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Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
Taking on the Special Interests
Just like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Terry isn’t a product of the legislature in Richmond, and as governor, he’s going to shake things up and make the changes necessary to get our economy moving.
He’ll ban all gifts from lobbyists and completely shut down the payday lending industry. He’s refused to take any campaign contributions from companies that have received federal bailout funds, and he won’t take a penny from Dominion Power until they support his mandatory 25% renewable energy standard -- so we can create the good-paying, green jobs of the future.
On the campaign trail, Terry’s taken the lead on these issues. As governor, he’ll do what it takes to change business-as-usual in Richmond.
Learn more:
Shutting Down the Payday Lending Industry
After traveling across Virginia and seeing how predatory lenders prey on the most vulnerable in our state, Terry came out for a total ban on payday lenders in Virginia.
Now, the payday lending industry itself is attacking Terry. On the industry’s blog, Payday Pundit, they tell readers to “get involved” and fight back against Terry’s criticisms of the industry. In an article entitled, “You can tell a lot about a candidate by the enemies he makes,” Richmond-Times Dispatch reporter Jeff Schapiro dug deeper:
Terry McAuliffe, running for the Democratic nomination for governor, wants to run payday lenders out of Virginia.
Not so fast, says the high-cost, instant-loan industry.
The Community Financial Services Association, a trade group for the nation's biggest payday lenders, is using its blog, http://www.paydaypundit.org, to mobilize its troops against McAuliffe.
McAuliffe, in Richmond today for a meet-and-greet with more than 40 staffers and volunteers, hinted that lenders have offered to contribute money to his campaign, but that he's not interested.
"The audacity of these people," said McAuliffe.
McAuliffe wants to give the boot to car-title lenders, too. His beef with the fringe-credit business: That it profits at the expense of the poor and uneducated.
Payday and car-title lenders counter that they're offering a service for which there is a demand, particularly from people who can't get credit.
Virginia has been a battleground for payday lenders for several years. The lenders have been in the state since 2002-when a Democratic governor, Mark Warner, signed legislation approved by a Republican-controlled General Assembly-and this year have been hit by recession and new regulations.
They've combined to drive down the number of money stores in the state by about 20 percent. But lenders are finding a way around the latest restrictions, offering other loans that can be more lucrative because they carry higher fees.
[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6-2-09]
Putting the Pressure on Dominion Power
Terry believes that Virginia ought to have a strategy to increase use of renewable energy. We know that we can’t continue to rely on traditional sources of energy. We should be increasing state support for the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Not only will this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also create thousands of new jobs across Virginia.
But the only way we’re going to succeed in getting a larger share of our energy from renewable sources is if we can pressure the leading energy producers to go along.
Terry pledged not to take a dime in corporate or corporate PAC contributions from Dominion Power until they agree to a mandatory 25% renewable energy standard in Virginia, so we can bring green jobs and new investment to the Commonwealth. That stance has only emboldened Dominion’s resolve to defeat Terry. This week, the Washington Post reported that:
“Both Deeds and Moran received money from Dominion Virginia Power's political action committee. Deeds' $5,000 came the day after he criticized McAuliffe about his pledge to refuse campaign contributions from one of the most influential companies in the state. Moran's $10,000 came after he stated in interviews that he had taken less money his opponents.”
[The Washington Post, 6/2/09, ]
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters strongly endorsed Terry because they know that to protect Virginia’s environment, “the dynamics of government in Virginia need to change dramatically… our Board is convinced that Terry McAuliffe has the broad vision and the contacts and requisite skills to meet challenges directly.”
A Ban on Lobbyist Gifts
Terry has called for banning gifts and trips from lobbyists to legislators and executive branch officials -- because our elected officials should be accountable to the people.
In Virginia, there is no limit on the amount or types of gifts or trips that lobbyists can give to lawmakers or the executive branch. The only rule is that they must disclose gifts over a certain amount. This proposal would ban all gifts and trips from lobbyists to lawmakers and members of the executive branch.
Earlier this year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch examined some of the problems with the current system:
Official vetting of reports for accuracy is almost nonexistent. And there is little risk of punishment for rules-breakers. Lobbyists, for example, face an initial penalty of only $50 for filing late. As for lawmakers, it's up to their colleagues to mete out punishment, if any, for spotty or erroneous reports.
The resulting records -- they're available to the public through the secretary of the commonwealth and the House and Senate clerks, and online at the Virginia Public Access Project -- provide an incomplete accounting of the impact of interest-group money on elective officials. Last year, more than $20 million was spent influencing the assembly.
Disclosure standards vary from state to state, and no matter how tight the rules may be, watchdog groups worry they're ultimately insufficient to diminish the influence of gifts, trips, tickets to sports events, and other freebies. The solution, these organizations say, is a ban similar to one enacted by Congress in 2007 that prohibits lobbyists from buying even a sandwich for a member.
"Whether it's $50, $500 or $5,000, it's still a lobbyist giving a gift to a lawmaker -- and it doesn't look good," said Massie Ritsch of the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics.
[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/22/09]
No Campaign Contributions From Companies Getting Federal Bailout Money
After the controversy over the AIG taxpayer funded bonuses erupted, Terry McAuliffe made a bold pledge: he promised not to take any campaign contribution from companies receiving federal bailout funds. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.
That pledge has already prompted one of Terry’s opponents to return the contributions he'd accepted from banks receiving federal bailout funds.
Bob McDonnell, on the other hand, has not refused to return the contributions he’s taken from companies receiving federal bailout funds.
Just as Terry’s stood up to special interests, he’s also shown he’ll take the fight to Bob McDonnell. Check out his petition below:
Bob McDonnell just doesn't get it. He opposed using federal stimulus money to help Virginia families in need. But he doesn't have any problems dumping your tax dollars into his campaign's bank account.
It's just shameful.
When Bob and his Republican friends rejected $125 million in federal help for Virginians who lost their jobs, his campaign had already taken thousands of dollars from companies that took federal bailout money. That's right -- your tax dollars are going from bailed out companies right into Bob McDonnell's campaign coffers.
It's time for Bob McDonnell to step up. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.
Tell Bob McDonnell to return the contributions from companies that received federal bailout money.
When the news broke about the millions of taxpayer-funded bonuses going to AIG executives, Bob McDonnell's own campaign said they "should offend every taxpayer." I agree.
But it is every bit as offensive for companies like Citigroup - which participated in some of the worst excess that triggered this financial crisis - to use the money they're getting from the federal government to make contributions to political candidates. And Bob McDonnell's taken the cash with open arms.
For his campaign to go around lecturing about the sanctity of taxpayer money -- while at the same time using it to fund its own political operation - is the height of hypocrisy. And I've had enough of it.
Tell Bob McDonnell to return any contributions he's received from companies that were bailed out by the federal government -- and to pledge not to take their money for the rest of the campaign.
Thanks,
Terry
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
The latest news
We've got just 4 days to go, and things couldn't be moving quicker. Wednesday night, Politico teamed up with ABC News, Google and YouTube to broadcast a joint-candidate forum on statewide television. We released a new response ad this week, there's been a flurry of new polling, and we're gearing up for the final Get-Out-the-Vote push.
It All Comes Down to GOTV
The Washington Post said it best: "Figuring out which ones will come to the polls and how to reach them could, more than any other factor, determine the victor on election day." That's why we've invested in one of the most sophisticated field operations that a Virginia political race has ever seen. But our ability to put our plan into action depends on you.
We've got 14 offices spread all across the Commonwealth -- and we urgently need your help to make them overflow with volunteers.
For months we've worked to bring new voters into the process and re-engage all those folks who first got involved with President Obama's historic campaign last November. In short, we've identified our voters. But we've got to the hit the phones, knock the doors, and realize the potential to make our voices heard on Election Day.
The best thing you can do is come down to one of our offices, but there are other opportunities to help out - even from your home. So don't waste a minute. Terry's autographed an additional 100 rally signs for the first people to come in and donate their time. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer, please do so immediately.
Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer.
Candidate Forum
Wednesday night, voters across the Commonwealth tuned in to see a joint-candidate forum sponsored by YouTube, Politico, Google and ABC. And as with all of the joint-appearances, Terry once again demonstrated why he's the candidate with the focus, discipline, and resolve to bring good-paying jobs to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I've been in Virginia politics for an awfully long time, and one thing I've learned is that governing is prioritizing. There's no time to be all things to all people. You need to know what you want to do, and have a plan to get it done. That's exactly what Terry brings to the table.
No moment from the forum was more telling than when James from Arlington asked the three candidates the one thing they'd like to be remembered for after serving as governor for four years. We've posted that clip on our website, and I wanted to share it with you.
Endorsements
This morning, Terry is receiving the endorsement of Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana. As a popular two-term Governor, Governor Schweitzer knows that Terry has the right experience to get Virginia's economy moving again.
Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post wrote that the endorsement "sends a message that not only does Schweitzer think McAuliffe will win next Tuesday 's primary (otherwise, why fly in from Montana to stand with a potential loser) but also that McAuliffe represents the best chance for Democrats to keep the seat in the fall election."
Polls
A few weeks back, the National Journal's Amy Walter hit the nail on the head when she wrote that, "Any public polling on this race should be taken with a very big grain of salt. After all, no one has any idea just how 'likely' these 'likely voters' will be." But since so many of you have written in asking about one poll or another, I want to make sure you're all aware of the large disparity in the polls that are out there. They're all over the map, but Terry McAuliffe is the only candidate with a lead outside the margin of error in any of the various polls that have been released.
On Tuesday, Public Policy Polling showed the race was a dead heat.
Wednesday, Survey USA gave Terry a significant, 6-point lead over Creigh Deeds, and a 9-point lead over Brian Moran.
The truth is that the only poll that matters is the one this upcoming Tuesday. That's why we're focusing on two things - getting out the vote, and making our closing arguments for why Terry's the candidate best equipped to create jobs and grow Virginia's economy.
New Ads
For weeks, our opponents have hurled personal attacks at Terry in the mail, and on radio and TV. So as we come down the home stretch, we've got a dual focus for our paid media strategy. We released a new response ad that's airing in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets designed to counter the attacks we've seen. And in our final spot, Terry makes his closing argument for why we need big ideas to shake things up in Richmond.
Thanks so much for all that you've done. But we still need your help to fund our media and GOTV efforts so we can keep these ads up all the way to the end.
Click Here to Make a Contribution and Keep Our Ads on the Air.
Full steam ahead until Tuesday!
Mike Henry
Campaign Manager
P.S. Terry is holding a primary election night celebration at The Westin Arlington Gateway at 801 N. Glebe Road. If you're in the area, stop by at 7:15pm and celebrate with Terry!
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
McAuliffe Consoles, Campaigns at GM Plant
June 3rd, 2009
The Washington Post
Rosalind Helderman
From the annals of smart campaigning... Terry McAuliffe made a stop this afternoon at the GM plant in Fredericksburg that the company announced Monday it is shuttering as part of its bankruptcy filing.
Not a bad move for the candidate who has made job creation the centerpiece of his run for the governor's mansion. McAuliffe took a tour of the plant, which is scheduled to close in 2010, as a guest of local UAW leaders and Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Chairman Henry "Hap" Connors Jr, whose endorsed his campaign.
Melvin Carter, the local union political coordinator, said he'd welcome any of the candidates--he said he's invited everyone "all the way up to the White House" to visit the plant--but only McAuliffe had so far reached out to make it happen. The plant once employed 300--now only 68 people work at the mostly quiet factory that manufacturers torque converter clutch plants.
"It's good to know he's interested," Carter said. "You know what they always say, contact your congressman or senator. Well..."
McAuliffe spent more than an hour at the plant, safety goggles on his face, ear plugs in his ears, bright orange vest over his shirt, eagerly examining the massive machinery on the factory floor and talking to workers who run it. Cocking his head to listen over the noise of the machines, he occasionally pulled out a notebooks and jotted down notes.
Many of the workers at the plant have been working for GM for decades. Some are eligible to retire, but others are just a few years shy.
"If you work somewhere for 25 years and then it closes up on you, it feels pretty bad," said worker James Holsworth.
After his tour, McAuliffe addressed a small group of workers at an afternoon team meeting in a break room off the factory floor. He told the group he would bring new alternative energy jobs to Virginia that would replace the jobs lost at the GM plant and other factory closings.
"All I can tell you is that if I get in as governor, I promise you I'll create some jobs. I'll give you some opportunities--I promise you. I've done it my whole live," he said. "My heart goes out to everyone. I'm sorry this had to happen to you."
The workers questioned McAuliffe about education and health care. Then, one woman asked the key question: "Do you have a General Motors car?"
"Two," McAuliffe answered, his first words that broad broad smiles to pretty gloomy faces.
"Three," piped up an aide, reminding McAuliffe of his Escalade.
"I have three, excuse me," he said. "I've had one since 1990, but I bought two hybrids. You bet. Two new ones."
Brian Moran, meanwhile, spent the day on a series of campaign stops through the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia, including greeting voters at the VRE train station in Fredericksburg and touring a community health center in Prince William. At the health center, he met with board members and learned how federal stimulus money saved the center from having to close its doors.
Creigh Deeds, meanwhile, will be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball game at Harbor Park in Norfolk.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, gm, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
"One"
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
Profile of Terry on WAMU
WAMU ran this story on Terry's grassroots campaign and bold ideas to get Virginia's economy moving again.
You can also download the story here.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, radio, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, wamu
Governor hopeful: Jobs best fix for Va.
June 1st, 2009
Northern Virginia Daily
Garren Shipley
Opponents may call Terry McAuliffe many things, but "inconsistent" and "lethargic" aren't among them.
The former Democratic National Committee chairman turned gubernatorial candidate made the rounds of Virginia this past week, hammering on the same theme he's been on since December.
Jobs, jobs, jobs.
McAuliffe, a latecomer to the race, has focused on economic issues since he began his "listening tour" last year.
McAuliffe faces former Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, in an open June 9 Democratic primary.
Job creation is the best possible fix for most of Richmond's significant ills, including the state's road system, McAuliffe said in an interview.
"I want to focus on job creation because we need money for transportation and education," he said.
President Clinton's former uber-fundraiser has a long list of things he wants to accomplish in the Executive Mansion.
"I have a lot of big plans," he said, including higher spending on K-12 education and more money for pre-kindergarten programs.
McAuliffe would also allow any individual or business to buy their way into the state's low-income health benefits program, FAMIS.
He also wants to spend more on transportation to be sure the state can draw down matching federal transportation dollars.
Paying for it all will be a challenge, though.
"First and foremost, we've got a horrible economy. We just found out we've got to cut another $250 million" from the state budget due to faltering tax receipts, he said.
"I don't believe in raising taxes in a down economy," he said. That means the state has to grow its tax receipts, he said.
McAuliffe said he thinks that, given the right tools, he can talk those jobs into Virginia.
"The House of Delegates has not given the governor any new tools, any economic incentives," he said.
Other states have set up funds and bonding authority for governors to use to lure jobs into their states.
"I'll spend money to make money any day of the week," he said.
Virginia also needs to "green up" its energy policies to encourage growth.
"We're one of the few states that doesn't offer any sort of tax incentive for people to put solar panels on their roof," he said. "Tennessee just announced a billion-dollar investment for a company to begin producing crystals for solar panels."
Requiring utilities to get a fixed percentage of their power from things like solar or wind turbines would encourage job growth, he said.
Putting Democrats in control of the legislature in November would make it much easier to accomplish his goals, he said.
Even if Republicans maintain control of the House, they will still be willing to work with McAuliffe to create jobs, he said.
"That's not a Democrat or a Republican issue," he said. "Maybe I'm nuts, but I don't think they're all going to vote against that."
Tags: 2009, economic, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
This Time, McAuliffe Is Selling Himself
National Journal
May 23, 2009
by Jennifer Skalka
When he turned 52 early this year, Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe -- glad-handing former rainmaker of the Democratic National Committee and permanent First Friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton -- fittingly celebrated with a fundraiser lightly disguised as a birthday party. Old pals, including such famous-for-Washington types as lawyer Richard Ben-Veniste and former Rep. Tom McMillen, turned out for the Macker, as he's known.
In the middle of the room stood a five-tier confection -- bright blue and decorated with cardinals, the state bird. A McAuliffe-looking figurine, but blonder, stood atop the cake, which had the state's motto, Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants), draped across it. But when the time came for guests to dive in, a waiter instead delivered ready-to-eat slices of some other goodie from a back room.
Was the strange, towering creation for real? Without dragging a finger through the Technicolor frosting, it was impossible to tell. But as the irrepressible party pitchman-turned-candidate closes in on his first-ever primary, the mystery dessert makes an easy metaphor for what Old Dominion voters must decide about his gold-plated campaign. "If you're lookin' for the same old thing, I'm not your guy to go to Richmond," the transplanted New Yorker, who has developed a new habit of dropping his g's, told well-wishers.
The architect of President Clinton's Lincoln Bedroom fundraising strategy and a fast-talking fixture on cable television, McAuliffe spent three decades selling the candidacies of other Democrats. Now he is concentrating on his own political advancement and on raising enough money to steamroll his party rivals in what may well be the most-watched race of 2009. Already, McAuliffe has raked in more than $5.1 million and hired a staff of more than 100. But he has never served on a city council, never toiled in a statehouse, never run a government agency, never argued with local lawmakers about tax rates or school construction dollars. His governing skills are untested.
Both national parties are closely watching the Virginia contests. Democrats believe that a general election victory would confirm that the state has turned true blue in the Age of Obama; Republicans see flipping both of the governorships on the line this year -- in Virginia and New Jersey -- as a powerful way to demonstrate their rebound. Democrats have won the last two gubernatorial elections in the commonwealth. But to repeat this year, they would have to break a strong pattern: Ever since 1977, Virginia's governorship has been captured by the party that lost the previous year's presidential election. And in former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who resigned in February to run full-time, the GOP has a strong contender.
Eighteen months ago, McAuliffe probably never imagined that his political future would hinge on how well he stacks up in Virginia voters' minds against longtime state pols. But his 2008 presidential candidate of choice, Hillary Rodham Clinton, was foiled by Barack Obama, her White House aspirations heaped into the dustbin of history. Along with them went McAuliffe's chances of becoming, say, White House chief of staff.
Looking for a personal political rebirth as a candidate, the boisterous McAuliffe is using the sales skills he honed at the knees of party giants. On the stump, the man who The New York Times Magazine noted has a "Barnum & Bailey personality" is relentless, loud, and a master of hyperbole.
"New energy for new jobs!" he crows at every opportunity. On a gray and chilly March morning while touring a Lorton waste-to-energy plant with company executives and reporters, McAuliffe, the grip-and-greet connoisseur, sounded every bit the auctioneer.
"I love all waste!" he roared. Incinerated chicken poop, he said, will help meet the state's ever-growing demands for electricity. High-speed rail from Northern Virginia to Richmond and Hampton Roads? He'll make it happen. Higher teacher pay? He's in. And candidate McAuliffe will insert your name, voter, into every sentence.
To those who complain that he hasn't worked his way up in Virginia politics, he retorts, "This is democracy. No one has a birthright in democracy. If you have good ideas, go run. What if they told Barack Obama that? 'Where have you been?' "
McAuliffe is charging into the minutiae of state government with his trademark gusto, but the journey isn't likely to be easy. Even if he prevails in the June 9 primary and the November general election, he will still have to figure out how to get his way in a governorship that is notoriously weak because it is limited to a single, four-year term.
A native of Syracuse, N.Y., who has lived in Northern Virginia's tony McLean for 17 years, McAuliffe transformed the primary race merely by entering it. His opponents, former state Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, have long served in Richmond, but they can't match McAuliffe's fundraising clout, seasoned campaign savvy, or political celebrity status. In the first quarter of this year, McAuliffe raised $4.2 million -- more than five times the take of Moran, who served for 13 years in the General Assembly and whose brother Jim represents Alexandria and Arlington in the U.S. House.
McAuliffe's supporters say he will bowl over the competition by launching an air and ground war (he has more than 50 field workers) that won't be easily rivaled, and that will be built on a retooled Bill Clintonesque "It's the economy, stupid" message emphasizing job creation. Detractors predict that McAuliffe's appeal will prove quite limited, that voters will reject him as an interloper. "For Democrats, the key to success is to find a Democrat who appeals to [Virginia's] urban base but who also has strong appeal in rural Virginia," said Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher, a Deeds supporter who represents Tazewell and other counties in the state's southwest. "I think people are going to make their judgment based on reasons other than the number of TV commercials they see."
