The two men running for governor of Virginia each spent nearly an hour in Roanoke on Friday talking to a economic developers from around the state about how best to help businesses and create jobs.

In separate back-to-back appearances at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, both Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell espoused the need to improve public and higher education, develop Virginia's energy resources and find new ways to pay for the construction and maintenance of roads.

In post-speech sessions with reporters, however, neither Deeds nor McDonnell could escape questions that have dogged them the past few weeks about a potential tax increase and a 20-year-old thesis paper, respectively.

The dual appearances came at a meeting of the Virginia Economic Developers Association. During their speeches Deeds and McDonnell agreed, at least in part, on most issues: Both touted increasing the governor's opportunity fund, tying "green" energy initiatives to research at the state's universities and embracing a variety of energy sources such as nuclear power and offshore oil drilling.

The biggest difference came on the question of funding transportation infrastructure. McDonnell touted his plan, which includes a $4 billion bond package, the privatization of liquor sales, the dedication of offshore drilling revenues and the use of general fund revenues.

Deeds said that the state must find $1 billion in new, annual revenues to pay for transportation. Deeds, who in recent days has repeatedly been questioned as to whether he would raise taxes as governor, was less specific about where that money would come from. He told the economic developers that he would "need to look at the right combination of sources that can get enough votes to pass" and said he would consider anything outside of a transfer or tax increase linked to the general fund.

In a conversation with reporters after his speech, Deeds said he would consider tolls or a gasoline tax increase. He said he would not consider regional authorities or other plans that might contribute to the "balkanization" of Virginia.

The candidates were also quizzed by the economic developers. One man asked Deeds about the substantial financial support he's received from organized labor, which according to the Virginia Public Access Project has totaled $1.4 million during the campaign, and was second only to party contributions over the past two months.

Deeds responded that he hasn't received any more money than did Govs. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and that he respects the state's "right-to-work" law, which he said "undoubtedly gives us a competitive advantage when it comes to bringing jobs to Virginia."

McDonnell was asked about his thoughts on undocumented workers. He said he would like to see better border enforcement and the removal of "artificial caps" on visas to allow more foreign workers into the United States. However, he said it's largely up to Congress to change immigration laws.

In discussions with reporters after his speech, McDonnell again found himself questioned on a thesis he wrote as a graduate and law student at Regent University. He grew testy when he was repeatedly asked if his core values have changed since he wrote the paper. McDonnell said that he still believes that "families are the bedrock of society," but when asked whether he thinks single mothers or gay parents fall under that definition, he declined to answer directly.

McDonnell said he finds it "insulting" that Deeds and the media would challenge his views and continue to press the issue weeks after he addressed it in an extensive conference call.

McDonnell on Friday also rolled out a list of state business leaders who are backing his candidacy. The group includes John Luke, the chairman and CEO of MeadWestvaco Corp. The company employs about 1,500 workers at its plant in Covington, in Deeds' state Senate district. In a conference call with reporters, Luke called McDonnell "a leader who understands what's required to create and sustain a globally competitive economy."

Staff writer Michael Sluss contributed to this report.