Virginia GOP Governor Candidate: I'm No Moderate (VIDEO)

Bob McDonnell, the sole GOP candidate in the Virginia governor's race, is adamant about the fact he considers himself a "commonsense conservative," not a moderate, as some critics claim he is trying to fashion himself for the upcoming election.

In an interview with the local NBC affiliate, a reporter asked McDonnell if, in light of claims the candidate is re-branding himself to appeal to less conservative voters, he considers himself a moderate.

"No, I'm a common, a commonsense conservative," he said. "I've voted that way, and led that way for a long time, but I think what you do is you build on those conservative principles to actually be able to get things done, to get results, that's what people want."

Conservative views on social issues have typically been the norm in the Virginia's governor race, but Republicans campaigning on anti-abortion, anti-immigration, anti-new tax platforms lost in 2001 and 2005.

McDonnell told the Fairfax Times his campaign will focus on "transportation and education, higher education and jobs and economic growth," but told NBC he would be focusing on a few typical conservative principles as well.

"I can't control what labels people use one way or the other but I believe in these principles of limited government and respect for the rule of law and public safety as a top priority and protecting individual liberties as outlined by our founders in the Bill of Rights," he said. "I think that's good, conservative principle."

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