In the view of veteran Democratic strategist Peter Fenn, McAuliffe's chief task is to persuade voters that his campaign isn't an ego trip. "The real question is, can he prove to the citizens of Virginia that this is about Virginia, that this is about them?" Fenn said. "What he's got to show is, he has the clout and the ideas to deliver for folks -- and not because he's a national figure."
In a turn of the screw not lost on local political observers, McAuliffe is playing down the work for which he is best known -- boosting the Clintons -- to cast himself as an independent voice for Virginians. That is a tricky maneuver, given that McAuliffe is simultaneously trying to cash in on Bill Clinton's star power by appearing with him in Richmond, Roanoke, and the state's Washington suburbs. McAuliffe is doing nothing to remind Virginia Democrats of his ties to Hillary Clinton, who was crushed, 64 percent to 35 percent, in their 2008 presidential primary.
Obama's landslide in that contest signaled the state's lack of interest in Clinton 2.0. So McAuliffe is refashioning himself in the model of, well, Obama -- a post-partisan figure devoted to job creation and renewable energy. But questions remain: Why does the salesman want to govern? And can he win?
Still Spinning
When Hillary Clinton walked into the cavernous main hall of Washington's National Building Museum last June to belatedly bow out of the 2008 presidential campaign in front of thousands of die-hard supporters, she was accompanied by the Goo Goo Dolls' song "Better Days," which wraps up with "Tonight's the night the world begins again." The line was intended to herald the dawn of the next chapter of Clinton's public life. But it was also a fitting tribute for her campaign chairman, McAuliffe, who stood in the back, still spinning to the television cameras for his longtime friend even as she walked off the stage.
On the stump in Virginia, McAuliffe often says that he always intended to run for office but that his life took a long, exciting detour. Immediately after college in 1980, he stepped into national politics as the finance chairman of President Carter's re-election campaign, and eight years later he raised money for then-Rep. Dick Gephardt's first presidential bid. McAuliffe is best known, of course, for becoming a confidant of Bill Clinton and masterfully milking Democratic cash cows. According to several published reports, McAuliffe raised at least $300 million for the Clintons over the years -- for Bill Clinton's two White House campaigns, for his legal defense fund and his library, and for Hillary Clinton's successful 2000 Senate bid. McAuliffe even helped arrange the mortgage for the couple's $1.7 million post-presidency residence in elegant Chappaqua, N.Y.
Bill Clinton rewarded McAuliffe by joining Gephardt and others in endorsing him for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee in the wake of Al Gore's failed White House bid. McAuliffe won easily over former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.
Leading the party from 2001 to '05, McAuliffe built, as he likes to recount, a massive $535 million war chest and modernized the DNC. With Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, his was one of the most visible faces of the Democratic Party. He sings his own praises with enthusiasm: "When you don't have the White House, you're the guy on television every day setting the tone."
During that time, McAuliffe was eager to prove that he wasn't just a fundraiser, that he could do message, too. Still, his legacy was clear. Gephardt, who was an usher at McAuliffe's wedding two decades ago, says, "He raised more money for the party and left the party in better shape for the [2004] general election than anyone ever has."
That year produced another disappointment for Democrats, though, when they lost to George W. Bush for the second time. McAuliffe, ever the optimist, knew that another Clinton was waiting in the wings. He signed on as Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman. Then, when McAuliffe realized that the product he had long pitched would no longer move, he did what any salesman might. He found a new commodity and a new spiel. His world did indeed begin again.
"I think people respect the loyalty that I showed to Hillary right up until the end," McAuliffe told National Journal. "I didn't cut and run. I don't cut and run. I'm a loyal sticker. I'm proud of her. I love her. I think she's fantastic. But the day she said, 'Terry, I'm done,' ... I never looked back."
Smooth Operation
McAuliffe insists he's not running for governor simply because he had time on his hands once Hillary Clinton's campaign derailed. He had previously given serious thought to seeking office, he says, either in his native New York or in Florida, his wife's home state.
But Hillary Clinton's loss undeniably ended a major chapter in McAuliffe's life. A father of five, he became a rich man during his years as advocate for the Clintons, turning a $100,000 investment in Global Crossing, the telecommunications company that ultimately went bankrupt, into at least $8.1 million. (His campaign says that a widely reported $18 million figure for his Global Crossing profit is incorrect.) He also ran a Florida construction company, American Heritage Homes, which he sold for an undisclosed amount. During an April rally at a Richmond farmers' market, President Clinton said of McAuliffe, "Yeah, he's made a lot of money. He did that by taking care of other people." Details of the multimillion-dollar ventures never make it into McAuliffe's Virginia stump speech. He prefers to regale listeners with tales of his success in resurfacing driveways as an entrepreneurial 14-year-old.
McAuliffe launched his bid for governor much as Hillary Clinton started her Senate campaign in New York. For two months he traveled throughout Virginia, meeting voters from Emporia and Waynesboro to Wise and Melfa. The listening tour was a formality. No one doubted that he would run.
He has created a campaign machine that only a skilled party veteran could craft in short order. McAuliffe's effort is built around business roundtable discussions (an attempt to tap into the constituencies that moderate Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine successfully wooed), regular telephone town hall meetings, and text messages to attract the state's young, tech-savvy Obama voters. McAuliffe periodically signals he can identify with regular working folks -- by suiting up to toil at the Fairfax City Fire Station or pitching at an African-American barbershop in Richmond and in Roger Brown's Restaurant & Sports Bar in Portsmouth. Meanwhile, his team has cranked out detailed position papers on jobs, energy, transportation, and education.
The McAuliffe camp boasts well-known consultants from Hillaryland, including Mike Henry, Clinton's deputy campaign manager, and Mo Elleithee, a respected spokesman. They run a smooth, moneyed operation. They have already aired a half-dozen TV spots and attracted major union endorsements -- from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, as well as the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters.
But doubts remain that McAuliffe is well enough versed in clubby Virginia politics to accomplish much if elected. Richmond's entrenched network of civil servants and homegrown pols is hard to buck, and Republicans dominate the Legislature. The glamour of winning a marquee competition could quickly fade.
"I think there's sometimes still a sense that he hasn't paid his dues," said Harris Miller, a Moran supporter who ran for the Senate in 2006. Despite his own superior fundraising, Miller lost to political newcomer Jim Webb in the Democratic primary. "As I proved," Miller says, "you can outspend your opponents and still lose."
McAuliffe's outsider status is underscored by his lack of giving to in-state candidates -- and his bountiful fundraising outside of Virginia. Between 1997 and early 2008, he did not contribute to a single candidate for state office, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Since late last year, McAuliffe has personally given a total of $6,500 to three candidates -- two running for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and another running for delegate. His campaign committee has given $94,530 so far this year, largely to the state Democratic Party. Asked why McAuliffe ignored Virginia candidates in the decade before his own run, a campaign spokeswoman noted only that McAuliffe, as DNC chief, shepherded $5.1 million of party money to Kaine's successful 2005 gubernatorial campaign.
The largest portion of contributions to McAuliffe's campaign have come from Washington, followed by Los Angeles; Fairfax County; Cook County, Ill.; New York City; and Orange County, Calif. Top gifts include $276,000 from media magnate Haim Saban; $250,000 from film producer Stephen Bing; $100,000 from Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television; $101,000 from Hyatt Hotel heir J.B. Pritzker; and $25,000 from Donald Trump. In his National Journal interview, McAuliffe said that Virginia supporters would see his vast network as an asset: "People would probably say, 'He's a pretty good salesman, probably has a lot of great relationships throughout the world, and would use those to grow our economy.' "
But rival Moran calls McAuliffe a "hyperpartisan national Democrat" with too few ties within the state. "I actually have relationships beginning on day one," Moran said. "Everyone says, 'I'm going to reach across the aisle.' I actually have." But the day-one argument, as McAuliffe could vouch, didn't work in Virginia, or nationally, for Hillary Clinton.
State Rep. Gerry Connolly's straw poll demonstrated that money often trumps experience. The St. Patrick's Day traditional feast brings out Democratic activists, and throngs showed up this year for the corned beef and potatoes, and to vote. McAuliffe's campaign purchased 400 tickets, about half the final vote count. But, more important, he turned out his supporters, many of them young, first-time attendees. McAuliffe won with 58 percent of the vote to Moran's 30 percent and Deeds's 12 percent.
His opponents and their supporters were steamed, even though the ticket buying didn't violate any rules. "I think it sucks," said Moran backer Howard Carlin of Herndon. "It's just really unfortunate that McAuliffe had to win it by doing that sort of thing." McAuliffe is unapologetic. "At the end of the day, it's about getting people to show up and vote, isn't it?"
A Mix of Old and New
The White House would be extremely pleased to follow up Obama's 2008 primary and general election successes in Virginia by keeping the state's governorship in Democratic hands for another term. Voter interest in the race, which features the state's first contested Democratic gubernatorial primary since 1985, is unpredictable. More than 977,000 Virginians voted in last year's Democratic presidential primary, but two years earlier only 155,784 came out for the Webb-Miller Senate primary. Most political observers think that high turnout -- signaling the continued participation of young people and sporadic voters whom Obama's "change" message lured to the polls -- would benefit McAuliffe. If turnout is low, the contest will probably be decided by party regulars, people more apt to have connections to Deeds or Moran.
McDonnell, who has no primary competition, is waiting in the wings for the Democratic nominee. He served in the Army and attended law school at Regent University, founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. National GOP leaders, including 2008 presidential candidates John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, and Mike Huckabee, as well as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, have already descended on Virginia to raise money for the social conservative. McAuliffe spokesman Elleithee describes McDonnell as "a lifelong right-wing ideologue who has learned how to speak moderate."
Virginians think more highly of McDonnell than of any of his Democratic rivals, according to a recent poll by Daily Kos and Research 2000. The survey also found the Republican running ahead of each of the Democrats in head-to-head matchups. He is the only one of the four to have won statewide office, edging Deeds by fewer than 400 votes to become attorney general in 2005.
Even though Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Virginia since 1964, the commonwealth remains a mix of the Old South and the new, rural and urban, high-tech and low-wage. This year's campaign seems to be turning on the economic issues dominating the national debate, but deep divides remain over social issues, such as guns and abortion, that have proven pivotal in some past elections.
With suburban Northern Virginia having tipped the balance to the Democrats in last year's presidential race and Webb's 2006 Senate contest, McDonnell intends to fight for moderate votes, according to Ed Gillespie, the former Republican National Committee chairman who is his volunteer campaign chairman. "I do think there will be a lot of voters, a lot of centrist and moderate voters in the suburbs who voted for Obama who will vote for McDonnell. There's no doubt about that," Gillespie said. "People saw Barack Obama as someone who could fix things, who could solve problems. And people see Bob McDonnell as someone who can fix things and can get things done."
If McAuliffe gets the chance to knock heads with McDonnell, both will be vying for the Mr. Fix-It title. Trailed by a pack of reporters, McAuliffe donned hard hat and safety goggles to peer into the Lorton waste-conversion facility packed with thousands of tons of stinking garbage.
The trash would be burned and eventually turned into energy to light up Virginia. McAuliffe, who told the plant's managers that he had tried to build this facility's twin in Syracuse way back in 1980, looked as if there was no place on earth he would rather be than here, inhaling the sour fumes.
"This gets me excited!" he bellowed into the abyss. "This is your future. This is as good as it gets."
Tags: 2009, bill clinton, clinton, democratic national committee, dnc, economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Shoot for the Moon
This clip is from the Washington Post/NewsChannel8 Virginia Democratic Primary Debate.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
The Final Debate
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
Stepped Up
In 1985, Terry McAuliffe helped found the Federal City National Bank, a small community bank that was designed to serve the Washington, DC area. Terry said he got into the banking business because he wanted to "do what a bank is supposed to do. Work for the depositors." Federal City opened a year later.
At the beginning, the bank struggled to turn a profit. While the bank's assets grew, in its first year the bank lost $513,000; the next, it lost $471,000.
In 1988, Terry was elected the chairman of the bank, making him one of the youngest people ever to be elected chairman of a federally chartered bank. His goal was "to make Federal City National Bank one of the nation's most innovative, aggressive and fiscally sound financial institutions."
As chairman, Terry took immediate steps to turn the bank around. He replaced the president and added four new directors. By the end of 1989, Federal City National Bank reported its first annual profit of $280,000. The president of the bank, Clyde Smith, said more stringent loan requirements and better workouts of nonperforming loans spurred the turnaround.
Federal City's turnaround was remarkable in another sense: the Washington, DC-area was overbanked and the cost of doing business in the District was a lot higher than doing business in the suburbs. Large banks were overtaking the smaller banks. Yet during this time, Federal City was able to establish itself. A headline in October 1990 read "Federal City profits buck banking trends." A month later, the Washington Business Journal noted "Federal City National Bank is currently one of the most profitable institutions in the District." Indeed, Federal City had the second highest return on average assets of any bank in the District of Columbia. One bank analyst noted, "It's incredible the way these guys have turned this bank around."
By 1991, the Savings and Loan crisis was in full swing. The economy was in recession. Federal regulators were forcing banks to increase their capital and write down loans and even seized some banks. All 11 DC-area banks that started in the 1980s were facing trouble. One investment source noted, "With the number of banks out there looking to raise capital, coupled with the problems in the industry and the regulatory environment they have to operate under--they'll just never do it. There are just too many better ways to invest your money." In spite of this climate, Federal City National Bank did not close. Rather, it was able to merge with a larger bank and stay in operation.
Terry McAuliffe's leadership at Federal City National Bank is a good example of what type of governor he will be. He took over the bank at a time when it was struggling. His vision and ability to bring new people and new ideas helped turn the bank around. And he did not quit when times were tough. He stayed and saw the bank successfully merge. That bank is still around today.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia
Rivals Take Aim at McAuliffe in Final Primary Debate
May 19th, 2009
The Washington Post
Anita Kumar
Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran sought to isolate Terry McAuliffe in the final debate among the three primary candidates today by repeatedly and vigorously attacking him on his credibility.
Deeds and Moran accused McAuliffe of promising too much to too many, charged that he exaggerated claims about his business record and suggested he had hidden the truth about his campaign donations.
"These are the divisive politics of destruction that people are sick and tired of," McAuliffe said. "We need a healthy discussion on the issues," he added, defending his record and calling the charges untrue.
With three weeks to the June 9 primary, the final debate mirrored the closing themes of the primary campaign -- with most of the attention continuing to focus on McAuliffe's outsider bid to become the Democratic standard-bearer in the general election campaign against Republican Robert F. McDonnell.
Hundreds came out to watch the three Democrats at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus, as each sought to stamp a final impression in a race where polls show the majority of voters remain undecided.
With the three finding accord on most major issues, the campaign has turned into a referendum on style -- and most notably, on what McAuliffe described as his shoot-for-the-moon approach. Deeds and Moran, both longtime state legislators, have struggled for months to take attention away from the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee whose national connections and outsized personality have led to more money and more media exposure.
Deeds accused him of over promising to build a high school gym in Martinsville, pay off teachers' mortgages, car and student loans, use his Hollywood connection to make Virginia the new film capital of the world and reform Medicaid.
"Those are just some of the things you said in public,'' Deeds said. "I don't know what you said in private."
Moran questioned McAuliffe's record of creating jobs, accusing him of exaggerating the number he has created.
"So tell me, Terry, how is this a positive, credible campaign, and how can Virginia voters trust you will care about their jobs and create any new jobs?"
McAuliffe brushed off the attacks as gutter politics, and said he was proud to set ambitious goals for the state.
"You shoot for the moon," he said. "John Kennedy didn't say we were taking a rocket halfway to the moon. He said all the way."
The hour-long debate, hosted by The Washington Post and News Channel 8, was available online and will be televised tonight on News Channel 8. Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza and News Channel 8 anchor Bruce DePuyt asked questions, some submitted by Washington Post readers.
McAuliffe, Deeds and Moran are running to replace Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat who is barred from running for a second term, in a closely watched race that could help determine whether Virginia will continue to turn blue. This year's Democratic primary is the party's first contested gubernatorial nomination battle in more than two decades.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
You got what I need
We've got just 27 days until the primary, and our campaign's momentum is growing daily. We're preparing to launch our Get-Out-the-Vote operation, which will be the largest, most sophisticated, and most targeted effort ever organized by a Virginia gubernatorial campaign. And I wanted to drop you a line and give you a quick update.
On the road with Terry
On Monday, the campaign got an injection of star power as Terry made four stops around the Commonwealth with his good friend, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, who created the "Yes We Can" video for Barack Obama that was viewed by millions. Terry and will talked about the importance of bringing new voters into the political process, and the need to have a governor who can partner with President Obama to create the jobs of the future.
And just when you thought the day couldn't have gone any better - it did. At a blowout event in Arlington that evening, will and Terry were joined by Biz Markie, who performed a special rendition of his hip-hop classic, "Just a Friend."
We made a short video of some of the highlights - check it out:
And today and tomorrow, Terry's hitting the road with President Bill Clinton, whose economic policies led to the longest period of job growth and economic expansion in our nation's history. Terry has put forth the most comprehensive and substantive plan to create jobs in Virginia, and President Clinton will tout that plan on the stump.
New Endorsements
President Clinton and will.i.am aren't the only ones showing their support for Terry's campaign. This past week, we picked up some high profile endorsements - clear evidence that Terry's vision for Virginia is resonating. The Virginia League of Conservation Voters endorsed Terry's strong environmental record. And the momentum continued when the 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) endorsed Terry's commitment to Virginia's working families.
With Your Help
But all of this good news means nothing if we can't turn out our supporters on Election Day. And we need your help to make it happen.
We've invested in more than 50 field staffers and 14 offices across the Commonwealth (and 8 offices in NoVA alone) so that we have the necessary infrastructure to re-engage all those people who first got involved in politics with Barack Obama's historic victory last year. But we're counting on you to power the operation.
By far the single most important thing you can do to help is to come into one of our offices as we head down the home stretch. But even if you can't make it to one of our field offices, there are still other opportunities to get involved - even from your home. Volunteers are the lifeblood of a winning campaign, so please sign up to volunteer right away.
Thanks for all your support. While all the public polls show us with a double-digit lead, this race is going to tighten. It's going to come right down to the wire and we're counting on your help until the very end.
Tags: 2009, biz markie, governor, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe, va, virginia governor, will.i.am
McAuliffe Receives Celebrity Endorsement
May 13th, 2009
Connection Newspapers
Julia O'Donoghue
While political opponents criticize Terry McAuliffe for accepting political donations from wealthy Californians, the Virginia gubernatorial candidate appears to be running toward, not away from, his West Coast connections.
Hip-hop artist will.i.am took an overnight plane from Los Angeles to Dulles International Airport to spend the day campaigning with McAuliffe in Virginia May 11.
The celebrity tour included an evening event at the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington County, where those willing to donate $20 to the McAuliffe campaign could see will.i.am perform in front of a small crowd. People willing to give $500 got the opportunity to meet the music producer at a VIP reception before the short concert.
Best known as the front man for The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am produced "Boom Boom Pow," currently the most popular song in the United States, according to www.billboard.com. He also appears in the new movie "X Men Origins: Wolverine," a box office success.
"I could be doing a lot of things with my time. … I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in this guy," said will.i.am about McAuliffe.
McAuliffe is vying for the Democratic nomination for governor and faces two opponents, former Alexandria Del. Brian Moran and Charlottesville area state Sen. Creigh Deeds, in a primary June 9. The candidate is the former chair of the Democratic National Committee as well as a friend and political advisor to former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
AT BEST, will.i.am has only tangential connections to Virginia.
The performer might have visited Virginia when The Black Eyed Peas played more college shows, he said. will.i.am is also paying for a student from Delaware to attend college at Hampton University, located in Virginia.
"I am here supporting the next governor of Virginia because my heart says so. I wish he was going to be in California but he is not," said will.i.am about McAuliffe.
The will.i.am event may not have done a whole lot to prove that McAuliffe has deep roots in Virginia, something that McAuliffe, a McLean resident of nearly 20 years, insists is true.
But the artist’s endorsement caught the attention of people who would not normally pay attention to the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Eugenia White, a Fairfax County employee, hadn’t been paying attention to Virginia’s gubernatorial race at all. She receives daily email updates from the McAuliffe campaign, but she never signed up for them. She thinks she only receives them because she was a volunteer for President Barack Obama’s campaign.
Still, the will.i.am appearance caught her eye and White decided that, for $20, she would attend the event. She also read up on McAuliffe and liked what she learned about the candidate. Now, she is trying to convince her friends to support him in the upcoming election.
"I will do what I can to promote him," said White.
McAULIFFE’S RELATIONSHIP with will.i.am is more than attention grabbing. It’s an example of the candidate’s moxy.
