'Our team will do well'

BRANDY STATION — Frequently breaking ranks from his parade spot, Republican candidate for governor Bob McDonnell pounded the pavement and the grass at the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department carnival Thursday.

Temperatures in the mid-80’s and heavy humidity didn’t stop McDonnell from working the crowd on both sides of Fleetwood Heights Road as a group of sign waving supporters on a float held his spot.

McDonnell spoke highly of Culpeper and expressed confidence that local voters will choose him in November over Democratic opponent Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.

“I’ve got a lot of friends here with the commonwealth attorney and some of the local county supervisors who have agreed to help me,” McDonnell said moments before the parade stepped off. “This is a place where I think our team will do well.”

Criticism has emerged for Gov. Tim Kaine, who accepted a job as head of the Democratic National Committee early this year. The critics contend that Kaine’s prominent position is diverting his time and attention away from his role as governor. Asked if he would consider accepting a similar high-profile political role like Kaine’s while serving as governor, McDonnell said no.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “I think it was a mistake for Gov. Kaine to take that position.” I resigned as attorney general in February because I didn’t think I could do both jobs well. I didn’t think it was right to take a taxpayer-funded salary as attorney general and run for governor full time, so that’s why I stepped down and I think it was the right decision.”

McDonnell also reiterated his pledge to re-open shuttered rest stops statewide within 90 days if he is elected. The Virginia Department of Transportation this month closed about 20 rest stops to reduce transportation budget shortages.

“If the governor doesn’t get it done, then we’ll find a way working with the General Assembly to come up with the $9 million,” to open them he said.

McDonnell said closed rest stops — blocked with orange traffic barrels and barricades — send the wrong message to visitors and residents alike.

“The symbolism is that Virginia is closed for business,” McDonnell said. “That’s not a good sign for us and I think we need to change that.” He said an “adopt a rest stop” program similar to the state’s existing adopt-a-highway anti-litter program or using non-violent prison inmates for cleaning and maintenance could be ways of putting the shuttered rest stops back into service at minimal cost.

“There’s some creative things that we could do right now that wouldn’t cost a lot of money to keep them open.”

Before participating in the parade, McDonnell visited the Compassion House, a volunteer-run home for veterans. Afterward, he spent time at the fair chatting with visitors one-on-one.

A Pennsylvania native, the 55-year-old McDonnell grew up in Fairfax. He served in the House of Delegates from 1992 until 2005 and defeated Deeds that year in a slim victory for the attorney general’s seat.