Big Guns Roll In Virginia Governor Race

Some big names are lending their weight to Virginia's candidates for governor.

Senator John McCain rallied with Republican Bob McDonnell Saturday and former President Bill Clinton appeared with Democrat Creigh Deeds today. Former President Bill Clinton exhorted those at the rally to get out the vote. "Don't you let this election be determined by the denial strategy of those who only trigger the fear factor because the others are too busy to vote," said Clinton.

Deeds Campaign managers say they are trying in these last few weeks to rally the democratic voice and tap into the networks that were so important in swinging the state for President Obama last November. Some feel this is all a bit late.

Jayne Byrne is a volunteer, she registered 1,000 voters last year. "I believe they waited a little too long to put some meat behind the Virginia campaign, they have now," said Byrne. Byrne also says the energy level has dropped dramatically since the presidential election, "people got campaigned out."

Byrne attributes that to the historic nature of that race, and says organizers have since focused on policies rather than campaigns. But other organizers are still optimistic.
"We know there are enough democrats in this area to win," said Lee Betton.

Recent polls show Deeds' opponent, Bob McDonnell, ahead in the race. The two will meet tonight in Salem Virginia for the final debate of the campaign.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...