The Black Eyed Peas first caught McAuliffe’s eye when he was watching the group’s performance at the Grammy awards in 2004 on television. At the end of the song, will.i.am urged more young people to participate in the upcoming presidential election, where George W. Bush faced U.S. Sen John Kerry (D-Mass.)
Within a few days, McAuliffe, then chair of the Democratic National Committee, called will.i.am and asked to meet up at the organization’s headquarters in Washington D.C. Shortly thereafter, will.i.am started campaigning for Kerry around the country.
"In 2004, there was not another artist who did more than will.i.am," said McAuliffe.
The performer stayed active in politics, campaigning for Obama during the 2008 presidential election. He was also a headliner for the Obama inauguration concert on the National Mall in January.
AND WHILE McAuliffe may accept support from wealthy celebrities in California, the candidate made it clear he isn’t interested in taking money from Dominion Power’s political action committee, even though the utility company is the largest statewide donor to Virginia’s political campaigns.
"I have said I won’t take a check from Dominion Power," said McAuliffe, who is in favor of wind power and other forms of renewable energy he said Dominion has not been supportive of developing.
The ban does not extend to individual contributions from retired Dominion executives or current Dominion employees that do not come through the political action committee.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign donations, Dominion executives and employees have contributed, both through its political action committee and not, approximately $5.16 million to Virginia political campaigns since 1996.
The company is an equal opportunity contributor. It gave about 40 percent of those donations to Democrats and 50 percent to Republicans over the years. Nearly all members of the Northern Virginia delegation to the General Assembly have take money from Dominion.
Since 1996, Bob McDonnell — the Republican gubernatorial nominee who also served as a delegate and attorney general — has received $180,717 from Dominion Power. Moran has taken $46,800 and Deeds has received $57,200, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
League of Conservation Voters backs McAuliffe
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters today endorsed former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor on June 9.
Board Chairman John Jaske of Rapidan said that while state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del Brian J. Moran of Alexandria have championed environmental causes in Virginia, "we believe that Mr. McAuliffe possesses the necessary qualities to lead as governor of Virginia on conservation and environmental issues so critical at this time."
League executive director Lisa Guthrie said the "dynamics of government in Virginia need to change dramatically" and said the board is "convinced that Terry McAuliffe has the broad vision and the contacts and requisite skills to meet challenges directly."
The league identified McAuliffe's priorities as promoting land preservation, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and investing in renewable energy with the proposal of building a wind farm off Virginia's coast.
"McAuliffe has a clear and complete understanding of the interconnections between land use, transportation, and energy generation and transmission" Guthrie said.
The endorsement by the 3,000 member, nonpartisan environmental group comes as a blow to Moran, the only Democratic candidate to state full opposition to a proposed coal-generated electric plant in Surry County.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Green group endorses McAuliffe in Va. race
May 6th, 2009
Associated Press
Bob Lewis
RICHMOND, Va. - Terry McAuliffe got the endorsement of a national environmental advocacy group in Virginia's three-man Democratic gubernatorial primary.
The League of Conservation Voters endorsed the former Democratic National Committee chairman Wednesday even though his rival, Brian Moran, is more outspoken against new coal-fired power plants.
Moran is the only candidate who flatly opposes a proposed coal-fired plant in the Tidewater community of Surry. McAuliffe and Creigh (Cree) Deeds say they need to see more research.
Moran also opposes offshore drilling for oil or gas, while McAuliffe says he supports drilling for gas alone.
In a release announcing the endorsement, the League tipped its hat to McAuliffe's call for sinking wind-driven turbines that generate electricity off the Virginia coast.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
The record to create jobs
Terry has a long, successful career as an entrepreneur with 13 years experience running large organizations. This morning the Washington Post examined some of the work Terry's done -- creating thousands of jobs and turning around struggling institutions. I want to make sure you've had a chance to read it.
When Terry sees opportunities, he finds ways to make them happen. He started his first business when he was just 14 years old, paving driveways so he could pay for college. At age 30, he was elected one of the youngest people to ever serve as Chairman of a federally chartered bank, which had fallen on some hard times. Terry came in, replaced the leadership team, brought in new capital, and turned things around. At a time when the federal government has had to rescue so many banks that couldn't sustain themselves, we've got a candidate who saved one from failure.
The only way we are going to fix our economic crisis and create jobs is with big bold ideas and outside-the-box thinking. And that is exactly the kind of leadership Terry will bring to the governor's office.
In his private business ventures, Terry's jumpstarted companies and structured deals that were mutually beneficial to the parties involved. As governor, we can count on him to use that same go-get-'em attitude to bring jobs to the Commonwealth. The fact that Terry knows so many business leaders personally will only enhance his ability to sell companies on the benefits of locating their operations in Virginia.
Throughout this campaign, Terry's stayed positive, and remained focused on the issues. At town halls across the Commonwealth, he's answered every tough question that's been asked of him. No one has been more accountable to Virginians about his record and agenda than Terry McAuliffe. He wouldn't have it any other way.
We only have 36 more days to communicate Terry's message of economic opportunity across Virginia. You've been there every step of the way, and we're counting on your help until the very end.
Tags: 2009, business, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
President Clinton and Terry McAuliffe Rally for JOBS
Well over one thousand people showed up to hear President Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe campaign together in Richmond and Roanoke today. The weather was perfect. And the crowds were fired up.
President Clinton – who created more jobs than any other President in US history — told the audience that Terry’s experience as an entrepreneur with 13 years experience running large organizations made him best qualified to create the jobs of the future and grow Virginia’s economy.
Terry hit a home run detailing some big ideas in his Business Plan to move Virginia forward. And he explained that as someone who hasn’t been part of the partisan, legislative battles of the past, he’ll bring a fresh approach that will deliver results in Richmond.
Check out some of the news coverage:
Former President Bill Clinton told Democrats that if they liked the way America grew jobs under his watch, they’ll love what Terry McAuliffe does as Virginia governor.[Associated Press, 4-27-08]
Clinton also said McAuliffe could keep the governor’s mansion in Democratic hands in an election that will have national political implications.“The Republicans see this an opportunity to make some gains and set the stage for 2012,” Clinton said this morning in an appearance with McAuliffe at an open-air farmer’s market in Richmond, drawing a crowd of about 400, according to Richmond officials. “Terry McAuliffe sees this an opportunity to make sure that Virginia leads the way in America’s economic recovery.”
[Roanoke Times, 4-27-08]
The former president said McAuliffe will attract businesses to Virginia and create jobs. “He was made for this moment in Virginia,” said Clinton.[Virginian-Pilot, 4-27-08]
Clinton joined McAuliffe for a mid-morning rally in Richmond’s Farmer’s Market, telling a crowd the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee is ideally suited to be Virginia’s next governor. McAuliffe’s campaign said about 600 signed in for the event.Clinton cited McAuliffe’s success as a businessman and investor, his leadership of the DNC and his ability to work with Republicans.
“He’s the right sort of bipartisan guy,“ said Clinton, with McAuliffe standing to his left. “He’ll reach out to Republicans, but he’s not the sort of guy who will let people jack you around.“
Clinton also said McAuliffe would be a superior partner with President Barack Obama. Clinton said it’s important that governors be able to work closely with the White House if the economy is to recover.
McAuliffe, who headed to Roanoke with Clinton after the Richmond appearance, attacked the all-but-official Republican nominee, former attorney general Bob McDonnell.
McAuliffe said McDonnell has an “idelogical agenda that will divide people.“
[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4-27-09]
Tags: 2009, bill clinton, campaign, economy, jobs, rally, richmond, roanoke, terry mcauliffe, virginia governor
Gardening at William & Mary
What a day! The weather turned gorgeous just in time to celebrate Earth Day. On the same day that President Obama toured a wind energy facility in Iowa, I got the chance to spend some time with Virginians doing their own small part to help create a sustainable and clean future. A few weeks back, Students For a Better Williamsburg invited me down to do some Earth Day gardening at their campus garden and talk about my ideas and plans.
Boy am I glad I went. These young people are doing pretty amazing things in their Environmental Action Coalition. Together, we planted rows of broccoli. The young activists tell me they’re working with the student kitchen and other aid organizations in Williamsburg to get the fresh broccoli incorporated into meals that will feed low income and elderly people in town. Most of the young student “farmers” tell me they are involved in various environmental activities on and off campus as well. A young lady named Virginia Jenkins is in her junior year, majoring in Spanish and Environmental Policy—but spends many days interning at a nearby farm. It is young people like Virginia who represent the future of the Commonwealth, merging traditional studies with environmental themes to help work toward a better tomorrow. Green policies make up a cornerstone of my campaign.
If we make investments in preserving our environment now, it will bring thousands of jobs to the commonwealth and help to reverse the harmful effects of climate change. I’ve spent my life building businesses, turning around struggling ones, and volunteering for the Democratic causes that I believe in. I am confident that we can do right by the environment and position our state for future economic success, but it will take strong leadership and bold ideas that don’t always come from Richmond. And I believe we need to start planning now.
My Business Plan for Virginia contains incentives for renewable power generation, investments in efficiency measures, and other demand-reducing technologies, including incentives for technologies that produce energy from biomass, such as chicken waste. As Governor, I’ll work with the State Corporation Commission to set a mandatory target for energy efficiency. I’ll focus on reducing demand for energy and investing in clean, renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar. I’ll make cleaning up the Bay a priority of my administration. And, I’ll support efforts to increase protection of open space in Virginia, including a dedicated revenue source for open space protection. I want to make Virginia a leader and a national model for Green Energy and Green Jobs. And when you look around on a day like today— with clear blue skies overhead and warm air all around-- you get it. Our Commonwealth is a beautiful place and we all have to do our part to keep it that way.
Tags: 2009, earth day, economic growth, economy, gardening, governor, jobs, mcauliffe, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, william & mary
McAuliffe wants to give teachers a raise, help with loans
Richmond Times Dispatch
April 14, 2009
Jeff Schapiro
Terry McAuliffe wants to pay teachers more — and help them pay their bills.
Pitching for the important teachers vote in the June 9 primary, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate is going beyond an article of faith with educators: pushing their wages to the national average.
According to a Web site that tracks teacher-compensation issues, Virginia ranks 27th in classroom salaries at $43,823 — about $8,000 off the national average.
Announcing his education plan yesterday, McAuliffe said Virginia should consider assisting teachers with their mortgages and car loans.
McAuliffe says that could help curtail an exodus of teachers to other fields — a departure, he said, that is hastened by rising housing and transportation costs in regions where educators would like to make their careers.
McAuliffe said the program would not be a giveaway; rather, the state would establish a “competitive, results-driven bonus-fund” to provide loan guarantees for teachers — between their third and sixth years — for home and motor-vehicle purchases.
McAuliffe did not lay out guidelines for how the financial aid would be awarded.
“There will be a criteria for who would receive the loans,” press secretary Lis Smith said in an e-mail. “Terry would work with the Board of Education and the Department of Education to determine what the criteria should be.”
In a conference call with reporters, McAuliffe did not say how Virginia could finance such a program, though he suggested the state could do so by issuing bonds paid back to investors by taxpayers over time, with interest.
McAuliffe, one of three candidates for the nomination, also urged closer cooperation between corporations and public colleges; in particular to “commercialize” research that might generate millions in additional dollars for higher education.
McAuliffe said that up to half of those funds could be used to reduce tuition.
Further, McAuliffe pledged to expand pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, an initiative of the fellow Democrat he hopes to succeed as governor, Timothy M. Kaine.
Kaine was recently appointed to McAuliffe’s old job, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Tags: 2009, college affordability, education, governor, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe, virginia
McAuliffe, Deeds seek better teacher pay
Associated Press
April 14, 2009
Bob Lewis
RICHMOND | Two of the four candidates in this year’s gubernatorial sweepstakes called for improved teacher pay and incentives, expanded worker training and more affordable college tuition Monday.
Democrats Terry McAuliffe and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds outlined detailed education platforms in separate news conferences as they and fellow Democrat Brian J. Moran head toward a June 9 primary.
Mr. Moran and the presumed Republican nominee, Bob McDonnell, have addressed some of the public education issues the two Democrats discussed Monday in a contest that is quickly gaining steam.
Mr. McAuliffe said Virginia has done a poor job attracting commercial research and capitalizing on revenue patents that result from those projects at state-supported universities.
“One of the biggest opportunities that I have continually talked about … is the hundreds of millions of dollars that I believe we are leaving yearly on the table for not commercializing the patents,” Mr. McAuliffe said in a telephone news conference.
The former Democratic National Committee chairman said Virginia makes it difficult to take a new concept out of its research universities and onto the market.
“There’s not a streamlined process,” he said. “I’ve spoken to many university presidents here in Virginia as I’ve traveled around, and they say, ‘Terry, if you don’t talk about anything else keep talking about this because it is just too difficult for us to bring private dollars in.’ “
He and Mr. Deeds both noted that Virginia’s nationally acclaimed state-supported colleges were among the least affordable. Both also noted that the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education had given Virginia a grade of F in college affordability.
“Cost should not be the barrier to a Virginian who wants to pursue their dreams of a higher education,” Mr. Deeds said at a Capitol Square news conference.
He proposed boosting the number of college degrees students receive over the next four years by 70,000 by expanding college access, particularly at community colleges and by boosting need-based tuition aid.
Mr. McAuliffe tossed in a pair of unconventional proposals.
He advocated a pool of capital, perhaps backed by state bonds, to provide cheap car and home loans for public school teachers. That would help retain teachers in areas where living costs have outstripped their salaries, he said.
“We want them to have a long-term income stream, and part of making sure they do that is if, through the state, we provide a fund,” he said. “It’s not going to cost you money, because these teachers will pay back the loans.”
Mr. McAuliffe tossed in some future-world curricular concepts, saying he would urge “a new emphasis on analysis, self-discipline, organizational skills and the adaption to team dynamics.”
Statewide, academic core curricula are defined in state law known as the Standards of Quality.
Mr. Deeds and Mr. McAuliffe proposed expanding former Gov. Mark R. Warner’s program to allow high school seniors to earn college credit hours, and applying the preschool learning initiative that was a priority of Gov. Tim Kaine to all students.
They also endorsed raising public school teachers’ salaries to the national average. For the 2007-08 school year, the U.S. average was $52,300 per year and $46,800 for Virginia, according to the National Education Association.
“How do you expect excellence in schools when you’re not even willing to pay for average?” Mr. Deeds said.
Tags: 2009, college affordability, education, governor, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe, virginia
Washington Post's Dana Milbank on Terry and Trash
Tags: 2009, business plan, energy, fairfax, governor, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe, virginia
Bob McDonnell and Republicans "Too Busy" to Explain Rejecting $125 Million for Unemployed Virginians
Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans turned their backs on Virginia families and Virginia’s economy.
They refused $125 million in federal economic recovery funds that would go directly to the families who need it most by providing unemployment assistance.
With communities facing record unemployment, it is an unconscionable ideological attack on Virginians who have lost their jobs.
Tell Bob McDonnell to help Virginia families and Virginia’s economy.
Lowell said over at BlueVA:
So, they weren't too busy to reject $125 million for struggling, unemployed Virginians; they're just too busy to talk about their outrageous votes? Niiiiiice.
Tags: 2009, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Weekly Blog Roundup 3/27/09
This week there was a heavy round of debate and discussion about the gubernatorial race among local bloggers. Several came out in support of Terry after he released the next chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia. Other blogs reported on positive editorials, interviews about Terry with local strategists, and Terry filing more than 17,000 signatures to run for governor.
Dave “Mudcat” Saunders was interviewed on the subject of the Virginia gubernatorial race by Lowell at Blue Virginia. Saunders talked about all three Democratic candidates, and had several comments on the importance of Terry’s positive campaign at this time in the primary.
"I’m not sure I’ve ever met anybody more positive thinking than Terry McAuliffe. That’s not just a positive attitude but a positive lifestyle as well." "Right now, the whole country – not just Virginia – needs a positive attitude." "This primary’s not about tearing down the party, it’s about lifting up the party."
Terry gained a new young supporter this week, Roanoke Valley Young Democrats President Aaron Lyles. Lyles praises Terry for listening to people in all corners of the state through his travels and numerous campaign offices.
Terry McAuliffe has shown every indication that he wants to be our Governor. At roundtables, he has asked for people to come and give him ideas instead of the entire campaign being about him. For these reasons, I have decided to support Terry McAuliffe to be the 71st Governor of the Commonwealth.
At Blue Virginia, Lowell also provided commentary on a recent editorial about Terry in the Richmond Times Dispatch. He agrees with the Times-Dispatch that Terry’s campaign is about big ideas and serious solutions for Virginia.
Isn't that what primaries are supposed to be all about? The RTD clearly believes the answer to that question is "yes": …A well-known aphorism (or perhaps a bromide) contends that small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas. Petty personal attacks and cheap zingers will appear with more frequency as November approaches. But if it is too much to call McAuliffe a great mind, then at least his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign.
At Blue Commonwealth, Alan Krishnan praised Terry’s business experience and discussed the details of Terry’s Business Plan for Virginia.
McAuliffe has the most business experience of all the candidates running for Governor and admittedly he has demonstrated the most success in setting up and turning around businesses, and making millions for himself out of his many business ventures. Can he do this for the Commonwealth of Virginia? I reviewed Chapter 2 of the McAuliffe Business Plan for Virginia, and I believe he gets it. McAuliffe understands what Virginia needs and he recognizes that there is no one size fits all solution.
Also at Blue Commonwealth, Brian White wrote a post describing the amount of grassroots support Terry has behind his campaign. He witnessed the sheer number of volunteers that were working hard for Terry when Brian stopped by the Virginia Beach campaign office.
When I dropped into Terry McAuliffe’s Campaign office in VA Beach to get in some phone banking Monday evening there were no available phones…Don’t get me wrong, Terry had plenty of phone lines, but there were so many citizens out mobilized, working hard for the campaign that I simply had to wait my turn… those that knock on doors, make phone calls, work the polls, serve as precinct captains and organize our local party committees are squarely behind Terry McAuliffe... who is running (no surprise to anyone) a wildly organized, extensive and exciting campaign early in this primary.
Belle Rose of Coarse Cracked Corn reported on the candidates filing to run for Governor of Virginia this week. Thanks to Terry’s overwhelming grassroots support and volunteers, he was the first to file petitions to run.
Terry McAuliffe became the first Democratic gubernatorial candidate to file petitions for the June 9 primary. He filed 17,243 signatures with the State Board of Elections yesterday. Jody Wagner filed 17,858 signatures for lieutenant governor. It is a bit of "race" to file first - which should earn McAuliffe and Wagner top spots on the ballot and a bit of publicity this week.
In a diary at Daily Kos, Sora Dina talked about how Terry’s Business Plan for Virginia will can help her start her own business. After considering the potential of all three gubernatorial candidates, Sora Dina finds that Terry is the only candidate with a comprehensive plan that addresses her concerns of being a small business owner.
Virginia's next governor should establish policies to help anyone living in Virginia begin and establish a business and to make that dream become a reality… only one candidate has posted a comprehensive business plan on his website that addresses specific areas of concern to me as a potential woman business owner…In Chapter Two of his business plan Terry McAuliffe has included ways to help small businesses succeed and encourage entrepreneurs.
Beach Boomer endorsed Terry in a post at Blue Commonwealth this week, saying that despite being tired from fully investing his time in 2008 campaigns, Terry has motivated him to get involved in 2009.
But this man - Terry McAuliffe - was one who had impressed me during an earlier campaign effort with the vitality and enthusiasm he exhibited on a 24/7 basis. Should he be elected Governor, I had no doubt that the Commonwealth would benefit from four years of tireless promotion of Virginia's interests. And we, the citizens of the Commonwealth, would be the beneficiaries…This enthusiastic Virginia Beach Grassroots Activist strongly supports McAuliffe for Governor. And many of my most dedicated volunteers join me in support of a man who will make intelligent, pragmatic decisions that benefit all Virginians.
Tags: 2009, bloggers, blogs, business, business plan, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia, weekly blog roundup
Too far
Today, one of our Democratic opponents took their attacks against Terry too far. Virginia Democrats have worked too long and too hard to stand by and watch the divisiveness that's plagued the Republicans start poisoning our Party just when we've had great success.
Everyone knows that Terry McAuliffe supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries. But the day after she got out of the race, he hit the road fighting for Barack Obama. Terry spent the last 30 years of his life volunteering to advance Democratic causes; he even built from scratch the voter file that that helped Barack Obama win in Virginia. And to insinuate that he is a traitor to our Party is beyond nonsense -- it is a Karl Rove-style attack.
