Deeds and McDonnell Target McDonnell Image

Called Too Conservative by Democrat, Republican Paints Himself as Moderate

The Virginia governor's race continued to take shape Tuesday around Republican Robert F. McDonnell's attempts to shore up his image as a pro-business moderate and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds's effort to portray his opponent as an election-year convert who is too conservative for Virginia.

McDonnell appeared in Northern Virginia with Democratic business leader Sheila Johnson. Deeds spent the day in Hampton Roads, and his campaign criticized McDonnell for evading questions during a televised debate Monday night about global warming and whether Republican or Democratic presidents have done a better job leading the country in recent times.

Appearing with McDonnell in Tysons Corner, Johnson told a roomful of about 50 women that McDonnell is the more capable candidate.

"I did my homework," Johnson said at the Marriott Tysons Corner. "Bob is not only the best, but the smartest. His message resonated with me. It's not about party; it's about policy and the person."

Johnson became the subject of controversy last month when she made fun of Deeds's halting speaking style, and Deeds spokesman Jared Leopold criticized McDonnell on Tuesday for continuing to associate with Johnson, a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and among the most prominent African American businesswomen in the country. Johnson is a Democrat who supported President Obama and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).

Johnson told supporters Tuesday that she would not be "intimidated" by Democrats who are angry that she is supporting a Republican. She said that Democrats and independents need to "trust your instincts" and vote for McDonnell.

McDonnell dismissed questions about Johnson's description of Deeds's speaking style, saying that Johnson had apologized and that the matter was over. He also continued to try fending off Deeds's accusation, voiced repeatedly during the debate, that McDonnell is an ideological conservative who is sounding a moderate note on issues such as transportation, school funding and even social services to get elected.

The Deeds campaign was particularly critical Tuesday of McDonnell's response to a question about his views on climate change, in which the Republican did not say he agrees with the science of global warming. The campaign also criticized McDonnell for his answer to the debate's opening question, which asked which party's presidents and governors have been better for Virginia. McDonnell's answer: both.

"Bob was pretty clear on that question, although he didn't want to admit it," Deeds spokesman Jared Leopold said. "He made it pretty clear that he preferred the George Bush and Jim Gilmore model over the Barack Obama and Mark Warner model. It always seems like he's not willing to admit where he really stands."

Deeds was aggressive during the debate Monday in accusing McDonnell of pretending to be moderate in order to win election. But he also struggled, as he often does, to complete his thoughts without stammering. Deeds's difficulty articulating himself has become a cause for concern among Democrats beyond Johnson, as has his ability to reach Northern Virginians whose most pressing concerns include traffic and school quality.

Deeds chose to spend the day after the general election's first televised debate largely out of view, while McDonnell traveled to Northern Virginia, a largely moderate population center and home to more than one in four registered voters in Virginia. At his appearance with Johnson in Tysons Corner, McDonnell captured the attention of at least a half-dozen media outlets.

McDonnell, who focused heavily during the debate on his plans not to raise taxes and Deeds's willingness to do so, said Tuesday that he was disappointed in Deeds's "divisive" campaign tactics.

"I know he's somewhat desperate," McDonnell said. "He has had trouble articulating some of his viewpoints."