit for one victory in this saga.

Kaine has pledged to have the DNC reimburse the state for the estimated $10,000 in travel and lodging costs for the State Police troopers assigned to his security detail who have accompanied him on political trips. The Executive Protection Unit travels with the governor wherever he goes, including personal and political trips.

-- Julian Walker

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House of Delegates contests set

The pickins' on the Nov. 3 ballot are anything but slim for voters across South Hampton Roads tracking local legislative races.

State election officials today published a list of candidates seeking election to the General Assembly. Ten of the local contests feature competition and six incumbents are running unopposed.

Here's the final roster for local House of Delegates races:

- In the 21st District that includes portions of Virginia Beach, Democratic Del. Bobby Mathieson faces a challenge from Beach City Councilman Ron Villanueva.

- Democratic Del. Bill Barlow is running to extend his 17-year stint in the legislature. Republican Stan D. Clark, an attorney and Isle of Wight County Supervisor, and Independent Green candidate Albert P. Burckard Jr., who previously ran for Congress, are vying for the 64th District seat. It includes sections of the cities of Franklin, Williamsburg and the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton and Surry.

- In the 80th District, Republican Jennifer Lee and Democrat Matthew James are running to succeed former Del. Ken Melvin, who left the legislature in the Spring to become a judge.

- Del. Harry R. "Bob" Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, faces challenges from Democrat Peter Schmidt and independent candidate John Parmele Jr., who ran against Purkey four years ago. Purkey has been in the General Assembly since 1986.

- Freshman Del. Joe Bouchard, D-Virginia Beach, faces a rematch with Republican Chris Stolle, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2007 election, in the 83rd District.

- Longtime Del. Bob Tata, R-Virginia Beach, is being challenged in the 85th District by Constitution Party candidate French Mackes Jr.

- Norfolk Democratic Del. Paula Miller has opposition from Republican John N. Amiral, a Navy veteran, in the race for the 87th District seat.

- Running against Del. Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk, in the 89th District is independent candidate Anthony J. "Trip" Triplin.

- In the 90th District, Del. Algie T. Howell Jr., D-Norfolk, faces a challenge from Republican Jason E. Call.

- Two challengers are trying to unseat Del. Lynwood W. Lewis Jr., D-Accomack, in the 100th District. They are Republican Melody Himel Scalley and independent candidate John W. Smith.

- Incumbents running unopposed include Dels. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, (76th District); Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake, (77th District); John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, (78th District); Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth, (79th District); Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, (81st District); and Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach (84th District).

-- Julian Walker

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Coming soon: another McDonnell campaign commercial

Republican Bob McDonnell will fire the latest salvo in the 2009 governor's race air wars when his newest television spot goes into rotation in markets across the state later this week.

Details about  the theme of McDonnell's ad or the size of the buy are unclear. It will air in Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Bristol.

Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds' campaign doesn't plan to respond with its own TV ad at this stage, but his staff launched a preemptive strike by revealing Tuesday that the ad was coming before McDonnell's people could.

Alerting supporters about the spot in an e-mail, Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey said it is a sign that McDonnell and national Republicans are concerned about the race.

Abbey then asked recipients to donate money to Deeds before the upcoming June 30 fundraising deadline, and took a few shots at what he called McDonnell's "extreme social and economic agenda."

In response, McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin chided the Deeds campaign for "going negative right at the start of this campaign. Virginians want new ideas, not baseless attacks."

Recent polling has shown a tight race between Deeds, a state Senator from Bath County, and McDonnell, a former attorney general and state legislator from Virginia Beach.

Deeds and McDonnell face each other in November for control of the Governor's Mansion in a rematch of the 2005 attorney general election which McDonnell narrowly won after a recount.

-- Julian Walker

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Update on new comment functions.

Facebook face-off

The Virginia Beach-based state Senate seat Republican Ken Stolle holds isn't yet vacant (it won't be this year unless Stolle wins his bid for city Sheriff), but already one declared candidate for that office is the target of an Internet-based attack.

Beach businessman Jeff McWaters, who is campaigning to replace Stolle, is the focus of a Facebook page that questions his conservative Republican credentials and dubs the candidate "Terry McWarner" in an attempt to link him to Democrats Mark Warner and Terry McAuliffe.

A prominent GOP donor who founded Amerigroup Corp., McWaters is among a group of people eyeing the potential state Senate opening. If Stolle is elected Sheriff, a special election would be held to find his replacement.

State records show that McWaters has given almost exclusively to Republican candidates and causes since 2000 with an exception -- he gave a gift worth $225 to then Gov. Warner in 2003. Likewise, federal records show McWaters has primarily contributed money to Republicans, but has given to a few Democrats over the years.

When reached recently, McWaters said he was not aware of the Facebook page that is critical of him. He brushed aside questions about his commitment to GOP principles and candidates, shifting the conversation to his own recently launched Facebook page.

In addition to McWaters, Beach City Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Stolle's seat.

Democrat Jeff Breit, an attorney and former state party official, is also running. And former state Sen. Moody E. "Sonny" Stallings Jr., who lost the seat to Stolle in the 1991 election, has expressed some interest in a run.

UPDATE: Breit has withdrawn from the race. In an e-mail to supporters Monday, he cited his law firm workload and parenting responsibilities (Breit has four children under age 20) as factors in his decision.

-- Julian Walker and Deirdre Fernandes

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Update on new comment functions.