I've always said that this primary was going to get rough, but in all the years I've worked in Virginia politics, I've never seen another Democrat use the kind of smear tactics that are being used against Terry for taking a bipartisan approach to politics - just like Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Jim Webb and Barack Obama.
Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.
Terry's the most positive person I've ever come across, and we've made it clear from day one that this campaign isn't going to attack other Democrats. Republican nominee Bob McDonnell is the one who's fought Governors Warner and Kaine's agenda to move Virginia forward over the last seven years, so we're saving our criticism for him.
But you better believe that we're going to set the record straight when our opponents start flinging mud Terry's way. That's why today, I want to share with you a portion of our website where you can get the information you need to fight back against misleading attacks and spread the truth. We're counting on you.
Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.
We cannot let these petty political games get in the way of the real issues facing our Commonwealth. That's why Terry's taken a different approach in this campaign.
Just yesterday the Richmond Times Dispatch wrote that "McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring." The newspaper said that "his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign."
This campaign starts with you. And we're counting on your help to spread the truth so that we can focus on urgent economic problems staring us in the face.
Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.
The bottom line is that stakes are way too high for Democrats to be tearing each other down. Sustained job creation, health insurance for our families, and progress in public education all depend on continued forward-thinking Democratic leadership in the governor's office.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mike henry, positive, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe Unveils Plan to Increase Accountability and Transparency
Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today unveiled his plan to strengthen transparency and accountability in state government and the private sector. McAuliffe proposed a ban on all lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and the executive branch, strengthening transparency by making our state budget more accessible and easy to understand, as well as fostering corporate accountability by strengthening ethics programs.
"As we work to grow our economy and create jobs across the Commonwealth, we must lead by example and demonstrate to taxpayers that their money is being spent fairly and wisely," McAuliffe said. "That's why I've pledged not to take any corporate contributions from companies or their corporate PACs receiving taxpayer-funded TARP money and to donate my salary as governor."
McAuliffe's accountability plan includes the following provisions:
Lobbyist Gift ban. In Virginia, there is no limit on the amount or types of gifts or trips that lobbyists can give to lawmakers or the executive branch. The only rule is that they must disclose gifts over a certain amount. This proposal would ban all gifts and trips from lobbyists to lawmakers and members of the executive branch.
Establish a Sunshine Website. This website would post campaign contribution information on a state-run website. All information required by state law from candidates would be posted. Additionally, the website would bring together information on campaign contributions to lawmakers and sponsored legislation. Virginians would be able to click on a legislator's name and view links to the bills that he or she sponsored in a given session as well as a link to major campaign contributors.
State budget as an online, searchable document. In order to encourage transparency, our state budget should be posted online in a format that is easy to search so that citizens can more easily understand how tax dollars are being spent. The budget is currently posted online, but is not in a user-friendly format. Creating a searchable document will allow citizens to keep track more directly of where their taxpayer dollars are being spent.
Database of government contracts. To encourage further transparency in government, an online database should be established so that taxpayers can see what contracts are held with the private sector. This database should also be searchable.
Strengthen ethics courses. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia calls for creation and expansion of entrepreneurship programs at our institutions of higher education, including community colleges. As part of this renewed focus on entrepreneurship programs, ethics programs must be evaluated and, where necessary, strengthened to enforce the importance of ethics in business management.
Encourage good corporate citizenship. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia builds on existing incentives and creates new ones to encourage businesses to start, expand, and flourish in Virginia. As governor, McAuliffe will ensure that all incentives given from the state are tied to strict claw-back provisions and other measures to make sure that companies receiving taxpayer dollars act in an appropriate and ethical fashion. Performance measures must be set and companies will be held accountable for commitments they make regarding job creation and investment.
Tags: 2009, accountability, ethics, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transparency, virginia, virginia governor
First to File
Yesterday in Richmond, Terry was the first candidate to submit petitions to run for governor. Arriving before any other candidate at noon, the earliest time to submit petitions, Terry once again showed the grassroots organization and powerful support behind his campaign.
After months of building the largest grassroots campaign in Virginia gubernatorial history, Terry submitted 17,243 signatures, well over the 10,000 needed to qualify. Terry's field organizers recruited volunteers to gather signatures and lay the groundwork for a successful field operation. With a little more than two months to go before primary election day, we look forward to continuing a strong Democratic campaign with help from volunteers and supporters like you.
Check out the video below of Terry handing over his boxes of signatures in Richmond.
Tags: 2009, gov-va, governor 2009, grassroots, macker, mcauliffe, petitions, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia
Great Expectations
March 25th, 2009
Editorial
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe is not only raising the volume of the gubernatorial contest. He is also raising the bar.
McAuliffe is rolling out a series of position papers on energy and business that go well beyond the typical two-page brochure full of bromides. This is not to say they eschew bromides; they include plenty. But they include more than mere bromides. In this day and age, that's commendable.
It's also risky. Staking out policy details invites scrutiny and a demand for more. How, for instance, does McAuliffe plan to "improve the efficiency of home natural gas furnaces"? How will his emphasis on fostering innovative technology avoid redundancy in state efforts? (Virginia already has a Center for Innovative Technology, for instance.) How would his attempt to streamline the regulatory permitting process differ from similar attempts in the past?
McAuliffe's latest proposal calls for a pilot program in which the state would help businesses defray the cost of their federal payroll taxes. That looks a lot like former Gov. Jim Glimore's car-tax relief, which uses state funds to offset local revenue lost by rolling back the personal-property tax. Some state Democrats have long criticized car-tax relief as little more than a tax-revenue shell game.
Yet by inviting such questions, McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring. A well-known aphorism (or perhaps a bromide) contends that small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas. Petty personal attacks and cheap zingers will appear with more frequency as November approaches. But if it is too much to call McAuliffe a great mind, then at least his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, editorial, governor, ideas, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe reveals plan to revive jobs
March 24th, 2009
Garren Shipley
The Northern Virginia Daily
With Virginia's economy shedding jobs and unemployment rising, the campaigns of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates are finding a common, familiar refrain.
As Bill Clinton's lead political strategist, James Carville, famously said during the 1992 presidential race, "It's the economy, stupid."
Unemployment in the Old Dominion rose to 6.4 percent in January after seeing rates as low as 3 percent in 2006, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. Manufacturing wages and hours worked also fell.
All four gubernatorial candidates have pushed the economy to the forefront of their campaigns, as they slug it out in advance of the June primary for the Democrats' spot on the November ballot.
The winner will face former Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe rolled out the second part of his campaign's "Business Plan for Virginia" on Monday, emphasizing help for Virginia's small businesses and areas of high unemployment.
Under his plan, businesses that create jobs in high unemployment areas would get help from Richmond in paying their federal tax bills -- a refund of the higher federal payroll taxes levied for employees in Virginia.
But there are caveats.
"These jobs will have to offer benefits, such as health insurance, and will have to be in high-growth industries, like energy," McAuliffe said.
Former Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, picked up the theme last week, introducing his vision of a retooled state government to protect taxpayers.
In addition to streamlined procurement procedures for state purchases, all programs would face a sunset review panel, which would review every program in state government once every 10 years.
Programs that aren't needed would be discontinued.
Other states have found significant cost savings by creating review commissions. Texas saved $37 for every $1 it spent on its panel, according to Moran's campaign.
Economic issues are also the top priority for Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, the third Democratic entrant in the race.
Bringing jobs back to the commonwealth means re-tooling the state's community college system to retrain workers, the campaign says in a statement.
"Every Virginian is within an hour's drive of a community college -- creating the perfect infrastructure to train or retrain workers for new jobs," Deeds' campaign said.
"North Carolina is using its community college system to take laid off $15,000 per year textile workers and training them to be $40 to $50 per hour pharmaceutical manufacturing workers," Deeds' campaign said.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe emphasizes revitalization
March 24th, 2009
John Crane
The Danville Register & Bee
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled the second chapter of his statewide business plan Monday at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.
He emphasized the need for tax incentives for industries to deliver high-paying jobs to economically depressed Southside Virginia, as well as strengthening existing small businesses.
“I will not be satisfied until every part of Virginia sees economic growth,” McAuliffe said.
The first chapter of his plan was revealed about two weeks ago and focused on renewable energy. The second part stresses revitalizing the economy and creating good jobs in Virginia.
McAuliffe said he would make sure his plan is tailored to different regions’ respective needs.
“My No. 1 job as governor will be to create and attract good jobs,” McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe pointed to the Southside region’s high unemployment rates, with the city of Danville at 16.8 percent and the city of Martinsville at 18 percent.
To alleviate joblessness, the candidate said he would establish a pilot program to award tax incentives to employers who bring high-wage jobs to the area.
For example, if a company employs more Virginia workers, or pays them higher wages, the commonwealth will pay the extra payroll taxes the federal government imposes compared to the previous year, McAuliffe said. Those jobs must be in high-growth industries, such as energy, and offer benefits, he said.
“I want to create jobs in the industries of the future,” McAuliffe said.
Part of that plan is to offer grants to communities to help them purchase large tracts of land for mega-park projects offering at least 1,000 jobs, he said, pledging to focus on incentives like financial assistance, infrastructure development grants and tax credits.
Small businesses are the backbone of this state, McAuliffe said, noting almost half of the state’s work force is employed by small businesses.
“We need to help small businesses to start up and to flourish in Virginia,” he said.
McAuliffe said he would expand small business incubators that provide resources to them like office space, supplies, advice for startups and help accessing capital. He said he would create more types of assistance for startups and allow startups in high-growth industries to defer their taxes for several years.
The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee also pledged to form an advisory committee to keep him abreast of up-and-coming economic issues unique to each region in the state.
During an interview after the presentation, McAuliffe, who was stumping in Danville the same day as Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, would not comment on the issue of uranium mining.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill about six miles northeast of Chatham. The Virginia Coal & Energy Commission’s Uranium Mining Subcommittee is overseeing a study to determine whether uranium can be mined and milled safely in the state.
“Let’s wait to see the results of the study,” McAuliffe said.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe would use tax incentives to attract new jobs
March 24th, 2009
Michael Sluss
The Roanoke Times
New tax breaks and more generous incentives can help Virginia create and keep jobs and boost economies in struggling areas of the state, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe said Monday.
McAuliffe said that Virginia should offer new and more generous incentives to compete with other states for major employers, particularly in emerging industries such as renewable energy. He announced his proposals during a visit to Danville, part of a region struggling with high unemployment rates.
"The smartest strategies for sustained economic growth do not focus on creating or retaining just any business or job to Virginia," McAuliffe said. "Instead, we need to go out and attract those sustainable industries that will grow in the future, that will pay good wages, that will include good benefits."
McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is battling state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former state Del. Brian Moran for the party's nomination, which will be decided in a June 9 primary. Former attorney general Bob McDonnell is the presumptive Republican nominee and will begin a formal campaign kickoff tour Saturday.
McAuliffe's announcement Monday covered the second element of his emerging "business plan" for the state.
He proposed a pilot tax credit program to lure high-growth industries with generous wages and benefits to areas with high unemployment rates. Under his proposal, the state would refund any increase in federal payroll taxes paid by a company that employs more Virginia workers or increases their wages. But the state would benefit, he said.
"The good news about a program like this [is] you're not doing this unless new jobs are being created," McAuliffe said in a conference call with reporters. "So I'm going to have someone new paying state taxes and new revenue for us."
McAuliffe also called for an additional $10 million in the Governor's Opportunity Fund, a discretionary "deal-closing" fund that provides grants for infrastructure and site improvements for new and expanding businesses. And he proposed creating regional site planning grants that local governments could use for planning of sites suitable for major business prospects.
McAuliffe's plan also includes steps to boost access to capital for new and expanding businesses, such as creation of a $10 million revolving fund that could be used for direct investments in "homegrown businesses" with significant growth potential. Similar steps have been taken in other states, he said.
In a conference call, McAuliffe batted away questions about the prospects of uranium mining in Pittsylvania County, saying he will await completion of a study before taking a position on the issue.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe unveils new business plan
March 23rd, 2009
WAVY.com
Joined by community members in Danville, gubernatorial Terry McAuliffe today unveiled the second chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which is focused on growing Virginia's economy. Discussing his decades of experience building and turning around businesses, McAuliffe pledged that creating jobs would be his top priority in the Governor's office.
"As I've been saying wherever I go across Virginia, there's no such thing as a Republican job or a Democratic job - we simply need to bring people together to create good jobs, and that's what I've been doing my whole life," McAuliffe said. "My Business Plan for Virginia is really a jobs plan - my number one priority as Governor will be to create, attract, and keep good jobs with good wages and benefits for every Virginia family."
McAuliffe said that we must use incentives and tax credits to produce long-term growth in high-wage, high-value jobs. He pledged to target incentives like financial assistance, infrastructure development grants, tax credits and exemptions, and customized training and technical support programs to focus on the industries we know will produce strong businesses and good jobs.
To create jobs in hard-hit areas, McAuliffe pledged to establish a pilot project to award key tax incentives to create good jobs with benefits in high-need areas. This tax incentive would reward businesses for creating the good jobs we want in Virginia - by refunding to businesses each year the increase in federal payroll tax they pay over the previous year for employees in Virginia. That means that if a company employs more Virginia workers - or pays them higher wages - the Commonwealth will pay the extra taxes the federal government imposes. These jobs will have to offer benefits, such as health insurance, and will have to be in high-growth industries, like energy.
"As a businessman, I understand the challenges facing our communities today," McAuliffe said. "While we need to bring in industries that can create thousands of good jobs, we also need to help small businesses start and flourish here in Virginia. Nearly half of Virginia's workforce is employed at small businesses, so when our small businesses are successful, so are our families and communities."
Small businesses are the backbone of Virginia's economy, yet countless small and family-owned businesses are being lost each day in Virginia as the recession and the credit crunch continue. McAuliffe pledged to encourage entrepreneurs by expanding small business incubators, which provide resources such as office space and supplies, advice to start up businesses from established incubator managers, and help accessing capital.
Additionally, McAuliffe said he would propose deferring the taxable income of qualified startup businesses that allow start-ups in high-growth fields defer their taxes at the outset. These businesses would still have to pay their taxes, but they would be able to defer payment for a few years during the period they most need the money to finance job growth. McAuliffe also outlined his strategy for building regional economies.
"My business plan recognizes that different parts of Virginia have different needs," McAuliffe said. "Our economy is composed of a number of regional economies that vary significantly in their strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Today, Virginia has a statewide economic plan and a rural economic plan, but no true regional strategies. My administration will fill that critical gap."
McAuliffe pledged to involve business leaders and experts on the economic growth sectors that the state would be targeting while also ensuring broad participation through public meetings. To ensure economic growth in every corner of Virginia, McAuliffe said that he would direct all agencies in state government to promote regional efforts and, where appropriate, give preference to multi-jurisdictional proposals with a regional impact for state funding. He also outlined a plan to create a Governor's Regional Economic Advisory Committee to advise him on new and emerging economic issues unique to each part of the Commonwealth, in coordination with existing regional economic development organizations. He pledged to personally chair this Committee and hold regular meetings throughout the state with members to discuss each area's unique economic opportunities and challenges.
"I want to make one point emphatically clear," McAuliffe said. "I will not be satisfied unless every part of our state achieves its economic potential."
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe talks jobs in Southside Va. swing
March 24th, 2009
Jeff Schapiro
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Terry McAuliffe, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, is in Southside Virginia today, talking about bringing jobs to the economically hard-hit region.
McAuliffe traveled to Danville this morning to roll out the latest component of what he calls a "Business Plan for Virginia." It includes tax incentives to lure big industry as well as assistance for small business.
Danville's jobless rate in 16.8 percent. In nearby Martinsville, unemployment is 18 percent. In Henry County, it's 13 percent.
McAuliffe, a New York-born investor-businessman with close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton, is proposing a pilot program under which firms that create jobs in ailing areas would get help from the state paying their federal payroll taxes.
Under his plan, if that business hires more workers or increases their wages, the state would pay the additional taxes imposed on the company by Washington.
As for small businesses and start-ups, McAuliffe envisions more so-called incubators. Typically, they are clusters of new firms that operate from the same office, sharing equipment, storage space and some employees, such as receptionists.
McAuliffe, a former national Democratic chairman who lives in McLean, is one of three prospects for his party's gubernatorial nomination. It will be decided in a June 9 primary.
McAuliffe is opposed by state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Chapter Two of My Business Plan for Virginia: Jobs
I've spent a lot of time traveling the Commonwealth, listening to Virginians tell me what's on their minds. And one thing I’ve noticed is that the people who are dealing with challenges day to day often have the best ideas about how to overcome them. Too often we see the same old policies come from the top-down. But not all good ideas come out of Richmond. They come from all corners of the Commonwealth.
That’s why I’ve spent the past several weeks asking you – online, and at economic roundtables all over Virginia – what would you do if you were governor?
Today. I’m unveiling the first chapter of my Business Plan to get Virginia’s economy moving, and I’ve incorporated a lot of great ideas that I heard from you.
I’m running for governor because I believe we need to think bigger. Instead of just focusing on how to get through the next month, the next year, or the next election, we need to think more imaginatively about how to make our Commonwealth run better. And instead of compartmentalizing our thinking – developing separate plans for “jobs,” “schools,” “health” or “the environment” – we need a coherent and comprehensive business plan for the Commonwealth that approaches all these issues as inter-related.
That’s what my plan does. Even though I’m releasing it one chapter at a time, my Business Plan was developed as a whole, and it recognizes that these issues and strategies all must work together to add value and create jobs in our state.
The second chapter of my Business Plan for Virginia is focused on the single most important thing we have to do to get our economy moving again -- we have to create jobs. My plan will provide incentives and tax credits to produce long-term growth in high-wage, high-value jobs with benefits in the parts of the state that need them most. I understand that not all parts of the Commonwealth are the same – and each region needs a targeted approach. That is why my plan will create competitive regional site planning grants that local governments could use to prepare for potential “mega projects” that create 1000 or more jobs. And as governor, I will continue efforts to bring renewable-energy and green businesses to Virginia and make sure we are growing not just any business, but the right businesses in the Commonwealth.
As a businessman, I understand that entrepreneurs need help so they can create good jobs. In addition to bringing in new, large industries that can create thousands of jobs, my plan will help small, women-, and minority-owned businesses start and flourish in Virginia. And I know that startup businesses need help the most to finance job growth – and that is why I propose deferring the taxable income of qualified businesses for a few years as well as providing facilities and office equipment as these firms get underway. And, my plan encourages the development and expansion of entrepreneurship programs at our institutions of higher education –particularly at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Click Here to Read Chapter Two.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe's Campaign Junk-et
March 20th, 2009 Washington Post Dana MilbankThere is really no cleaning up the fact that Terry McAuliffe practices trash politics.
Campaign with him for a few hours and you feel as if you need to take a shower. In fact, the dirty little secret can now be told: McAuliffe, venture capitalist and Clinton moneyman, is the junkyard dog of the Virginia gubernatorial race.
"I love trash," he said yesterday. "I love chicken litter, cow manure, garbage. . . . This is the kind of thing that gets me excited."
And if his opponents were to accuse him of dirty tricks?
"They would probably be right," he admitted with a grin.
McAuliffe said these words -- shouted them, actually -- while standing on a steel grate overlooking a huge trash pit yesterday in Lorton. Claws dangling from cranes grabbed mounds of refuse. Dust flew everywhere. The pit was dark. The smell was bad.
"This is as good as it gets," McAuliffe said. "How exciting is this?" Nodding, grinning, he shouted above the mechanical groans: "Look at those claws!"
Actually, the place was a dump. And that's how McAuliffe likes it. Not since Oscar the Grouch has a creature so enjoyed his trash.
How do you turn a fast-talking, hard-partying Democratic Party apparatchik from New York who lives in McLean into a Virginia commoner? Evidently, you get him involved in solid waste. McAuliffe's campaign for governor is based in no small part on garbage.
The Macker has always comported himself with the boundless enthusiasm of a Bernese mountain dog: as entrepreneur, fundraiser, Democratic National Committee chairman and Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign manager, who, on the night his candidate effectively lost the party's nomination, introduced her as "the next president of the United States."
Now McAuliffe, who speaks almost entirely in exclamation points, is applying that same zeal to being a man of the people. As part of his campaign, he has spent a day working as a busboy and a bartender. He plans to labor on a ship. "I've been an African American barber," the Irish candidate reported to his hosts at the landfill in Lorton yesterday. "You know, about three Saturdays ago, there was a grass fire out here," he told the workers at the waste plant. "You know who was on the firetruck to put it out? I was! I was a fireman that day. . . . I got those hoses out so fast, you would not have a plant today if I had not been on that truck. Saved your plant. Probably saved Northern Virginia."
