Down the stretch

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Debates, while must-see TV during presidential campaigns, are less consequential in state elections. Viewership is much smaller -- only a few outlets air them, leaving the masses free to indulge in other diversions -- and perfunctory follow-up coverage is the norm unless a candidate commits a gaffe or goes ballistic.

Neither happened in Tuesday's final debate between former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, his Democratic opponent.

Although they mostly reiterated familiar positions, the issue of health-care reform intruded. McDonnell, echoing the party line, opposes what Democrats in Washington are considering; Deeds was more supportive although he balked at inclusion of a government-run health-care plan.

McDonnell, ever the crisp, programmed campaigner, hewed to his platform of economic recovery through job growth, low taxes and a business-friendly administration. He again deflected Deeds' attempts to portray him as a driven social conservative masquerading as a moderate pragmatist.

Deeds, more focused and articulate than usual, criticized McDonnell's clear-cut, if dubious, transportation remedies, which would siphon money from other state programs and are either one-time fixes (privatizing the state's liquor stores), warmed-over options rejected before (interstate tolls) or years away from fruition (offshore drilling).

Although Deeds has bravely endorsed new revenue sources to unclog the state's sclerotic transportation system, he is vague about details and trumpets his ability as governor to fashion a grand political consensus, truly a faith-based initiative, given General Assembly Republicans' taxophobia.

With the debates behind them, the campaigns now escalate their air war, the ubiquitous broadcast ads that shape voters' perceptions, and their ground war, rousing the party faithful to go to the polls.

On both fronts -- and with a bigger bankroll on hand -- McDonnell has the decided advantage.