Photos & Video: McDonnell Kicks Off Virginia Tour At Short Pump Rally

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell kicked off a whirlwind 25-stop, 5-day tour of the Commonwealth Thursday morning at the Silver Diner in Short Pump. The breakfast event drew a crowd of several hundred people who came to see Bill Bolling speak alongside the former Attorney General. Bolling, the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, focused on the […]

October 29, 2009; 2:34 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Bolling, the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, focused on the economy in his speech, saying “tough times require tough leadership.” He spoke on his confidence in McDonnell’s ability to lead Virginia over the next four years and urged voters to come out to the polls on Tuesday, November 3.

McDonnell highlighted his support of troops abroad and to small business owners. “People want to be inspired and lifted up to know that there are people who care about their fiscal future and are going to allow the private sector to grow,” McDonnell said. “We want people to follow their God-given talents to pursue the American dream.”

He went on to encourage more voters to come out, referencing the low voter turnout of the race four years ago. “In 2005, only 47% of the people of Virginia cared enough about the [gubernatorial] race to show up. I think we can do better. Life is controlled by those who show up.”

While a recent poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University gives McDonnell a 10-12-point lead over Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds, McDonnell emphasized the need to “play the game like we’re 10 points behind.”

McDonnell left the rally at approximately 8:30 a.m. for the second stop in his tour at a campaign center in Danville.

Our video and photos from the event can be seen below.

Click here to view the embedded video.