Something McAuliffe is doing must be working. Thanks in large part to his personal wealth and his fundraising network, he is considered a good bet to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary in June.
Before the candidate arrived yesterday at the Covanta Energy facility, a project with Fairfax County that turns solid waste into energy, a procession of garbage trucks made its way around the hills of decomposing trash. A Chevy Tahoe hybrid pulled up and McAuliffe hopped out, holding a 7-Eleven coffee cup -- no more effete Starbucks lattes for this man of the people. He had traded in his pinstripes and wingtips for hiking boots, khakis and a V-neck sweater. Greeted by Covanta officials, he started his trash-talking immediately. "Chicken waste, trash, I love it all," he said. "Can't get enough of it."
He introduced his assistant: "He's living the dream every day. Chicken waste last week, landfill today." He introduced Peter O'Keefe, "our senior policy adviser on, uh -- waste! Behind me, he's the one who gets second most excited about waste. Right, Petey?"
"There's Terry and then a two-mile drop-off when it comes to level of excitement," O'Keefe answered.
A PowerPoint presentation was given for the candidate, who nodded vigorously, scribbled notes and interrupted continually. "Totally unrelated, but I spoke to the Boilermakers this morning," he declared. "We've got to build boilers in Virginia." He further volunteered his view that "we've got to be educating students that this is a field to go into. I wouldn't call it garbage. Spice it up a bit. Look what I've done for chicken waste in this state!"
"Okay," said the man giving the presentation. "We're running a little behind."
The officials showed McAuliffe a model of the plant and its byproducts: pit, furnace, flue gas, lime slurry, fly ash, drop house, scrubber. He reacted with "interesting" and "gotcha" and "wow" and "yup" and "hmm" and "huh." The candidate was ready for his tour. "Wow, look at this," he marveled at the slurry tower. Moving on to the pit, he watched the claws lift and drop the trash to compress it. "That was a fluff," he reported. The guide pointed out that, because of all the questions, the tour was running late. "We want to see it all," McAuliffe insisted. "Don't hold back!"
On to the furnaces, then. "Twenty-two hundred degrees!" McAuliffe shouted to his entourage. "Wow! That baby is at 2,200? Wow!"
On the elevator ride to the plant's control room, somebody asked McAuliffe whether he preferred the Lorton plant or his earlier trip to a chicken waste facility. "All of it," the candidate replied judiciously, before coming clean and acknowledging that chicken waste "was my first date."
After a close-up examination of the trash unloading operation, the millionaire fundraiser climbed onto a garbage truck to chat with prospective voters. Terry McAuliffe was in his element.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fairfax, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Nonsense
The executives at AIG just don't get it.
I supported this administration's plan to inject capital into the marketplace, but like the President, I believe that there needs to be accountability. We need to stabilize the economy and help struggling homeowners, not reward failed corporate management.
The executives who brought insurance giant AIG to the brink of failure are set to receive about $165 million in bonuses - and they don't mind if taxpayers are footing the bill.
As someone who helped save a bank from failure, I can't describe how disgusting this is. It's rewarding failure. And I need your help to stop this nonsense.
I'm happy to see that President Obama is doing everything in his power to make sure the government holds these people accountable. But they also need to hold themselves accountable. Corporate irresponsibility extends only as far as individuals who are willing to act unethically.
Yesterday, AIG's Chief Executive said he'd asked the recipients of the most excessive compensation packages to give half of their bonuses back -- and some already have. But that's not good enough. These people helped create the crisis we are in now. They don't deserve a dime.
As someone who's built businesses, I'm proud that our Commonwealth's been consistently rated the best state in the nation to do business. And if you're a CEO who's providing value to your shareholders, there shouldn't be any limits to what you can earn.
But in this economy, we all need to do our part.
First, I won't accept any corporate or corporate PAC campaign contributions from any companies receiving federal bailout money.
Second, as your governor, I'm going to donate my salary to build a gymnasium for a school that needs one. And I'll call on CEOs across Virginia to make similar commitments to help out their communities in need.
Giving hundreds of millions in bonuses to people who have run their company into the ground while countless Americans watch their jobs, homes and savings slip away is not only fundamentally unfair, it also creates an incentive structure that is just bad for business.
So please, help restore corporate responsibility and join my call to action today.
Tell AIG Executives to Reject their Bonuses.
Tags: 2009, aig, bonuses, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
The Driving Force
Because of you, we scored a big victory at Gerry Connolly's St. Patrick's Day Straw Poll this week. With the first contested Democratic gubernatorial primary fight in decades and all three candidates speaking, the stakes couldn't have been higher.
By the end of the night, the Washington Post reported that Terry "overwhelmingly won" and observed that, "McAuliffe outshined his rivals in both organization and spirit at the event." Dr. Bob Holsworth, one of Virginia's preeminent political pundits, noted that we brought new people into the process in order to win the straw poll - and that's what this campaign is all about. In addition to praising our mobilization efforts, Holsworth noted that, "McAuliffe and his campaign exult and excel in the 'theatre of politics,' more so than any Democrat since Doug Wilder."
Tuesday was a powerful testament to the strength of our grassroots support and a nice boost for our campaign. The National Journal noted that, "Connolly's event could be a key early indicator of who the faithful believe might win the day come June."
The press also picked up on our use of new technology to get our message out, observing that we
handed green carnations to supporters [Tuesday] night and urged them to hold onto the flowers until notified via text how to proceed. At 8:26 p.m., before the final count was announced, a message crossed phones and Blackberries gripped by the faithful:
"Please give your carnation to a Moran or Deeds supporter and tell them that come November, we all need to keep Virginia blue together."
[National Journal, 3-18-09]
At the end of day, we must work together to elect our nominee the 71st Governor of Virginia. As Democrats, beating Bob McDonnell has to be our focus and goal. The stakes are too high for us to be divided.
There are only 82 days until Election Day on June 9th. The polls will be open from 6 AM to 7 PM. Remember, you are the driving force behind this campaign. Thanks so much for all your help on Tuesday. Let's keep it up.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, grassroots, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe's Boundless BTUs
March 19th, 2009 Hotline Jennifer SkalkaThere's something strangely familiar about watching former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe look longingly into the bowels of a massive waste treatment facility packed with thousands of tons of trash.
The admiration in his eyes for the large steel jaws that tossed around the items like winnable amusement park stuffed animals residing in the bottom of a small glass box. The sheer excitement as he gazed into the incinerator, which flamed a bright orange, burning the goods until they're ready to be shot out over the grid. As if every element of the processing facility at Covanta Energy's resource recovery complex in Lorton, Va., required his cheer.
"This is your future," McAuliffe, wearing a hard hat and goggles, bellowed into the abyss of stinking detritus below. "This is as good as it gets."
McAuliffe, you're possibly thinking, knows a thing or two about pushing party trash. He was, after all, First Friend to President Clinton, to whom he served as advocate-in-chief during the Monica Lewinsky impeachment scandal, among other sagas. He stood by Bill and Hillary Clinton through wins and losses, but he has launched his first bid for office. He wants to be governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
And hey, turning waste into energy, isn't that every politician's aim?
Some say he is bored. Others suggest he is looking for a new challenge. A vehicle for his boundless BTUs.
Waste, rather renewable energy, is a focus of his campaign for governor. Today, if it would help the state power more homes, one surmises McAuliffe would have happily been dubbed the 'King of Trash.'
"I love all waste, we need to do all of it," said McAuliffe, who likes to reminisce of late about his visits to Virginia chicken farms. Chicken waste is a pet project. The state produces 500,000 tons a year, he'll say to anyone who will listen, enough to light up 40,000 homes.
McAuliffe, a Syracuse native who has lived in McLean for 17 years, is - and those who know the former party fundraiser extraordinaire will confirm - a hyperkinetic bundle. He is vying with two other Democrats for the state's top job, and if he wins the primary, he would face a formidable Republican, former state attorney general Bob McDonnell.
So he's pouring everything he knows about being the man behind the candidate into being the one he's selling. And questions spilled out of him today without pause.
When by a Covanta official that the company has facilities in 16 states and 8 counties and is headquartered in New Jersey, McAuliffe interrupted -
"And you're open to moving those to Virginia?"
When did Covanta start?
What did it start as?
When did it go public?
What makes the company want to move to a state?
As McAuliffe talked, he even stumbled into a campaign slogan with potential:
"New energy for new jobs," he said, with a finger point for emphasis.
But when McAuliffe asked if the company is working with local community colleges to train students for jobs in the industry, the McAuliffe of old - the able spinner - emerged. McAuliffe, who started as a 20-something raising cash for President Carter's re-elect and became one of the most well-known Democratic fundraisers in modern politics, just couldn't help himself. The pitch itself is second nature.
"Garbage isn't exactly the most sexy job," said the Covanta employee who heads up external affairs.
"Well, we wouldn't call it garbage," McAuliffe advised. "We'd spice it up a little bit."
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fairfax, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Waste to Power, Landfills Are Bright Spot in Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate's Energy Plan
March 19th, 2009 News Channel 8LORTON, Va. - Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled his environmental plan, at a northern Virginia landfill, to highlight the importance of renewable resources in the commonwealth.
The former DNC chair said if elected to be Virginia's next governor, he plans to transform landfills into producers of inexpensive power. He took a tour of Covanta Energy in Lorton, which produces enough electricity to power 90,000 homes. It's a model McAuliffe hopes to replicate throughout the commonwealth.
In just days, nearly 15,000 tons of trash, mostly from Fairfax County, was collected at Covanta's energy-from-waste facility. "The Covanta facility takes in between 3 and 5,000 tons a day of municipal solid waste after recycling and we process on average, 3,000 to 3,400 tons a day of municipal waste," said Glenn.
Unlike a landfill, the plant turns waste into electricity and cuts down on the emission of harmful gases. "We generate about 85 megawatts worth of power on a net bases enough energy for about 90,000 homes in the area," said Glenn.
McAuliffe wants to expand the alternative-energy resource throughout Virginia. "An opportunity like this to come see a facility that is a win, win win, for the environment, for the local communities, to get more open space, to get more trucks off the road and the bottom line is create more energy," said McAuliffe.
Just two months into his campaign, Virginia's energy policy continues to be a priority for McAuliffe. "The first thing I would like to get done is a mandatory renewable energy standard here in Virginia," the candidate said.
So far, only 28 states have the energy-from-waste program. McAuliffe says the commonwealth is well positioned to be a leader in renewable energy technology.
"We have the oceans. We have mountains. We can build a wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach, the size of Virginia Beach. We can light up 200,000 homes," McAuliffe said. He says with new projects, new jobs are likely to follow.
Covanta's vice president says energy-from-waste systems are reliable. Unlike other renewable resource technology, Covanta operates around the clock.
McAuliffe hopes to have a waste-to-energy facility at every landfill in Virginia within the next decade.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fairfax, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
New Radio Ad in Richmond and Hampton Roads
Emphasizing his work to promote the inclusion of every Virginia community in the electoral process, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today released a new radio advertisement. Entitled “Leadership,” the 60-second spot highlights his continued commitment to fighting for Virginians.
If you’re having trouble using the player, you can click here to download the ad.
Tags: 2009, hampton roads, mcauliffe, richmond, terry mcauliffe, virginia governor
St. Paddy's Day in Fairfax: Endorsements and Straw Polls
March 18th, 2009 Virginia Tomorrow Bob HolsworthIn the morning, it was Brian Moran.
Picking up more local endorsements, obtaining support from the majority of Democrats who sit on the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax School Board. It’s a list that grows every day, including some of the most prominent names in NOVA, Hampton Roads and Richmond.
But the nighttime was the right time for Terry McAuliffe.
He easily won the straw poll at Gerry Connolly’s annual St. Paddy’s Day bash, beating Moran almost 2-1 with 58% to 30% and Deeds trailing both at 12%.
Can we make anything of this?
It seems to me that yesterday reflected the strengths and perhaps the challenges that face both the Moran and the McAuliffe campaigns.
Moran has done a fine job over the past two months enlisting the official support of local Democratic officials in a number of the major metropolitan areas that will produce the majority of voters in the June primary. And Creigh Deeds for his part has also picked up some excellent local endorsements, including a few in Fairfax.
But endorsements only take you so far.
Given the likely financial disparity he’ll face against McAuliffe, Moran willl need far more than names on letterhead. The local officials who support Moran will have to work for him with a capital W. They’ll have to contact the voters that supported them, convince them that the choice is important and mobilize them in June to get to the polls.
Moran was endorsed yesterday by eight members of the House of Delegates and a total of eight members of the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. If each of the Moran Sixteen had brought just thirty people to the straw poll, he would have won.
McAuliffe’s performance at the straw poll illustrated the organizational skill of his campaign. They have resources and know how to use them, in this instance arranging for donors to pay for 400 tickets for his supporters.
McAuliffe and his campaign exult and excel in the “theatre of politics,” more so than any Democrat since Doug Wilder.
But will McAuliffe’s skill at event organizing translate into mobilizing grass-roots voters in the June primary?
Put it this way.
In order to win the straw poll, McAuliffe had to bring out particpants who might not usually attend Connolly’s bash.
In order to win the primary, McAuliffe may have to bring out participants who may not usually vote in a low-turnout election dominated by party insiders and activists.
I have no doubt that Mike Henry, who helped Tim Kaine develop his successful strategy of mobilizing “federal” Democrats in a gubernatorial campaign, is scouring the list of presidential primary voters and thinking of ways to re-engage them this spring around McAuliffe.
And I heard yesterday from the McAuliffe camp that it will open up to 8 local offices around the state.
In the straw poll last night, McAuliffe overcame a significant disadvantage in support from local officials to win the majority of attendees.
The question, I think, is whether he can repeat the feat in a statewide primary.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fairfax, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe Wins Fairfax Straw Poll
March 17th, 2009 Washington Post Amy GardnerFormer DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe overwhelmingly won an informal straw poll in Fairfax County tonight against his two Democratic rivals for governor, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds.
At a jam-packed St. Patrick's Day party hosted by U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), McAuliffe earned 58 percent of votes, Moran took 30 percent and Deeds earned 12 percent. Connolly told the crowd of about 1,400 that a total of 934 ballots were cast.
If nothing else, the vote sprinkled a healthy pinch of fish food into Virginia's political aquarium. McAuliffe outshined his rivals in both organization and spirit at the event, arranging for donors to purchase 400 tickets for his guests, staffing the party with 60 paid campaign workers and prompting the loudest cheers when he spoke to the crowd.
Guests supporting the other candidates grumbled that McAuliffe's campaign had bought the straw poll; they also noted the number of Maryland and District license plates in the banquet hall's overflowing parking lot.
McAuliffe spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith countered that campaign records could document that more than 95 percent of those invited by McAuliffe were residents of Northern Virginia. She also noted that some campaign staffers have out-of-state plates but didn't vote in the straw poll.
"We're thrilled with the turnout that we saw from our grassroots volunteers," Smith said. "It's going to be critical in November that we have a strong grassroots organization."
Connolly said the financial benefit to his campaign coffers would be marginal given the low ticket price ($40) and high cost of the party. He also said that all three candidates worked hard to draw out supporters, and that McAuliffe won not merely because of money but also organization.
Connolly noted that straw poll results at his annual St. Patrick's Day event have predicted several high profile primary contests in recent years, including U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's defeat of Harris Miller in 2006 and Leslie Byrne's victory over Chap Petersen in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2005.
"The purpose of this is to drive members of the Democratic family together and to generate early interest in the primary," Connolly said. "Clearly we did that."
Connolly's poll also asked guests to vote for one of four candidates for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, and the results were as follows: 48 percent for Jody Wagner, 28 percent for Michael Signer, 12 percent for Pat Edmonson and 12 percent for Jon Bowerbank.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fairfax, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Democratic Leaders Across Virginia Continue to Line Up Behind Terry McAuliffe for Governor
Today, Terry McAuliffe's Campaign for Governor released the names of additional Virginia Democratic leaders who have endorsed his candidacy. Following the announcement of McAuliffe's "Business Plan for Virginia," these leaders cited McAuliffe's decades of creating jobs and turning businesses around and emphasized that he had the best experience and boldest ideas to get Virginia's economy back on track.
"To address the economic challenges facing Virginia, Democrats in the House of Delegates will need a strong and experienced leader in the Governor's office," Democratic House Caucus Chair Ken Plum said. "Terry has the business and executive experience to carry on the Warner-Kaine tradition of leadership and create jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth. I know that he will be a strong partner with legislative Democrats in enacting the bold changes we need to fix our transportation system, improve public education, and get our economy back on track."
"This election is critical for the future of Virginia," Delegate Algie Howell said. "We need someone in the Governor's office who can work with people from every community across the Commonwealth. Terry has a track record of bringing people together to get things done, and that's what we need."
"Terry comes to this race with a unique set of skills that will help him to break the deadlock in Richmond," Delegate Frank Hall said. "He will be able to work with the legislature to achieve real results."
"There is no bigger issue facing Virginia right now than the economy," Norfolk City Councilman W. Randy Wright said. "Terry is the only candidate with the experience to create jobs and get Virginia's economy back on track. His leadership on keeping all of the carriers in Norfolk, which will save thousands of jobs in our area, and on making Virginia a national leader in renewable energy, is exactly what we need from our next Governor."
A full list of the leaders endorsing today follows:
Ken Plum - Delegate and House Caucus Chair, 36th District
Frank Hall - Delegate, 69th District
Algie Howell - Delegate, 90th District
Anthony Burfoot - Vice Mayor, Norfolk City
Hap Connors - Chairman, Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Andrea McGimsey - Loudon County Board of Supervisors
Randy Williams - Commissioner of Revenue, Russell County
Reginald Harrison - Surry County Board of Supervisors
Cliff Hayes - Chesapeake City Council
W. Randy Wright - Norfolk City Council
Charles B Whitehurst - Portsmouth City Council
Charles Parr - Suffolk City Council
Tina Vick - Newport News City Council>br>
Court Rosen - Roanoke City Council
Peter Farrell - Manassas Park City Council
Effie Ashe - Former Chair, Newport News School Board
Everette "Teddy" Hicks - Newport News School Board
Fred Hudson - Chair, 5th Congressional District Democratic Party
Steven Banner - Chair, Russell County Democratic Party
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, endorsements, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Weekly Blog Roundup 3/13/09
This week in the blogosphere, Terry received some glowing endorsements from bloggers and a former US Representative. Terry posted his own thoughts on his new comprehensive, long-term plan for Virginia’s energy future. And bloggers are warming to Terry’s message about jobs and the economy and his grassroots campaign.
The three co-founders of the “Draft Jim Webb” movement announced their endorsement of Terry on the blog Blue Virginia. Josh Chernila, Lee Diamond, and Lowell Feld each provide their reasons for supporting Terry, coming to a consensus that he is the best candidate to get things done for Virginia.
I've seen a man focused relentlessly on the economy and "jobsjobsjobs," but also with an understanding that you can't have a strong economy without the high quality of life that attracts individuals and businesses to Virginia. That means ensuring that Virginia continues to be the "best managed state in the nation." It means investing in education and emerging industries like "clean tech." It means maintaining (and improving) the level of infrastructure and services in our Commonwealth. And it means bringing people together to achieve results for all of us, not just for the rich and powerful. I have confidence that Terry McAuliffe is the best person to accomplish all of those things.
Terry wrote a post about his new Business Plan for Virginia at several blogs, including DailyKos. On Wednesday he unveiled his plan to grow our economy by investing in renewable energy in Virginia, incorporating ideas from people like you throughout the Commonwealth. Readers appreciated his posting on blogs and joining in the conversation.
“I give him full credit for at least coming in and having a dialogue; especially on energy policy, which isn't discussed cogently enough, IMO.”
At VBDems, Dan Sullivan wrote about Terry’s visit to Old Dominion University labs where he spoke about his commitment to building a green economy. He commented on Terry’s dedication to keeping cutting-edge technology right here in Virginia.
That's the kind of thing McAuliffe says we have to do. We've got to shake it up or else we are all going to be sitting here three years from today and our taxes will have been raised and our budget cut, and nothing will have happened. "I'm not into nothing happening. I want action, I want changes, I'm excited and I think we can do it."
Lowell at Blue Virginia reported on Terry’s endorsement by former US Representative Owen Pickett.
Pickett represented the Hampton Roads area in Congress from 1987 to 2001, remains highly respected, and should help Terry McAuliffe in that crucial "swing" region of the Commonwealth. Congratulations to Terry McAuliffe on gaining Owen Pickett's endorsement.
