Trump: Gillespie May 'Save Our Great Statues/Heritage'

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — The days to the Virginia governor's election are ticking away, and we've seen Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Mike Pence campaign for their parties' candidates over the last week or so. It got the pundits buzzing about whether President Trump would campaign for Republican Ed Gillespie. Now he has, using his favorite platform: Twitter.

On Thursday, Trump tweeted in support of Gillespie, saying "Ed Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy #'s around, and fast. Strong on crime, he might even save our great statues/heritage!"

The president's Tweet comes after he took criticism from both sides for his response to the violence at the Aug. 12 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville. He initially said "both sides" were to blame for the violence between white nationalists and counter-protesters. A few days later, he condemned the Neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan only to double down on his original comments the next day.

Monuments had been a hot topic in the governor's race even before Trump chimed in. Both candidates condemned the white nationalists in Charlottesville, but Gillespie strayed from his opponent, Democrat Ralph Northam, on the issue of removing Confederate statues. During the Sept. 19 gubernatorial debate in Northern Virginia, Gillespie said, "My view is that the statues should remain and we should place them in historical context so people can learn. We don’t have to glorify the objects of the statues, we can educate about them."

Northam said, "Personally I would think that the statues would be better placed in museums with historical context, but I am leaving that up to the localities."

SEE ALSO: Virginia Governor's Race 2017: Confederate Monument Issue Looms

Trump blasted Northam in another tweet, claiming he "doesn't even show up to meetings/work, and will be VERY weak on crime!"

Northam charged back saying, "I served 8 years in the Army, took care of sick kids, and am running to build a more inclusive Virginia. Don't talk to me about showing up."

Gillespie and Northam are running a tight race as Election Day approaches. On Wednesday, Hampton University released a new poll showing Gillespie with an 8-point lead, a contrast to other polls. The RealClearPolitics poll average shows Northam currently maintains a 3.9 percentage point lead.

The results of the Virginia governor's race will be one of the first statewide voter responses to Trump's election and actions in office. The general election for Virginia is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Donald Trump image via Evan Vucci/Associated Press, Ed Gillespie image via Steve Helber, Associated Press