Danville supporters host barbecue luncheon for Deeds

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds stopped in Danville on Friday afternoon — with his son in tow — for some campaign support and a plateful of Short Sugar’s barbecue.

Greeted by enthusiastic applause after introductions by Danville Councilman Larry Campbell and House of Delegates candidate Seward Anderson, Deeds thanked the group of about 40 supporters at the Danville Science Center and said that there was much work left to do before Nov. 3.

“I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” Deeds said. “Thirty-nine days left — that’s all we have. We’re gonna be all right, but we’ve got a lot of work to get done … With your help, we’re gonna prove that we all count.”

Deeds vowed to jumpstart the economy, to put Virginians back to work and to “be the governor that quits talking about leaving no child behind.” He spoke about the importance of making Virginia the leader in green and alternative energy and mentioned improving transportation infrastructure.

Deeds also spoke about his time spent living in Danville and afterward worked the room, shaking hands with his lively supporters. His son Gus, 20, is taking the semester off from the College of William & Mary to join his dad on the campaign trail for what Deeds jokingly called “the Gus/Deeds grazing tour of 2009.”

“So many memories come back to me whenever I come back to or close to Danville,” Deeds said. “If I hadn’t had experience here I don’t know that anything else would’ve happened in my life the way it did.”

After the lunch, Deeds spoke more about his transportation plan. He has been widely criticized for saying he was open to tax increases to fund transportation, something that played a large part in his not winning an endorsement from former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, according to Wilder’s statement Thursday.

“Here’s what I know,” Deeds said. “You’ve got to be honest and straightforward. People are sick and tired of politicians playing games with them about issues. Transportation is an issue and right now I think it’s the biggest impediment to economic advancement in Virginia …

“You’ve got to make the improvements that’s going to improve the quality of life everywhere. What I’m willing to say, what I’ve said is that everything’s on the table because everything is on the table. We have to deal with this issue honestly and it’s got to be dealt with I think next year. It’s the quickest way for us to jumpstart the economy; it’s the quickest way for us to create jobs.”

In response to Wilder’s endorsement snub — the Democrat did not endorse either candidate — Deeds said Wilder has not endorsed him in the past, either.

“Doug Wilder’s been a friend of mine,” he said. “I’ve known him for a long time. I respect him; he’s a historic figure. And I look forward to seeking his advice when I’m the 71st governor of the commonwealth of Virginia.”

As to whether Wilder’s statement could affect potential voters, Deeds was not sure.

“I guess time will tell,” he said. “I don’t know.”

Because Deeds came from Southside — a region that he said lacked opportunity and was “often forgotten” — he said he had the experience to create opportunity all over Virginia.

“Danville’s a great little community,” he said, “well it’s not so little. It’s a great community … The econ-omy’s changed and we’ve got to change with it. We’ve got to create opportunity for job training to build the smartest work force in the world.”

Sheila Baynes, the chairwoman of Danville’s Democratic Party, said before the event how excited she was to have Deeds back in town.

“I think now this is a neck-and-neck race and I really believe this is (Deeds’) to win,” Baynes said. “By Election Day I expect him to come out on top. He’s come from behind before. With all of this movement this late, it’s going in his favor.”