Politics & Government

Between Jabs, Terry McAuliffe, Ken Cuccinelli Talk Jobs in Norfolk

Virginia's gubernatorial candidates detailed their jobs plans at Tuesday forum but also found time to take shots at one another.

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe discussed their plans for fueling the economy during a luncheon Tuesday in Norfolk.

The two candidates appeared separately during the jobs summit hosted by Tidewater Community College to promote their own job growth agendas and take shots at their opponent’s, a strategy that’s becoming common in the months leading up to the November election.

According to The Washington Post, McAuliffe emphasized his plans to support the Commonwealth’s community colleges and bolster its workforce in areas that need more employees.

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McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said his Republican opponent would likely scare away businesses with his views on abortion and gay marriage, once again highlighting the Attorney General’s conservative stance on social issues.

But Cuccinelli countered it would be McAuliffe who would keep businesses away because of decisions he made withGreenTech Automotive, McAuliffe's former eco-friendly car company currently under investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Cuccinelli charged McAuliffe hung Virginia out to dry when he chose to locate a GreenTech plant in Mississippi instead of Virginia, losing the Commonwealth jobs in the process.

The Attorney General said he would drive economic growth with a jobs plan he unveiled in May, which would reduce business and income taxes by more than $1 billion a year.

According to The Virginia Pilot, McAuliffe took aim at the tax cut, calling it “radical” and “fiscally irresponsible.”

Both McAuliffe and Cuccinelli said the expansion of the Panama Canal could mean big things for the Port of Virginia.

The candidates have only agreed to three official debates before the Nov. 5 election.

The first, held on July 20 in Hot Springs, Va., quickly turned ugly, with both candidates getting personal.

The next debate is scheduled for Sept. 25 in McLean and will be sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

But the candidates will participate Friday in another forum with business leaders in Manassas. It will be sponsored by the Prince William and Fredericksburg Chambers of Commerce. 


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