Big guns out as races end in Virginia

RICHMOND — President Bush last night implored Virginians to choose Republican Jerry W. Kilgore for governor at the polls today while Gov. Mark Warner told voters that Timothy M. Kaine was the best choice in the too-close-to-call race.

The last-minute presidential rally, held at the Dominion Hangar at the Richmond International Airport, attracted several thousand supporters who cheered as Air Force One touched down.

“I know a man with character and integrity and he’s standing right next to me, and that’s Jerry Kilgore,” said Mr. Bush, who, according to polls, has a record-low approval rating of 37 percent. “Put him in office, and you’ll be proud of the job he’ll do for you.”

Mr. Bush called Mr. Kilgore “governor” after Mr. Kilgore introduced the president.

“I wish my grandparents could see this moment — their grandson introducing the president of the United States,” Mr. Kilgore said, calling Mr. Bush “a great leader for our commonwealth and our country.”

Earlier in the evening, Mr. Warner and Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, a Democrat and former Virginia governor, told voters at a rally at Richmond Farmers Market that Mr. Kaine would be a better governor.

“Don’t let the polls let you think we’ve got it done,” Mr. Wilder told a cheering crowd of more than 2,000 supporters. “We need to haul and call and vote and take nothing for granted.”

Mr. Warner, a Democrat and Mr. Kaine’s main cheerleader, echoed a similar sentiment.

“It’s now down to all of us,” said the governor, who has a more than 70 percent statewide approval rating. “If we do our part tomorrow, Virginia will celebrate a great victory.”

Mr. Wilder also mentioned Mr. Bush’s appearance at the rally for Mr. Kilgore. Some in the crowd booed.

“The president is coming through tonight, but he’ll be gone tonight and we’ll be here tomorrow, the next day and the next day,” said Mr. Wilder, who became mayor of Richmond in 2004 by an overwhelming majority.

The Kaine campaign, which spent the weekend in Mr. Kilgore’s native Southwest Virginia, held rallies in Roanoke, Norfolk, Richmond and Alexandria yesterday.

Jean Dyson, 74, brought her 21-month-old great-granddaughter in a stroller to the rally at the Richmond Farmers Market. The former Richmond public-school teacher said she likes Mr. Kaine because of his religious background and his “compassion.”

“He was a very good mayor,” she said.

Mr. Bush said Mr. Kilgore trusts the people on tax issues and promised that the Republican candidate would eliminate the car tax, if elected.

Story Continues →