Obama campaigns for Deeds at ODU

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - "Opportunity in every corner of Virginia. That’s what matters to Creigh Deeds. And that’s what he will keep fighting for if the people of Virginia give him that chance," said President Barack Obama, during a rally at Old Dominion University Tuesday.

The Deeds campaign has been running ads for weeks showing the President supporting Deeds for Governor. Tuesday afternoon, he did it in person.

Air Force One touched down at Chambers Field at precisely 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. President Barack Obama emerged from the plane a few minutes later and shook hands with the crowd. He then made his way to the Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University to campaign for Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Creigh Deeds . Less than two hours later, Air Force One was airborne again with the President heading back to Washington.

At the rally Deeds told the crowd, "I want a Virginia where progress, respect and equality prevail, not one separated by politicians with narrow social agendas. We cannot move forward if we have leaders who only look back. I have worked hard to keep Virginia on the track of progress throughout my career, and I know there is more we can do in the next four years to keep that going."

Deeds introduced the President to the crowd. In his speech, President Obama said, "Creigh Deeds realizes that Virginia faces tough challenges, and solving them will require more than just lip service in political ads – it will require a realistic vision. When you’re governing, as Tim would tell you, nothing comes for free. Governing means you have to prioritize. You have to make tough choices. And you also have to recognize that change doesn’t happen overnight."

Also showing their support for Creigh Deeds were Governor Tim Kaine, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner, and Congressman Bobby Scott.

While inside the building most supported Deeds and the President's remarks, outside many gathered to protest and show their support for Republican candidate Bob McDonnell.

"No more taxes! No more taxes!" crowds shouted along Hampton Boulevard as President Barack Obama left Old Dominion University.

Members of the Hampton Roads Tea Party and McDonnell's supporters spent hours on the sidewalk outside the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Most of the Tea Party protesters held signs opposing taxes and a public option for heath care reform. A few told WAVY.com they were there to focus solely on the election next Tuesday. Republicans said Mr. Obama's visit on Creigh Deeds' behalf was an opportunity for them to show enthusiasm for their candidate, McDonnell.

ODU Freshman Tyler Spires said he'll vote for the Republican because, "Bob being a veteran, being an Attorney General, being a delegate - his ideas on transportation, him actually having a plan for Virginia."

Deborah Walstrom of the Nansemond-Suffolk Republican Women's Club told WAVY.com she wants McDonnell in the Governor's mansion. Walstrom said she doesn't believe a presidential rally is enough to keep Virginia blue. "I don't think it's going to help Mr. Deeds but maybe a tiny bit because I think people are here to see president Obama and not learn more about Creigh Deeds and what he's about."

Meanwhile McDonnell was on the campaign trail Tuesday in Northern Virginia, where he spoke to Vietnamese-Americans. A new Washington Post poll shows McDonnell with a commanding 11 point lead.

While talking to Vietnamese-Americans in Falls Church, McDonnell said he'd get more Virginians working by focusing on small businesses.

"We need better fiscal management, we need a rebirth of of entrepreneurship because 75 percent of all the businesses and all the new jobs are from small businesses. So I'm going to make that a priority," McDonnell said.

On Thursday, McDonnell will kick off a five-day campaign tour of 25 Virginia localities, including Hampton Roads. Sunday afternoon he'll rally at his Chesapeake campaign office on South Battlefield Boulevard starting at 12:30 p.m. He'll be back Monday night for a final rally at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach beginning at 7 p.m.

Deeds' rally on Tuesday comes four days after McDonnell had Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele rallying support for a GOP Governor's win.

"Bob has a lot to be proud of," Steele said to a group of supporters in Chesapeake Friday.

Not only did Steele rally for red, the GOP big gun took shots at McDonnell's Democratic opponent, Creigh Deeds. "Mr. Deeds will not be going to Richmond," Steele said to cheers," he's not done until you make him done and your votes decide it."

While Steele threw punches Friday, it will be the "Democrat in Chief's" turn to try to influence voters to support the Democratic ticket.

Hundreds of students waited in line Friday for a chance at 100 tickets for the Obama-Deeds event. "I didn't want to take a chance so I got here as early as possible, went to breakfast and came right here," one student said. "I already saw him last year in Virginia