The Dividing Line on Illegal Immigrants

The two candidates also debated the value of mass transit, with Baise repeating his contention that the Connolly-led board has not done enough to alleviate traffic congestion, in particular failing to use its full capacity to sell revenue bonds to fund road and intersection improvements. Nor has the county been aggressive, Baise said, in extracting transportation "proffers," or cash or in-kind contributions of land from developers, to pay for roads.

Connolly said state law limits the county in what it can require from builders. Previous attempts by a Virginia county to impose an "adequate public facilities" requirement on developers did not survive a court challenge.

Connolly also criticized Baise for relying on "The Road More Traveled," a book he described as a "right-wing screed" against mass transit, as the basis for some of his transportation positions. The book, written by two scholars of the Reason Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to free markets and limited government, emphasizes adding lanes to existing roads, eliminating parking subsidies and increasing the efficiency of traffic signals to check congestion.

Connolly said big, new road projects are not practical because available land in the county is scarce. "Where, pray tell, are we going to do that?" he asked. "The middle of Reston?"

Both were vague on the issue of growth in Tysons Corner, where a land-use task force has been deliberating on the density of future development along the planned rail extension to Dulles International Airport.

Baise said that additional density was likely but wasn't sure how much was appropriate. Connolly promised that whatever the increase, it would create urban-size density in Tysons.

Baise, a Falls Church trial lawyer running his first race for elective office, seemed at times uncertain about or unfamiliar with certain basic aspects of county government, at one point confusing sales and income taxes.

The meeting continued the string of largely civil exchanges between the two contenders, who during about two-dozen joint appearances have honed a certain good-humored camaraderie.

Baise praised Connolly's leadership, saying that he "represents the best of the good old tax-and-spend liberal." At which point he gave Connolly a brotherly pat on the back and added: "Now don't have a heart attack."

Connolly praised Baise for a "civil civic debate and dialogue."

Staff writer Amy Gardner contributed to this report.