In a post at BlueCommonwealth, Dan Sullivan wrote about Dorothy McAuliffe, who spoke to supporters in Virginia Beach. Sullivan noted the high level of energy of the McAuliffe campaign.
And there is something else that is unusual for those of us who have struggled through the lean years of Democratic politics at the Beach. That positive attitude is part of this campaign’s culture. Last night it was evident as some 85 volunteers turned out at the office to meet and greet the team. This is primarily to observe this: that Terry’s spirit and optimism are part and parcel of the culture of this campaign. His hand is evident in the types of people he has attracted and selected to organize and manage this effort…He might possess the art required to recognize and achieve the possible along with the power of personality and persuasion to make it happen.
Alankrishnan wrote a post at BlueCommonwealth on why he believes Terry is the only candidate who has the right kind experience to grow Virginia’s economy.
Over the years, Terry has demonstrated his out of the box thinking and achieved more than most people in the United States…Terry is the only candidate with national and international reach so essential today for Virginia businesses to export their products and services to other parts of the United States and the world at large. Terry is the only candidate with the reach to invite and attract businesses around the country and the world to consider Virginia as a destination for new investments and expansion in the United States.
Tags: 2009, bloggers, blog roundup, blogs, business plan, economy, endorsements, mcauliffe, pickett, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
FOX 5 Interview with Terry McAuliffe
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, fox 5, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
A Comprehensive, Long-Term Plan for Virginia's Energy Future
I've spent a lot of time traveling the Commonwealth, listening to Virginians tell me what's on their minds. And one thing I’ve noticed is that the people who are dealing with challenges day to day often have the best ideas about how to overcome them. Too often we see the same old policies come from the top-down. But not all good ideas come out of Richmond. They come from all corners of the Commonwealth.
That’s why I’ve spent the past several weeks asking you – online, and at economic roundtables all over Virginia – what would you do if you were governor?
Today. I’m unveiling the first chapter of my Business Plan to get Virginia’s economy moving, and I’ve incorporated a lot of great ideas that I heard from you.
I’m running for governor because I believe we need to think bigger. Instead of just focusing on how to get through the next month, the next year, or the next election, we need to think more imaginatively about how to make our Commonwealth run better. And instead of compartmentalizing our thinking – developing separate plans for “jobs,” “schools,” “health” or “the environment” – we need a coherent and comprehensive business plan for the Commonwealth that approaches all these issues as inter-related.
That’s what my plan does. Even though I’m releasing it one chapter at a time, my Business Plan was developed as a whole, and it recognizes that these issues and strategies all must work together to add value and create jobs in our state.
I’m starting with energy because the current trajectory for our state and our planet is clearly unsustainable. One of the biggest challenges we face today is how to meet a growing demand for energy in a way that helps reverse the effects of global warming. And that means that some of the most promising areas for growing our economy are in the renewable energy field.
I’m not going to walk through every idea in the plan today – I encourage you all to read it for yourselves. But I’d like to highlight a few things.
In order to bring green jobs here, we first need to create the most favorable business climate in the nation to encourage clean energy and clean tech businesses to start, expand, relocate and flourish right here in Virginia.
One of the first steps is to create a better market for renewable energy. As Governor, I will introduce legislation to increase our state’s standard for retail sellers of electricity to provide a portion of their electricity from renewable sources – I will make the standard 25 percent by 2025, and I will make it mandatory. It creates renewable energy jobs, it's good for our environment, and it helps the energy companies make money in the end.
I’ve invested in alternative energy companies myself, and I know that with agriculture and forestry as our leading industries, we have tremendous potential to grow biofuels and create new markets for our farmers. When I'm governor, I'm going to partner with the federal government, the private sector, and our colleges and universities to help make that happen. Green jobs are the jobs of the future, and I'm going to work every single day to make Virginia a leader in creating them.
One of the ways we can do that is by issuing tax credits and other incentives to encourage farmers to invest in systems that will convert chicken waste into energy. With Virginia chickens producing an estimated 500,000 tons of waste every year, excess nutrients end up in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. With the right technology, we can use that waste to generate enough energy to power 40,000 homes in Virginia. To do anything less would be a waste of good waste.
We also need to work to develop other forms of renewable energy in Virginia, like wind and solar. As Governor, I will seek to site, develop, and build one or more large wind projects offshore. In siting these developments, we will have some challenges to address, such as ensuring that we don’t interfere with major shipping corridors or areas important to the U.S. Navy. But we need to maximize our state’s obvious advantages and strengths. Our coastal areas rank among the best locations for wind development on the entire east coast because of the area’s strong, sustained winds, relatively shallow waters, and low probability of major hurricanes. By some estimates, anywhere from 20 percent to all of Virginia’s electricity demand could be met by off-shore wind projects because of the prevalence of Class 5 or greater winds that are found in waters less than 30 meters deep. In addition, more than 30 percent of the value of turbine components – from the towers and rotor hubs to the transformers –could be readily sourced in Virginia with existing manufacturing capability. As Governor, I will work to establish a wind turbine assembly facility and take advantage of our port to transport components up and down the East Coast.
One of the ideas I’ve included to increase the availability of solar power was submitted through our website by Jennifer Fier of Burke. She suggested we:
Create an incentive plan for people to make sustainable development improvement in their communities. Give tax breaks or feed-in tariffs for people who install solar panels or develop wind energy and plug them in to their community grids. A lot of homeowners want to invest in renewable energy, but can't afford to do so or are holding out until there is an incentive to do so. Offer this incentive. Encourage communities to invest together- buy the products in bulk and split the costs... A necessary step will be to train and hire people to install these new technologies, which could create jobs.
Jennifer’s idea is an excellent one, and my business plan proposes allowing homeowners to sell electricity back to their power company. This feed-in tariff program will require utilities to purchase solar energy from homeowners, creating an income source for those Virginians who install solar panels on their homes. This program will create jobs, increase solar power generation, and save money for Virginia’s families.
In addition to ensuring that more of the energy we use comes from renewable sources, we also need to reduce the demand for energy by increasing efficiency. It’s the cheapest and fastest way to cut energy demand and reduce power plant-related emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.
Also, by cutting the growth in energy consumption, utilities will not have to invest millions, perhaps even billions, of dollars in new power plants and transmission lines – costs that ultimately are passed on to ratepayers for decades.
I will work with the Legislature and the State Corporation Commission to set a statewide policy requiring utilities to invest in cost-effective energy efficiency first before proposing and pursuing new generation, a policy used by leading states like California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
State government has another important role to play in this process, by setting an example for businesses to follow, and investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures directly.
The Commonwealth builds, operates, and manages a large portfolio of real estate. And just like Governor Kaine has, I will direct state agencies to examine their facilities and identify ways to invest more in efficiency and renewable energy.
But government can’t solve our problems alone. We all have to pitch in.
Thousands of Virginians want to do more to reduce their own carbon footprints and to do their part to put Virginia and America on a path towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. To help homeowners who want to invest in renewable energy but cannot afford to do so, I will offer tax and other incentives to reward communities that bring individuals together and aggregate residential buying power.
I also want to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient. Using existing technologies, older homes can be retrofitted with energy-efficient insulation, windows, and other devices that can significantly cut energy consumption and save money. In most instances, these cost savings will pay for the cost of the investment in five to seven years.
Finally, having workers trained for jobs in the field of alternative and renewable energy is central to our ability to transform our energy consumption and improve our economic outlook. To make Virginia center of these future growth industries – as well as their spin-off jobs in manufacturing and distribution – we must ensure that Virginia has the best-trained workforce in the country for these industries and the skills they demand. Among other steps, I will challenge our Community College system to create new courses that prepare workers for jobs in renewable energy, alternative fuels, and other next generation technologies.
These ideas are just part of what you’ll find in the full first chapter of my business plan for Virginia. And they are just the beginning of what I believe we can accomplish if we work together. I look forward to getting started on making some of these big ideas a reality.
Tags: 2009, announcement, business plan, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia governor
McAuliffe Unveils Business Plan for Virginia, Highlights Need for Comprehensive Energy Plan to Turn Economy Around
After holding eight economic roundtables with business and community leaders across Virginia, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today unveiled the first portion of his "Business Plan for Virginia", which outlines his comprehensive and long-term plan for Virginia's energy future. The plan includes ideas gathered from people around the Commonwealth, which McAuliffe heard during the roundtables and from people writing in to his website. McAuliffe's plan will build a green economy in Virginia by making the commonwealth a destination for clean energy businesses and researchers, investing in efficiency and in clean, renewable sources of energy, and committing resources to training Virginia's workforce for the clean tech economy.
"My plan will make Virginia a national leader in renewable energy and create thousands of green jobs," McAuliffe said. "I'm taking the same approach to figuring out how to get our economy going again that I've taken with businesses I've started or turned around - I'm starting with a business plan for Virginia. Today, I'm unveiling the first chapter of my plan, which focuses on thinking differently about energy because one of the biggest challenges we face is how to meet a growing demand for energy in a way that is sustainable and environmentally responsible. And that means that some of the most promising areas for growing our economy are in the renewable energy field."
McAuliffe's plan will create a better market for renewable energy and prove to companies that Virginia is serious about this industry, by setting a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard of 25% by 2025. He also pledged to create incentives for collective sustainable development improvement in communities and improved energy related tax credits to encourage businesses to purchase renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels.
The plan also establishes a Digestor Gas-to-Electricity Rebate, offering a $500/kW capacity incentive for new digestor gas systems that produce energy that will be used on-site. These systems can be used to convert animal waste into energy. McAuliffe pledged to work with Virginia farmers, leading renewable energy companies, and other interested energy, environmental, and agricultural stakeholders to explore ways to develop waste-to-energy projects throughout the Commonwealth, consistent with the highest environmental standards.
McAuliffe also pledged to site, develop, and build at least one large wind project offshore. At least 20% of the Commonwealth's energy needs could be met by harboring winds along Virginia's coastal areas, which are ideal for wind development because of their long-sustained winds, relatively shallow waters, and low probability of hurricanes. In addition, McAuliffe plans to use VIrginia's existing manufacturing capability to build wind turbine components and take advantage of our port to transport components up and down the East Coast.
"Here in Virginia we already have the resources to develop a thriving renewable energy sector, whether it's the wind of our coast or the hundreds of thousands of tons of agricultural waste we produce every year," McAuliffe said. "Virginia's next governor must look to creative solutions to increase our renewable energy production, provide incentives to develop new technologies, and encourage businesses and families to adopt clean and efficient energy sources."
In addition to developing these new energy sources, McAuliffe emphasized that the most cost-efficient method to increase energy independence would be improving Virginia's energy efficiency. By requiring utilities to invest in cost-effective energy efficiency first before pursuing new energy generation, establishing a $100 mllion Energy Independence Revolving Loan Fund to retrofit homes with more energy efficient equipment, and taking steps to reduce state government's carbon footprint, McAuliffe said that we could begin to reduce the amount of energy used in our homes and buildings and lower energy costs for Virginia families.
"One of the most overlooked ways to address the increasing demand for energy while also creating good jobs is to pursue efficiency measures," McAuliffe said. "By cutting the growth in energy consumption, utilities will not have to invest millions of dollars in new power plants and transmission lines - costs that ultimately are passed on to consumers for decades."
McAuliffe also discussed the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce that would be ready to work in the new, clean energy industries.
"Making sure our workers are trained for jobs in alternative and renewable energy jobs is key to our ability to transform our energy consumption and improve our economic outlook," McAuliffe said. "To make Virginia the center of these future growth industries, we must ensure that Virginia has the best-trained workforce in the country for these industries and the skills they demand."
Tags: 2009, business plan, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov
Weekly Blog Roundup 3/9/09
Welcome to the second installment of the McAuliffe for Governor weekly blog roundup. This past week, bloggers talked about the fight against offshore oil drilling in Virginia, a blogger dinner held at our campaign headquarters, and Terry’s interesting encounters along the campaign trail.
Last week, Terry hosted a handful of local and national bloggers at our campaign headquarters to talk about running a grassroots campaign. Chris Guy at Fred2Blue took away some positive observations from the meeting.
One person in attendance pointed out that a lot of candidates for office make a big deal about courting the netroots during the campaign, but once they get elected your emails don’t get returned the way they used to. Terry promised that, if elected Governor, he’ll try and make these get-togethers a regular occurrence. Considering how much he likes talking to people, I tend to believe him… so far McAuliffe has the best campaign, hands down.
At Article XI, Lowell posted a video from the blogger meeting, which features Terry talking about energy and the environment.
At Left of the Hill, Bryan wrote about the Democratic candidates disagreeing with Bob McDonnell’s push for oil drilling off Virginia's coast.
He tried to act as though he was the one trying to spur job creation, but the Democratic candidates saw right through the move as a political stunt… Terry McAuliffe also recognized that McDonnell was trying to score some political points with the Sarah Palin wing of the Republican Party and claimed that "we must focus more on bipartisanship and less on ideology."
On DailyKos, Arjun Jaikumar aka brownsox wrote about Terry’s visit to Rockingham County to talk to farmers and scientists about new sources of renewable energy. Arjun also noted the ‘hazards’ that come with getting hassled by people on the campaign trail.
McAuliffe ended up taking a picture with Myron and his family…with the anti-Terry sign proudly featured, at McAuliffe's own insistence. He even gave him a signed copy of his book… It's doubtful that this episode swayed any primary voters, but it's nice to see candidates - and activists - who don't take themselves too seriously and can have a laugh with the other guys on occasion.
Tags: 2009, blog roundup, bob mcdonnell, brownsox, chris guy, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, left of the hill, lowell, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Rush Limbaugh
At a time when we desperately need to come together as a nation, Rush Limbaugh's gone out of his way to sabotage our President - announcing publicly that he wants Barack Obama to fail.
This kind of rhetoric does nothing but pollute our political process. That's why after Rush reiterated his remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend, I called on Bob McDonnell to condemn them. But so far, Bob's refused to say anything that might offend the GOP's ringleader.
Now we need your help to apply some public pressure in order to make it happen.
Bob ought to use the leverage at his disposal and help the raise the level of debate. He seems to think he's got some pull with national Republicans. Just last week he bragged to the Washington Post that, "'Everybody who cares about the Republican Party nationally or everybody who wants to run for president in 2012 will be in Virginia' this year."
I know that we can turn things around and create the jobs of the future. But doing so will require making a clean break with this kind of hateful rhetoric.
When Rush started wishing that our President would fail, he stopped participating in an open debate about the right course of action. Instead, he was feeding a political culture that isn't about results-it's about who wins and who loses.
But this isn't the Super Bowl we're talking about. It's our economy. It's our families. It's our country. It's our future.
Even as Bob McDonnell's staked out positions that put ideology above the best interests of the Commonwealth, he's repeatedly talked about the need to work together constructively to find solutions. If those sentiments are anything but hot air, then now is the time to prove it.
Click here to tell Bob McDonnell to condemn Rush Limbaugh's hateful remarks.
Tags: 2009, bob mcdonnell, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, rush limbaugh, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe Wraps Up Economic Roundtables, Prepares to Unveil Business Plan for Virginia
After weeks of listening to Virginians' ideas on how to get our economy back on track, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe yesterday held his final roundtable in Roanoke. The event was the final in a series of eight roundtables held across the Commonwealth on topics ranging from job creation and support for small businesses to education and workforce training. Ideas for converting agricultural waste to energy, improving infrastructure, and encouraging university research were also discussed throughout the course of the roundtable series.
"When I started this campaign, I said that the best ideas don't always come from Richmond," said McAuliffe. "These roundtables have shown that Virginians are full of good ideas and I plan on bringing these good ideas with me to the governor's office. Together, we're going to get our economy back on track."
Throughout the roundtables, no issue generated more discussion than McAuliffe's call for job creation ideas. University of Virginia Professor Jim Durand outlined how the next Governor could create jobs by helping to partner university researchers with private investors, citing his involvement with RideForward, a project that converts gas-powered vehicles into electric cars. With the governor's help, projects like RideForward could develop into profitable businesses that will help expand Virginia's economy and create jobs.
In Roanoke, Anthony Smith, a developer with LRE Development Corporation, also highlighted the need for job creation, emphasizing that Virginia already had the resources to do so. Smith highlighted the busy trucking corridors in Southwest Virginia and said that he would like "his resources to be married to a Governor's plan that has a strong focus on using what we already have to create jobs."
Attendees also focused on the need to improve educational opportunities, which will aid Virginia's next generation of workers. In Norfolk, Brenda Andrews suggested setting up a "teacher mentor corps" in which retired teachers could be called upon to mentor young teachers, helping to enhance the quality of the classroom.
Throughout the economic roundtable series, McAuliffe received innovative ideas from participants at every event and from engaged Virginians online. In the coming weeks, McAuliffe will unveil a series of policy initiatives which will incorporate many of the ideas from Virginians like Jim, Anthony, and Brenda that he has heard during his conversations across Virginia.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economic roundtable, economy, energy, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, university of virginia, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe meets with Valley and City business and civic reps at Roanoke’s Higher Ed Center this morning
March 4th, 2009
Star City Harbinger
by Hank Bostwick
Primary candidate for the Democratic governor’s nomination Terry McAuliffe is visiting with members of the local business, labor and nonprofit communities this morning at Roanoke’s Higher Education Center.
McAuliffe seemed in his element discussing his plans for Virginia’s economic future and reminding onlookers and roundtable participants that he led the National Democratic Party out of debt after the Clinton years in Washington.
Concerned about the possibiility that the Commonwealth will lose precious green jobs and technological development to West Virginia, Terry “I love chicken waste” McAuliffe promised to make his point about the importance of clean and renewable energy if he “has to park that [chicken waste] machine” on the steps of the General Assembly.
Reiterating his promise to donate his salary as governor if elected, McAuliffe lamented the closing of local schools due to funding shortages and noted that “building schools without gymnasiums is a disgrace.”
McAuliffe finds the Dillon Rule (the law requiring the majority of decisions facing municipalities to be made in Richmond) problematic and an impediment to solving longstanding problems with local transportation and education budgets.
McAuliffe was joined by Beth Doughty of the Roanoke Regional Partnership; one member of the Star City Council; Patrick Kenny, a local lawyer; Joseph Hancock, grassroots organizer for the local Obama campaign last year; the director of the Workforce Development Program at VWCC; a representative from a local electrical union; Cal Johnson, executive director of Valley YMCA; a representative of Avis Construction; and John Swain, a local CPA who has returned to the Roanoke Valley to start what is sure to be a wonderful new program–among others.
According to Swain, his program–which is slated to launch soon–will provide free accounting services for local start-up businesses attempting to make a go at creating jobs in the Region. “We help them for the first one or two years of their business,” noted Swain.
City Council member Court Rosen spoke a bit about the issues involving school closures and consolidations, remarking that the decline in attendance at several City schools and shortfalls in the education budget necessitate these “painful, but necessary” actions.
YMCA director Johnson discussed his nonprofit concerns and argued that when “government acts as a catalyst” for regional redevelopment, public-private partnerships are most successful. Johnson got a hardy laugh from the crowd when he suggested that Virginia needed to do away with the county-city government distinction. McAuliffe joked, “Well, why don’t you start with an easy one?”
The representative from Avis Construction in Roanoke voiced his concerns regarding the ability of mid-sized contracting/construction firms to compete for project bids. Larger firms from out of state gobble up most public projects because they have the resources. Avis suggested revamping the bidding process to attract regional, mid-sized firms.
McAuliffe’s discussion continues until 10:45 this morning.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economic roundtable, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe, area business leaders meet
March 5th, 2009
Roanoke Times
Mason Adams
Nearly a dozen of the Roanoke Valley's business leaders met with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday to pitch ideas to fix the state's economy.
"We've got to think outside the box," McAuliffe said as he repeated one of his campaign's main themes. "We need some big ideas."
The meeting was his eighth state "roundtable" to collect ideas that will eventually become his economic platform, to be unveiled in the next two weeks. He's previously met with regional representatives in Norfolk, Martinsville, Harrisonburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Lebanon and Hampton.
McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who lives in Fairfax County, is running against former state Del. Brian Moran of Fairfax County and Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County for the Democratic nomination for governor in a June 9 primary. The winner will face Republican nominee Bob McDonnell, who recently stepped down from his elected post as state attorney general to devote his time to the governor's race.
Wednesday's visit to Roanoke was McAuliffe's fourth since he began to explore a possible run for governor late last year. The roundtable attendees ranged from roofers and a union electrician to civic leaders and politicians. Many of their thoughts dealt with statewide concerns, such as building up Virginia's transportation network and giving the governor more cash to lure major manufacturers.
