The Washington Post
May 20, 2009
By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran sought to isolate rival Terry McAuliffe in the final debate of the primary campaign yesterday by trying to portray him as someone who has exaggerated his business record, inflated his campaign promises and dissembled about his campaign contributors.
"Tell me, Terry, how is this a credible, positive campaign? And how will Virginia voters trust that you'll care about their jobs and creating any new jobs?" Moran asked pointedly.
With three weeks to the June 9 primary, the debate mirrored the closing themes of a hard-fought campaign, with McAuliffe maintaining his role as the center of attention as he wages an outsider bid to become the Democratic standard-bearer in a general election race against Republican Robert F. McDonnell.
After absorbing repeated jabs, McAuliffe dismissed the critiques as "divisive politics of destruction that people are sick and tired of," and he asked his opponents to redouble their efforts to focus on ideas so the party can emerge from the primary united.
"That's what Democratic primaries are all about," he said.
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