Hot Springs, Va. -- Differences over creating jobs set the tone early in the first debate of the 2009 fall campaign for governor between Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh (Cree) Deeds.
Meanwhile, both candidates said issues such as gay rights, abortion and school prayer would be marginal issues in their campaigns.
Deeds dodged questions from McDonnell about whether he would call on congressional Democrats to oppose cap-and-trade energy legislation intended to curb global warming.
McDonnell said the bill would harm Virginia's coal industry and manufacturers statewide.
McDonnell, meanwhile, defended tax-slashing economic policies of former President George W. Bush, policies that Deeds credited for the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression.