But there were some ideas and opinions that stem from local circumstances, too:
Cindy Shelor, owner of John T. Morgan Roofing, asked about restrictions on a method of contracting known as "cooperative procurement," which allows one local government to piggyback on a contract signed by another local government. The city school system used the practice last year when it decided to piggyback on a Fairfax County roofing contract instead of pursuing a competitive bidding process.
City Councilman Court Rosen -- a local Democrat who has endorsed McAuliffe for governor -- said the state's rules make it more difficult for cities to expand and attract companies with the lure of open land.
The group also talked about passenger rail service. McAuliffe directed most of his comments toward high-speed rail for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads. He said that a state agency's estimation of 2015 as a target date to deliver Amtrak service to Roanoke "sounds too far away" and could potentially be fast-tracked.
McAuliffe said he would use the governor's office as a hammer, relentlessly pounding on the General Assembly for prompt passage of changes in economic development and land-use policies.
"I know it's not the Virginia way, and I apologize," McAuliffe said. "It's what we've got to do."
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economic roundtable, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe Makes Campaign Stop in Lebanon
March 4th, 2009
Bristol Herald Courier
Debra McCown
LEBANON, Va. – To bring more jobs here, Virginia needs to be more competitive with other states to attract industry, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe told Russell County leaders during a visit Tuesday.
“Those should’ve been our jobs,” McAuliffe said of recently announced energy projects that will be located in Mississippi and Tennessee. “We need to be aggressive about bringing business in.”
A Democrat and Northern Virginia businessman, McAuliffe said, in what he called an economic roundtable, that he’s not satisfied with the prospect of budget cuts or tax increases. His solution to the state’s recent economic troubles is simple, he said: Grow the economy.
McAuliffe is one of four candidates – three Democrats and one Republican – seeking to be elected governor this year.
Participants in Tuesday’s meeting addressed the region’s heavy-hitting issues: prescription drug abuse, health care, job creation, transportation and coal.
“I want Virginia to have the cleanest coal in the country,” McAuliffe said when asked by Russell County Supervisor Ernest Kennedy about his view of the fuel that provides half of the nation’s electricity.
“That ought to be our goal … a lot of livelihoods are depending on it, and I’m never going to throw someone out of a paying job … you don’t play politics with people’s lives,” McAuliffe said.
Russell County Administrator Jim Gillespie said most localities in the region are concerned about transportation, adding that residents show up at every Board of Supervisors meeting wanting to know when their roads will be paved.
McAuliffe said the commonwealth should develop passenger and freight rail systems to get cars off the road and provide opportunities for job creation in transportation-related industries, such as the efficient movement of freight inland from the Virginia coast.
Sheriff Steve Dye said the state needs a central database to track prescription medication dispensed to individuals to help law enforcement agencies control the problem of prescription drug abuse, particularly here in a region with a high rate of overdose deaths.
“Sometimes I think I’m a social worker with a badge and a gun,” Dye said.
Shannon Blevins, economic development director for UVA-Wise, said the state should help to bring broadband infrastructure to rural homes and communities to encourage entrepreneurship opportunities.
Jerry Stallard, international auditor-teller for the United Mine Workers, said health-care quality and access in the region need to be improved.
Steve Banner, chairman of the Russell County Democratic Party, said farmers are struggling and need help developing new technologies in their industry, which he said is big in Virginia but often overlooked.
McAuliffe took the opportunity to talk about one of his signature issues: chicken waste.
He said all the chicken manure the state produces could generate 40 megawatts of power, along with useful by-products. Bureaucracy often is the only thing standing in the way of developing such home-grown technology, he said – and he wants to change that.
“We’ve had this technology for a year and a half. Now, West Virginia has leapfrogged ahead of us because they wouldn’t give this guy a permit,” McAuliffe said of a man working on creative ways to use the waste. “That’s the kind of stuff that drives me nuts.”
Tags: 2009, chicken waste, economic growth, economic roundtable, economy, governor, jobs, lebanon, macker, mcauliffe, southwest virginia, t-mac, technology, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Va. Needs New Ag Technology
Va. Needs New Ag Technology
By Terry McAuliffe, Harrisonburg Daily News Record
March 4, 2009
LIKE MOST FARMERS here in the Valley, Buff Showalter pays close attention to fertilizer prices and heating bills, the extra costs that can make or break a harvest. He uses his own chicken litter as a primary fertilizer. But last year Buff had to spend about $5,000 on commercial fertilizer for his corn and hay crops. He also spent $12,000 on gasoline to heat his broiler house.
That's part of the reason why he and his business partner, Oren Heatwole, a former farmer himself, jumped at the opportunity to test a new machine that converts chicken litter into two things that Buff could really use: a high-quality fertilizer and a high-energy fuel.
The technology, developed in the research laboratories of Virginia Tech in collaboration with public and private partners, is called pyrolysis. A pyrolysis unit heats chicken litter and converts it into three products: a high-density char, suitable for use as a fertilizer; a biofuel, which can be used as a heating oil; and a propane-like gas that doubles as a power source for the machine, making it entirely self-sustaining.
Oren's machine has been attracting a lot of attention from local farmers and business interests alike, and for good reason: once the technology is commercialized, 10 machines scattered across the Valley processing 10 tons of chicken litter per day would produce enough energy to power 10,000 homes (or hen houses). The pyrolysis fertilizer is also profitable. With nitrogen prices high, Buff can sell unprocessed chicken litter for about 10 dollars per ton, but he expects to earn much more for the new fertilizer. That's because the pyrolysis fertilizer has the dual advantage of being both slow release, which allows it to deliver nutrients to the soil more effectively, and high-density, which cuts down on transportation costs.
Environmental groups are quick to point out the benefits to local waterways of converting chicken waste to fertilizer and fuel. With Valley chickens producing an estimated 500,000 tons of waste every year, excess nutrients end up in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The research going on at Virginia Tech is actually being funded in part by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The pyrolysis fertilizer also contains a more favorable balance of nitrogen and phosphorous and keeps more of the nutrients in the soil, where they belong. It's a win for the farmers, and a win for environmentalists.
Buff, Oren, and the partners involved in pyrolysis research at Virginia Tech are great examples of the kind of outside-the-box thinking that will help Virginia and the Valley continue to move forward in these tough economic times. The Commonwealth is blessed with great geographic diversity, and we need to make sure that we continue to leverage our regional strengths when it comes to biofuels, whether it's chicken waste in the Valley, switchgrass and poplar in the Southwest and Southside, or algae in Hampton Roads.
We should also strengthen the partnerships between our research universities and private industry. By improving the laboratory-to-commercialization pipeline, Virginia can benefit from the licensing of new technologies and the revenue generated from state-owned patents.
For instance, the Department of Environmental Quality could institute a more flexible permitting system, one containing reasonable allowances for pilot-scale projects that meet certain benchmarks but fall short of the levels expected of commercial-scale technologies.
New technologies, especially in the clean energy field, represent our best bet for creating the high-paying 21st century jobs that will help get our economy back on track. By encouraging innovation, we can grow our economy and do right by the environment. With the right leadership and bold thinking, Virginia can lead the way.
Mr. McAuliffe is a Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia.
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Tags: 2009, agriculture, clean energy, commonwealth, economic growth, economy, governor, harrisonburg, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, technology, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, valley, virginia
Terry McAuliffe Releases Letter Calling on Bob McDonnell to Condemn Rush Limbaugh's Remarks
Today, Terry McAuliffe sent the following letter to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, calling on him to condemn Rush Limbaugh's remarks regarding the Obama administration:
Dear Bob,
I know that you and I disagree on many issues, but I'm hoping that we can agree on this: hoping for failure isn't the right way to get our economy back on track.
That's why I'm asking you to join me in condemning the remarks Rush Limbaugh made wishing for the President to fail.
I'm sure that you are hearing the same things from Virginians that I am - they are nervous about their future; they're struggling to hold onto their homes and their jobs; they want us to stay focused on getting results for them.
There are a lot of things that all of us can do to help - we can encourage cooperation and help our neighbors. We can support the work that the President and Congress are doing to get our economy back on track. We can also speak our minds when we disagree. In a democracy, difference of opinion is what fuels our best ideas. We don't come up with the right answer if folks don't stand up and say what they believe in.
I know Rush doesn't agree with the approach President Obama has taken to helping get our economy back on its feet. And no one says he has to agree - but there is a point at which criticism is no longer constructive, and simply put, his comments have crossed that line.
Rush reinforced his comments about hoping that President Obama fails just this past weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference. When Rush started wishing that our President would fail, he stopped participating in an open debate about the right course of action. Instead, he was feeding a political culture that isn't about results - it is about who wins and who loses.
Rush said as much himself this weekend. But this isn't the Super Bowl we're talking about. It's our economy. It's our families. It's our country. It's our future.
When politicians and pundits focus on who is winning instead of succeeding, it's the American people who lose. As many times as you've disagreed with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, you know that you can disagree with someone without wishing for them to fail.
I hope you'll join me in calling for Rush to start taking an approach that reflects the best of what our system stands for.
Best,
Terry
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Tags: 2009, bob mcdonnell, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, rush limbaugh, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe asks Republican to condemn Limbaugh remarks
March 3rd, 2009
CNN Political Ticker
WASHINGTON (CNN) – As national Democrats eagerly point to Rush Limbaugh’s influence among Republicans, one Virginia Democrat is looking to make the radio host a flash point in this year’s governor’s race.
Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman now seeking his party's nomination for governor, sent a letter Tuesday to the de facto Republican nominee, former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, asking him to reject Limbaugh’s recent statement that he wants President Obama to fail.
“I know that you and I disagree on many issues, but I'm hoping that we can agree on this: hoping for failure isn't the right way to get our economy back on track,” McAuliffe wrote in the letter. “That's why I'm asking you to join me in condemning the remarks Rush Limbaugh made wishing for the President to fail.”
McAuliffe wrote that Virginians are concerned with getting the economy back on track and that Limbaugh’s comments are not constructive.
“I hope you'll join me in calling for Rush to start taking an approach that reflects the best of what our system stands for,” McAuliffe wrote.
McDonnell campaign spokesman Tucker Martin said McAuliffe "desperately wants our attention."
"And if he wins his competitive and tough primary in June he will get it," Martin said. "Until then, we wish him the best of luck.”
Current Virginia governor and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine highlighted Limbaugh’s influence in the GOP in multiple cable appearances Tuesday, calling the polarizing radio talker “the godfather” and “Wizard of Oz” of the Republican Party.
McAuliffe is competing against former House delegate Brian Moran and state senator Creigh Deeds in a three-way Democratic primary.
Tags: 2009, bob mcdonnell, commonwealth, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, rush limbaugh, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Statement from Terry McAuliffe Regarding the End of the Legislative Session
Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement regarding the end of the legislative session. McAuliffe cited the passage of several renewable energy bills, including legislation that would encourage energy efficiency, create economic incentives for biofuels, and promote the production of electric energy from waste [SB 1248; SB1186; HB2001; HB2576].
"This session, I was heartened to see Republicans and Democrats work together to pass several measures that will help Virginia move ahead on developing our renewable energy sector. Providing economic incentives for biofuels, encouraging increased energy efficiency, and promoting the conversion of solid waste to electricity will help develop this critical industry. While I believe that we need a mandatory renewable energy standard, these bills were a step in the right direction to make Virginia a national leader in renewable energy and create green jobs in the Commonwealth.
"Unfortunately, we saw once again that Republican leadership in the House of Delegates was often too willing to put ideology before bipartisan solutions, blocking measures to allow early voting and reduce the gerrymandering of political districts in Virginia. These measures would have made voting easier for eligible Virginians of all political backgrounds and encouraged more competitive elections to attract the best possible candidates for public office. It's time for us to put these partisan games aside and work together to get the Commonwealth back on track."
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Tags: 2009, bipartisan solutions, economic growth, economy, energy efficiency, governor, jobs, legislative session, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
TERRY MCAULIFFE TO CONTINUE ROUNDTABLE SERIES WITH EVENTS IN FAIRFAX, LEBANON, AND ROANOKE
Next week, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe will continue his economic roundtables series with events in Fairfax, Lebanon, and Roanoke where he will discuss infrastructure development, job creation, and the economic possibilities for Virginia.
Monday, March 2
8:45 am Terry McAuliffe Holds Economic Roundtable in Fairfax
George Mason University Fairfax Campus
Mason Hall, Meese Board Room
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tuesday, March 3
12:30 pm Terry McAuliffe Holds Economic Roundtable in Lebanon
Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center
Jefferson Room
141 Highland Drive
Lebanon, VA 24266
Wednesday, March 4
8:00 am Terry McAuliffe Holds Economic Roundtable in Roanoke
Roanoke Higher Education Center
108 North Jefferson Street
Suite 210A, Room 412
Roanoke, VA 24016
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economic possibilities, economic roundtable, economy, fairfax, governor, infrastructure development, job creation, jobs, lebanon, macker, mcauliffe, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Women offer McAuliffe views on the issues
February 27th, 2009
The Daily Press
Ashley Kelly
PHOEBUS — A group of 25 women sat tucked inside the Phoebus Coffee House chatting and sipping coffee on Thursday afternoon.
To an onlooker some seemed like old friends.
But this wasn't a social outing, girls' day out, or an organization meeting.
These women meant business.
Most were community leaders who came to voice their concerns about education, health care, and job creation with gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, during an economic round-table.
This was McAuliffe's sixth round-table discussion in the state.
"I would like to see education reform that meets the needs of our young people," said Flora D. Crittenden, a retired educator from Newport News.
Crittenden said simply teaching students to take a test is not working.
"We don't need charter schools or vouchers. We need to make our schools flexible," she said.
McAuliffe spoke about job creation, improving health care and education.
"I need help to get this done," he told the women. "You are the community leaders here; you know what's going on. You get to be governor for a day."
D. Yvonne Rivers, a social entrepreneur, said women should be educated to start their own businesses.
"They need to be trained to get better jobs," she said. "I'd like to see every woman in Virginia off welfare and able to go back in her neighborhood and bring other sisters out."
Other issues were affordable child care, health care and restoration of rights for former prisoners.
The bulk of the hourlong summit was controlled by the women. While they spoke, McAuliffe jotted their suggestions down in a notebook.
Previous round-table discussions throughout the state included attracting new jobs to Virginia, education and work force training and investing in renewable energy technologies as a key way to create more green jobs.
After the round-tables, McAuliffe is slated to release his policy initiatives.
McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will run against state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and former Del. Brian Moran for the Democratic nomination.
The winner of the June primary will face off with Attorney General Robert McDonnell, the GOP candidate for governor, in November.
Tags: 2009, daily press, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, newport news, norfolk, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, women for mcauliffe
McAuliffe Looks To General Election
February 26th, 2009
The Washington Post
Anita Kumar
In a fundraising letter sent yesterday, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe ignored his Democratic opponents and instead went after Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell.
"It seems like every time we get a chance to put aside partisanship and get things done, Bob McDonnell chooses ideology over what's best for the Commonwealth,'' McAuliffe said. "Maybe that's why I heard Republicans are going to throw the kitchen sink into Virginia to help his campaign. Sure enough, Bob's planning to bring in people like Sean Hannity, John McCain and Sarah Palin in order to fuel it."
McDonnell's spokesman Tucker Martin countered McAuliffe's accusations. "Bob McDonnell has a record of building bipartisan coalitions to help Virginia,'' he said. "Chairman McAuliffe is a career partisan who has a record of professional fundraising to help the national Democratic Party. This defines empty rhetoric."
McAuliffee talks about building "the single largest grassroots campaign apparatus Virginia's ever seen" and adding 300 new donors by the end of the month.
He criticized McDonnell for opposing in 2004 a tax increase to help offset a budget shortfall and this year's smoking ban compromise. "He opposed the smoking ban, putting ideology ahead of our children's health,'' McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe faces former delegate Brian Moran and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds in the June 9 primary. The winner will face McDonnell in the general election.
Tags: 2009, bob mcdonnell, commonwealth, economic growth, economy, general election, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia, washington post
Candidate of No
It seems like every time we get a chance to put aside partisanship and get things done, Bob McDonnell chooses ideology over what's best for the Commonwealth.
Maybe that's why I heard Republicans are going to throw the kitchen sink into Virginia to help his campaign. Sure enough, Bob's planning to bring in people like Sean Hannity, John McCain and Sarah Palin in order to fuel it.
That's fine. While they focus on the kitchen sink, I'm focusing on your kitchen table and the issues you talk about every single night as you sit around it - your job, your home, your roads, and your schools.
To win the nomination and fight back against the other side, I want to build the single largest grassroots campaign apparatus Virginia's ever seen. But I need your help to make it happen.
In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, working together has never been more important. In that spirit, Republican governors such as Florida's Charlie Christ and California's Arnold Schwarzenegger found common ground with President Obama on the economic stimulus package - recognizing the need to take bold action to turn things around.
But not Bob McDonnell. He applauded the politicians who tried to stop the bill. We've seen this movie before. . .
In 2004, facing the largest budget shortfall in Virginia history and cuts to vital state services, fiscally-responsible Republicans joined with Governor Mark Warner to pass a bipartisan tax reform package that saved our triple-A bond rating and restored integrity to the budgeting process.
But not Bob McDonnell. Not only did he vote against the tax reform package, but this past fall he threw his lot in with the guy who created the budget disaster in the first place -- Bob gave Jim Gilmore his enthusiastic endorsement.
Then, earlier this month, Republicans like House Speaker Bill Howell joined with Governor Tim Kaine to pass a smoking ban that will ensure our kids aren't exposed to second-hand smoke when they go out to eat.
But not Bob McDonnell. He opposed the smoking ban, putting ideology ahead of our children's health.
This campaign's going to be long, and it's going to be hard. But if we spend the next eight months building a real grassroots campaign, we can send a strong message that we don't want to turn our backs on the progress of the past seven years under Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. And maybe we can even elect a few more like-minded people to the House of Delegates to help us get it all done. But I can't do it alone.
Tags: 2009, bob mcdonnell, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, john mccain, macker, mcauliffe, mcdonnell, partisan politics, sarah palin, sean hannity, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe visits UVa on 14-city tour
February 25th, 2009
The Daily Progress
Brian McNeill
Terry McAuliffe stopped by the University of Virginia on Tuesday to listen to the Charlottesville region’s ideas for creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy.
McAuliffe, one of three Democrats running for governor, is on a 14-city roundtable discussion tour focused on the economy. Once it wraps up, McAuliffe will incorporate what he deems as the worthiest ideas into his economic growth platform.
“We’ll come out with a very detailed business plan for the future of Virginia,” said McAuliffe, a McLean resident and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “People want jobs and they feel like [government isn’t] moving fast enough.”
One of the roundtable’s participants was Jim Durand, a UVa professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering who is overseeing a project at the university to improve and promote the use of electric cars powered by alternative energy sources. The project, called RideForward, converts gas-powered vehicles into electric cars that have the ability to charge up from non-polluting, clean power.
Durand’s green engineering research, he said, could serve as the basis of a profitable business, possibly growing the economy and creating new jobs. Yet more needs to be done, he said, to help researchers find private investors and bring their technology to the marketplace.
“I’m not a businessperson,” Durand said.
Other states, Durand said, do a better job of setting up business incubators affiliated with higher education institutions that aim to commercialize research.
McAuliffe agreed that Virginia can do more to create new economic opportunities out of research conducted at the state’s universities. For example, he said, onerous regulation is causing headaches for a Virginia Tech professor who has created the technology to convert chicken waste into a viable energy source. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality, he said, has decided that the technology is an “incinerator,” thereby requiring extra levels of permission. The researcher, on the other hand, is apparently so fed up with the regulations, he is considering moving to West Virginia to further develop — and possibly commercialize — the technology, McAuliffe said.
“We ought to do a lot of changes with regard to the regulation of new technology,” he said.
Jay Willer, executive director of the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association, said Virginia needs to get serious about investing in its aging roads and water and sewer systems. Congested roads, he said, are making it increasingly difficult for businesses to ship goods back and forth. A lack of water and sewer hook-ups are preventing further development in many areas around the state, leading to a major hurdle to economic growth.
“A lot of what we see as an underlying problem is infrastructure throughout the state,” Willer said.
McAuliffe also agreed with Willer’s view. If elected governor, he said, he would work to have an “honest discussion” about transportation funding.
McAuliffe asked Willer how much business has dropped for the Charlottesville-area homebuilding industry. Willer replied: “Is there a number below zero?”
Piedmont Virginia Community College President Frank Friedman also pitched a few ideas.
He told McAuliffe that Virginia is trailing states such as North Carolina and South Carolina when it comes to workforce development. If Virginia wants its economy to grow, he said, the community college system must be given the authority and funding to coordinate the state’s workforce development efforts.
