Meet the Gubernatorial Candidates: Gen. Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

Bristol, Va. -- The presumptive Republican gubernatorial nominee, General Bob McDonnell, made a campaign stop at the public library with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele Saturday.

The meeting focused on energy, small business, and McDonnell's social platform -- he supports the right to bear arms and the right to life.

McDonnell praised President Barack Obama's policies several times during the rally, but Steele targeted Obama's Democratic Party during a brief introduction.

These are excerpts from Steele's introduction:

MS: "Back at the Republican National Convention, I came up with this little idea of 'Drill , baby drill.' Can we get it done. And the idea was to make energy a priority."

MS: "Here in Southwest Virginia coal is crucial to your economy. In 2006, the economic impact of the coal-mining industry was, guess how much, $2.4-billion.

"{Points to a videographer for the democratic-party standing behind his audience} So all you democrats out there who will be watching this videotape a little later on, that was $2.4-billion. You guys need to get a clue."

(note: Jared Leopold with the Virginia Democratic Party said Democrats don't have and official platform on coal, but have taken steps to promote so-called "clean coal" business in Southwest Virginia.)

These are excerpts from McDonnell's rally speech:

BM: "I'm running for governor because I love Virginia. I've served the citizens of this state and nation now for 33 years -- as an army officer, as a prosecutor, as attorney general, a legislator. I've been in business for five years with a Fortune 500 company. I've got a master's degree in business. But most importantly, I've got twin boys who just got their drivers' licenses. So, when it comes to managing in crisis you know I'm the guy."

BM: "Because I understand those 11,000 {coal} jobs mean an awful lot her in Southwest Virginia. I've spent time in the coal fields. A month ago, I was in the gas fields in Dickenson County with Equitable Resources, watching the {fracturing} operation and seeing that gas come out of the ground. We need to have more natural gas fire plants.

"We need to speed up the permitting for nuclear. Heck, the French can do 80-percent. We ought to do at least better than 23-percent right her in the United States of America.

"I'm the only candidate in the race that will support drilling offshore for oil and natural gas -- 50 miles offshore."

These are excerpts from McDonnell's interview with 11 Connects Digital Journalist George Jackson:

GJ: "What is your position on legislative redistricting?"

I support bi-partisan redistricting. I think it will be helpful to the next governor in 2010, to re-draw the lines in a fair and balanced manner. It will ensure that we have contiguous districts and that we will have communities of interest protected. That's the law now. I think citizen input will ensure a little bit better result.

"So, I think that it's an idea who's time has come. If the legislature doesn't do it, we'll have our own committee put together to get that done."

GJ: "In a race that's shaping up to be really close between you and a democratic candidate, why campaign with Michael Steele. He's been described as a lightning rod."

BM: "Hey, Michael Steele is a great guy. He and I have been friends for several years. I campaigned with him when he ran for lieutenant governor in Maryland -- when he ran for the senate {in 2006}.

"He's a great, passionate, conservative leader for our party. Look, any time you start a new job people pick on you. That happened to me when I ran for attorney general. But he's doing a terrific job. He's unifying our party. He's bringing people together. He's travelling tirelessly around the country to promote the conservative cause and translating conservative principles into good government, practical solutions, common sense ideas.

"So, I'm delighted Michael Steele is here in Southwest Virginia to campaign with me today, and he's going to be back in Virginia a lot for the next five months helping me win."

MS: "I'm just glad he noticed."

Click the play icon above to view a video version of this report.