Yesterday, Terry received the enthusiastic endorsement of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) in Richmond. The endorsement was a tremendous addition to our grassroots campaign to grow Virginia's economy and create good jobs. At the press conference, VPFF President R. Michael Mohler said that "Terry McAuliffe has spent years fighting for working men and women like our fire fighters and first responders." Citing Terry's unique economic experience helping struggling businesses, creating good jobs, and investing in new industries, Mohler noted that "Terry has the right experience to get our economy back on track."

Terry has had a lifetime commitment to fighting for first responders, and as Governor, he will make sure that our fire fighters and paramedics have the resources they need to do their jobs. Terry knows how hard the brave men and women of the VPFF work every single day -- he worked an eight-hour shift himself earlier this month. Terry will significantly invest in public safety by providing the best equipment and training so our emergency professionals can do their very best.

The Fire Fighters endorsement was a huge boost to a campaign already riding a wave of momentum. Tim Craig of the Washington Post wrote that "about 100 union members, who were wearing yellow 'Firefighters for McAuliffe' t-shirts," cheered on McAuliffe as he accepted the endorsement from the "influential labor organization." And Dan Sullivan of BlueCommonwealth wrote that this endorsement represented a "turning point" in this campaign. Sullivan continued:

The environment, political and economic, has changed from that during the long period of informal and formal campaigning by the two well liked and more familiar Virginia Democratic figures. Jobs, McAuliffe’s loudest drumbeat, has been thrust into primacy in this campaign and his private sector credentials clearly distinguish him from his Republican opponent. The additional grassroots support and organization of the VPFF may provide the inertia necessary to draw away in the primary contest.

NBC 12's Journal of Central Virginia Politics reported:

The [Virginia Professional Fire Fighters] union has a history of backing winners and using their extensive membership to get out the vote and raise money. It was a pretty picture for the Macker to be photographed with all the trademark yellow shirts behind him at the Omni in Richmond.

Tim Craig reported some of Mohler's best lines: "We have to turn the power of the legislature over to the Democrats. We intend to take on Bill Howell.... We are going to take him out. The person who can do that is with us today, the person with us today obviously has the financial resources, he's got the network, he's got the vision, he's got the energy to get out the message - its about jobs."

Terry let the VPFF members know that he will stand by their side throughout this campaign and into his Governorship: "You are here. You are putting your effort behind me. I will be put my effort behind you. I promise you, no one will work harder for you. This is a partnership."

With 55 local unions and 7,500 members throughout the Commonwealth, the VPFF will add tremendous support on the ground for Terry's campaign. This grassroots endorsement started a day that ended with the campaign's grand headquarters opening in McLean, where Terry's strong organization in the field was unveiled.

Posted by: Eli @ 09:33:25 AM
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, endorsements, fire fighters, governor, jobs, labor, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unions, va-gov, virginia, virginia professional fire fighters, vpff