By Chelyen Davis

The Free Lance-Star

ANNANDALE – The three Democrats vying to run for governor held their fifth and final debate here yesterday, a last opportunity to draw contrasts between themselves and make their pitch to primary voters who will go to the polls three weeks from now to choose between them.

As has become a pattern between the three, former delegate Brian Moran, of Alexandria, was aggressive in attacking former national party operative Terry McAuliffe, with state Sen. Creigh Deeds, of Bath, also going after McAuliffe on occasion.

McAuliffe, who has never held elected office before, cast himself as someone who could bring new ideas to state government, while Moran and Deeds repeatedly stressed their experience as state legislators.

The debate, held at Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus, was sponsored by the Washington Post and News Channel 8, with moderators using both their own questions and some submitted by the public.

On many topics their answers were similar. All three promised to improve transportation in Virginia, with Deeds vowing his plan would cover transportation needs statewide and eschew the regional transportation authorities that were prominent parts of recent transportation proposals in Richmond.

All three said better roads and transit options are key to bringing more jobs to the state.

All three of them indicated they would support adoption by gay couples.

“When it comes to figuring out how a child should be raised, the emphasis should be on what’s the best interest of the child,” Deeds said. “I don’t have any problem at all with a child being adopted by two loving parents, male, female, same sex, traditional couple.”

McAuliffe agreed and said he favors same-sex civil unions. Moran argued that without repeal of Virginia’s constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage or civil unions, it’s difficult to move the discussion to adoption. He said repealing that amendment would be a priority as governor.

While the three men all advocate alternative energy proposals, like wind energy, they differ on whether Virginia should drill for gas and oil offshore.

Deeds says yes, Moran and McAuliffe say no.