Friedman also said that Virginia could do more to encourage government buildings to be energy efficient. When considering the cost of constructing new buildings, he said, Virginia only weighs the design and construction price tag. Making a building energy efficient might add a bit to the building’s initial cost, but might save money over the lifespan of the building. As it is now, he said, Virginia does not consider the long-term energy cost savings into its calculation, leading to fewer energy-efficient government buildings.
“For us, as soon as the cost goes up at all [because of energy efficiency], it’s a done deal,” he said. “We can’t do it.”
McAuliffe will face two opponents in the June 9 Democratic primary for governor. One candidate is Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, a Democrat who represents much of the Charlottesville area, and the other is former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria. The winner of the Democratic nomination is likely to face GOP candidate Bob McDonnell, who recently stepped down as attorney general to run full-time for governor.
Tags: 2009, charlottesville, economic growth, economic roundtable, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, technology, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, university of virginia, university research, uva, va-gov, virginia
The joys of chicken waste
This weekend, Terry traveled to the Shenandoah Valley to hold an economic roundtable and look at some exciting research that could yield new sources of renewable energy in the near future.
He recorded a short video message and I wanted to share it with you.
Tags: 2009, agriculture, chicken waste, economic growth, economy, energy, environment, governor, innovation, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, technology, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
MCAULIFFE TO HOLD ROUNDTABLE WITH HAMPTON WOMEN THIS THURSDAY
This Thursday, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe will host the latest in a series of roundtables at the Phoebus Coffee House in Hampton. There, McAuliffe and his wife Dorothy will sit down with local women to discuss the issues they are facing in today’s economy.
The Phoebus Coffee House was named the first Virginia Green restaurant in Hampton. The designation recognizes businesses that meet standards for recycling waste reduction, water conservation, energy conservation and other environmental considerations.
Thursday, February 26
3:15 pm
McAuliffe Hosts Women’s Economic Roundtable
Phoebus Coffee House
33 E Mellen St
Hampton, VA 23663
757-224-8406
Tags: 2009, dorothy, economic growth, economy, governor, hampton, hampton roads, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, phoebus coffee house, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia, virginia green, women
Innovative Ideas
If we're going to grow the economy and move Virginia forward, we can't just throw out policy proposals from the top down. We're all in this together, and so we all need to be a part of the solution. Too many good ideas never make it out of the legislature. Others never make it in there in the first place.
Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have been bridging the partisan divide by reaching out to get people involved in the process - using innovative ideas like setting up a website so regular Virginians can give their thoughts about how to spend federal stimulus money.
That's the same approach I've taken to this campaign. I've been listening to you - here online, and at economic roundtables all over Virginia. After I wrap those up, I'm going to use your ideas to craft a very detailed business plan to grow Virginia's economy. But I wanted to take a moment and share a couple great ideas I've already gotten from folks like you.
Jennifer from Burke submitted her idea online. She suggests we:
Create an incentive plan for people to make sustainable development improvement in their communities. Give tax breaks or feed-in tariffs for people who install solar panels or develop wind energy and plug them in to their community grids. A lot of homeowners want to invest in renewable energy, but can't afford to do so or are holding out until there is an incentive to do so. Offer this incentive. Encourage communities to invest together- buy the products in bulk and split the costs... A necessary step will be to train and hire people to install these new technologies, which could create jobs. Thank you for asking!
At an economic roundtable in Martinsville, Dr. Nolan Browning noted that:
At Patrick Henry Community College, many times we get data on workforce shortages. It's important we work with current data, [so] if there's a shortage in a particular area we can match up a little better. For example, rather than saying there [are] jobs needed in the service industry, specifically where are those jobs needed? If there is a layoff in the area we [should] know not only the type of training but where those jobs can go. The problem in Martinsville is that that there are not a lot of jobs available, so we need to reach out to a larger radius like Greensboro and Roanoke and get that data as well, and it should be at our fingertips so we can be planning and working towards meeting those needs.
Please keep those ideas coming! There's nothing we can't do when we've got the public support to make the big things happen.
Click here to share an idea about how to grow the economy.
This campaign's gaining momentum everyday. This week, we received endorsements from the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters and Democratic leaders from across the Commonwealth.
We can't do it without your help, so please keep up all the hard work.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economic roundtables, economy, governor, ideas, innovative, jobs, listening, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia
Video: D&D Dairy Farm
Tags: 2009, agriculture, dayton, economic growth, economy, governor, innovation, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, shenandoah valley, t-mac, technology, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, valley, virginia
McAuliffe stumps in Dayton, City
February 23rd, 2009
The Daily News Record
Jeff Mellott
HARRISONBURG – Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe’s campaign swing through the central Valley on Saturday focused largely on agriculture, its role in the production of alternative fuels and how that might help the sagging economy.
McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who ran Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid, visited two farms in the Dayton area. Both are participating in a Virginia Tech pilot project that’s testing ways to convert farm waste into fuels and other uses.
Photo by Jeff Mellott, The Daily News Record
Oren Heatwole’s chicken operation, where litter is being converted into an energy source, and Dale Heatwole’s dairy farm, where manure is processed into a type of fertilizer that reduces the effects of runoff in area waterways.
Later in the day, McAuliffe held an economic roundtable at the Virginia Cooperative Extension office in Harrisonburg. The roundtable was one of a number of such discussions the candidate is holding throughout the state to get input on solutions to the state’s economic woes. McAuliffe is formulating an economic plan that he says will focus on ways to “grow the economy” and revenues without raising taxes.
“How do we bring in more income here in Virginia? How do we grow the economic base? How do we get the economic engine going? That’s why I am running for governor,” McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe is one of three Democrats vying for their party’s nomination for governor. The others are Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria, and Sen. Creigh Deeds of Hot Springs. The winner of a June primary will face likely GOP nominee Bob McDonnell in the fall general election. McDonnell resigned as state attorney general on Friday to focus fulltime on his gubernatorial campaign.
Energy Alternatives
Participants at the roundtable discussion included local business leaders, Virginia Tech faculty members, and a cooperative extension specialist who gave McAuliffe a tour of the farms.
The group generally supported the development of ethanol, but not necessarily from corn.
The rush to biofuels, said Virginia Poultry Federation President Hobey Bauhan of Harrisonburg, has put cost pressure on the poultry industry by taking corn for feed and putting it toward ethanol. Speculation in the commodities market made the problem worse, he said.
The conversion of poultry litter to a cost-effective fuel, could help farmers in Virginia, Bauhan said.
McAuliffe said he was encouraged by the conversion process he viewed at Oren Heatwole’s farm.
But another participant in the economic roundtable said a variety of energy forms must be considered. While supporting alternative energy, J.C. Powell of McGaheysville, who worked for Exxon for 37 years, urged the group not to overlook the development of the country’s coal and synthetic oil potential.
Enough shale oil, he said, could be produced domestically to support the country’s needs.
Tags: 2009, agriculture, chicken waste, dayton, economic, economic growth, economy, energy, governor, harrisonburg, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, roundtable, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, valley, virginia
Virginia Fire Fighters Join Our Campaign to Grow Virginia's Economy
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.
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
Virginia Democratic Leaders Endorse Terry McAuliffe
The McAuliffe for Governor campaign today released a list of Democratic leaders from across the Commonwealth who have endorsed Terry McAuliffe. Today's announcement follows the Virginia Professional Fire Fighter's endorsement yesterday in Richmond.
In discussing their endorsement, Democratic leaders cited his strong executive business credentials and his vision for turning Virginia's economy around. They also expressed their belief that McAuliffe is best qualified to carry on the Warner-Kaine tradition of leadership and has the best chance of beating Bob McDonnell in the fall.
"We Democrats have made such incredible gains over the past seven years, specifically because we have stayed focused on delivering results for Virginians," said Jim Turpin, Vice Chair-Finance of the Virginia Democratic Party. "Terry is the candidate in this race who is best qualified to get Virginia's economy back on track, and that's the result voters are looking for. We can't afford to risk putting someone in the Governor's office who doesn't have the right experience to get our economy moving again and that's why I'm supporting Terry."
"If we're going to keep Virginia moving forward, our next governor needs to be able to build on the progress of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Terry McAuliffe is the man for the job," said EJ Scott, Chair of Manassas/ Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee. "Terry has the right experience to lead our commonwealth, create jobs, and take us in the right direction on renewable energy, education, and health care. He knows that in these tough economic times, we can't raise taxes and we can't keep cutting the budget, so we have to grow the economy. Like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, he knows how to work across party lines, and he knows that not all good ideas come from Richmond. That's the kind of leadership we need."
"There is so much at stake in this election," said Gena Doyle, Chair of the Salem Democratic Committee. "Bob McDonnell has the wrong priorities for Virginia. He would turn back the progress that Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have made over the last seven years, and the Republican National Committee is going to be right there behind him. Terry has my support because he is the best candidate to beat Bob McDonnell and help us win back the House of Delegates."
A full list of the leaders endorsing today follows:
Dr. Ella Ward - Chair, Chesapeake Dem. Committee
Eileen Huey - Vice Chair, Chesapeake Dem. Committee
Arthur Bredemeyer - Chair, Suffolk Dem. Committee
Jim Turpin - Vice Chair-Finance, Dem. Central Committee
Carrie Nixon - Co-Chair, Providence Dem. Committe
Anne Rawley - Activist Member, Chesapeake Dem. Committee
EJ Scott - Chair, Manassas Dem. Committee
Bruce Neilson - Treasurer, Fairfax County Dem. Committee
Gena Doyle - Chair, Salem Dem. Committee
Tom Bellanca - Dulles District Chair, Loudoun County Dem. Committee
Ricardo Cabellos-Reyes - Mercer Precinct Captain (Loudoun)
Keyanna Conner - Young Dem. Activist
Jonathan Ward - Young Dem. Activist
Tags: 2009, democratic central committee, democratic party, dems, economic, economy, endorsements, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, young democrats
Virginia Notebook: Firefighters Make It Official
February 18th, 2009
The Washington Post
By Tim Craig
The Virginia Professional Firefighters Association, an influential labor organization, officially endorsed Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor today at an event in Richmond.
R. Michael Mohler, the president of the association, said the union trusts McAuliffe to create more jobs as governor and run a vigorous campaign this year that will also help Democrats retake control of the House of Delegates.
"We understand the connection between a strong economy and our jobs," Mohler told about 100 union members, who were wearing yellow "Firefighters for McAuliffe" t-shirts. "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."
During his speech, McAuliffe pledged to create more jobs and talked about the day he spent working as a firefighter in Fairfax County.
McAuliffe said he "will never forget" the fire fighters, even suggesting they could call him on his cell phone if he becomes governor.
"This is a big deal," McAuliffe said. "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."
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, endorsements, firefighters, governor, jobs, labor, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, union, va-gov, virginia, virginia professional fire fighters, vpff
Gubernatorial Candidate Terry McAuliffe to Hold Grand Opening Celebration of McLean Headquarters, Will Open Offices Across the Commonwealth
For Immediate Release: February 18, 2009
Gubernatorial Candidate Terry McAuliffe to Hold Grand Opening Celebration of McLean Headquarters, Will Open Offices Across the Commonwealth
This evening, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is hosting a grand opening celebration with volunteers at his statewide headquarters in McLean. In the coming weeks, McAuliffe will open local offices across Virginia, including locations in Virginia Beach, Richmond, Roanoke, and Loudoun.
Since kicking off his campaign, McAuliffe has hit the road to meet with Virginians all across the commonwealth. During his announcement tour, McAuliffe held 25 town halls and meet and greets, where he discussed his vision for Virginia and listened to what was on voters' minds. Currently, he is conducting a series of economic policy roundtables with local business and community leaders to get their input on how to get Virginia's economy back on track.
McAuliffe's local campaign offices are another way his campaign is reaching out to grassroots supporters.
"Every day, I am talking to Virginians about their ideas, and so many Virginians are eager to participate in the conversation," McAuliffe said. "I believe that we must look to every corner of Virginia to solve the issues facing us. In every single one of my offices, the doors will always be open to those who want to help move our commonwealth forward."
To locate an organizer in your region, please visit http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/organizers. The first of McAuliffe's new offices will open in Alexandria, Roanoke, and Woodbridge, while the state headquarters will also serve as the regional field office for Fairfax County; information on these offices follows.
State Headquarters/Fairfax County Field Office
7600 Colshire Drive
Fourth Floor
McLean, VA 22102
Regional Field Director: Bill Ballard, bill.ballard@terrymcauliffe.com
Alexandria Field Office
1307 King Street
First Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
Regional Field Director: Corrie Keegan, corrie.keegan@terrymcauliffe.com
Roanoke Field Office
302 First Street
Roanoke, VA 24011
Regional Field Director: Jason Perkey, jason.perkey@terrymcauliffe.com
Woodbridge Field Office
4341 Ridgewood Center Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Regional Field Director: Rachael Outman, rachael.outman@terrymcauliffe.com
Tags: 2009, economic, economic growth, economy, field offices, field organizers, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mclean, nova, office opening, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
TERRY MCAULIFFE ENDORSED BY VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS
For Immediate Release: February 18, 2009
TERRY MCAULIFFE ENDORSED BY VIRGINIA PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS
Citing his unique experience to turn Virginia's economy around and his long-standing commitment to the men and women who work on the front lines to protect our families, the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters today endorsed Terry McAuliffe for governor at a press conference in Richmond.
"Terry McAuliffe has spent years fighting for working men and women like our fire fighters and first responders," said Mike Mohler, President of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters. "Like everyone else, we are feeling the effects of the economic downturn. Terry has the right experience to get our economy back on track, and he has made clear that like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, as governor, he will ensure that EMS and fire fighting personnel have the resources they need to do their jobs."
Speaking at the press conference, McAuliffe thanked the fire fighters for their work and talked about supporting first responders and stabilizing Virginia's budget by turning our economy around.
"I want to express my appreciation for the work that fire fighters and first responders do here in the Commonwealth," McAuliffe said. "There is nothing more honorable than putting yourself on the line to help others, and that's what you do every single day."
"We owe it to you to make sure that you have the equipment and the support you need to do your jobs safely," McAuliffe continued. "As governor, I will work to grow Virginia's economy, so that we can invest more in public safety and first responders."
The Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) is an association of local unions of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), representing career professional firefighters and paramedics in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VPFF was originally established on January 10th, 1955, as the Virginia State Association of Fire Fighters, by charter locals from Newport News, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Richmond, and Roanoke. From the original group of 5 locals representing 640 firefighters in 1955, the VPFF has grown to 55 local unions representing over 7,500 firefighters and paramedics.
Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, endorsements, firefighters, governor, jobs, labor, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia professional fire fighters, vpff
George Washington Birthday Parade with Terry
Yesterday on President’s Day, 70 of Terry’s supporters came to the George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria to honor our nation’s greatest Presidents. Supporters gathered outside the Alexandria Democratic Committee headquarters on South Royal Street, where they donned Team Terry T-Shirts and handed out stickers and signs to Alexandria residents. An hour before the parade began, Terry and Dorothy and their five kids, Dori, Jack, Mary, Sally, and Peter, arrived and greeted supporters. Also at the parade was Finnegan McAuliffe, Terry’s loyal golden retriever.
Once the parade began, Team Terry marched down the parade route chanting “New Energy! New Jobs!” Team Terry passed out candy, bumper stickers, and fortune cookies to spectators. These specialty fortune cookies were a popular commodity -- when you open them up, messages reading "High-speed rail" or "Jobs" or "Renewable energy... is in your future." The parade was a great opportunity for Virginians to meet Terry and his family in person, and be introduced to his vision for creating good jobs and growing Virginia’s economy. Terry will continue to travel all over the Commonwealth listening to the concerns of Virginians who desperately need to get this economy back on track.
Tags: 2009, alexandria, business, dorothy, economic, economy, george washington, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, nova, parade, plan, president's day, small business, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Tell me what you think
As you probably know, I'm not shy about telling people what I think. But in this campaign, I've been doing a lot of listening.
As I kicked off my candidacy, I held town halls across the Commonwealth so you could ask me about the experience I'd bring to the governor's office. And now, I'm traveling around the state to hear from people about their ideas for getting our economy back on track.
Last week, I held economic policy roundtables in Norfolk and Martinsville so I could hear from local business and community leaders about their ideas about how to grow our economy. And I'm going to do the same thing in every region of Virginia.
Good ideas come from all corners of the Commonwealth, not just Richmond. But sadly, not enough people in the legislature are actually listening. I want to change that. Today, I'm taking the conversation online. So let me know, if you were governor, what would you do to get our economy moving?
With the right leadership, I know we can attract the jobs of the future and still make essential investments in education, health care, and transportation that will keep Virginia the best managed state in the nation.
But it's important to remember that political power isn't rooted in the legislature or the governor's mansion. It starts with people like you. And unless we've got the will of the public to make the bold changes necessary to grow our economy, we won't do much to stop the obstruction that we too often see out of the legislature.
This campaign is about you, and it won't be a success without your input.
Tags: 2009, business, economic, economy, governor, hearing, ideas, jobs, listening, macker, mcauliffe, plan, small business, t-mac, telling, terry, terry mcauliffe, thinking, va-gov, virginia
Transportation
Terry McAuliffe understands that we need to start thinking long term on transportation. He knows there must be an honest discussion about transportation funding. But Terry also believes we need to figure out where we want to be ten, twenty, or thirty years down the line and start to lay the groundwork for that, even if we can’t do it all today. Governor Kaine has made record investments in rail and public transit and he has better connected land use and transportation planning – in twenty years, we’re going to look back at the changes he’s made and truly understand their importance.
We need to continue down this path, focusing on high-efficiency methods for moving people and goods. We need a high-speed rail line that would connect the major urban areas of Virginia with one another. And we need to start talking about it now. We can team up with Virginia corporations through public-private partnerships to get this done. It’s a smart investment for them, would create jobs, and get more people off the roads.
We need to see the Dulles rail project through – and then we need to think about what other communities we can connect to Metro. We need to improve transit in Hampton Roads, including transit that moves people across the water. We need passenger rail that connects more parts of Virginia together, and we need to get more freight off the highways and onto the rail system.
Terry knows that this can’t be done in four years, but as long as we have leadership that thinks big and doesn’t let the size of the challenge put the solution out of reach, we don’t have to wait to set goals and take the first steps toward these solutions.
There are also some things we can do right now to help our transportation problems. These are things we can fix right now, that don’t require a lot of money, to make everyone’s lives just a little bit easier.
For example, those warning signs all along I-95 and I-64 would be far more useful if the lights weren’t out half the time. Terry wants to get those fixed. Or, if you’ve ever driven on I-81, you’ve probably found yourself stuck behind two trucks driving side-by-side, backing up traffic for miles. Terry wants to make all trucks drive in the right hand lane so people can actually get around them. These are some ways to help ease the pain in the short-term, while we plan for a longer-term solution to our transportation problem.
Tags: 2009, business, congestion, economic, economy, governor, high-speed rail, i-64, i-95, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, plan, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, traffic, transportation, va-gov, virginia
Education
Virginia is not going to be able to attract and sustain jobs of the future if we don’t have a workforce that is ready for those jobs. Right now, we know those jobs are in the energy field. But in 50 years, it could be something different. In this fast-paced, global economy, teaching to the test is not enough. Our students need to learn how to innovate and think critically. This will serve them well in five years and in fifty years.
In recent years, other countries have made advances in education while our system has remained essentially the same. In this global economy, it is not enough for our students to just be able to take a test. Terry McAuliffe believes that while it’s important for our students to have basic knowledge, we need to look beyond multiple-choice questions and teach them how to think.
There are some steps we can take to get there.
One of the most important things we can do to help our children live their lives to their fullest potential is get off to the right start. Governor Tim Kaine has made significant investments in early childhood education, and Terry believes we need to continue this progress and invest even more in pre-k. Ultimately, if a child is ready for school, he or she is far more likely to be successful upon entering kindergarten and less likely to get into trouble down the road.
Terry also knows that Virginia has to do more for our teachers. There needs to be a focus on attracting and retaining bright individuals to teaching. The federal and state government continue to place demands on teachers but with little to no incentive to stay and do a good job. It’s no wonder nearly half of teachers these days leave the profession within the first five years. Virginia must pay teachers at least the national average.
And finally, in the area of higher education, any student who wants to go to college should have that opportunity. Virginia’s colleges and universities have a lot to offer – many are doing innovative research that could lead to great economic development opportunities. Terry believes we need to help our institutions of higher education capitalize on research. Ultimately, the result will be more dollars for colleges and universities and more opportunities to keep tuition low and offer scholarships.
Tags: 2009, business, classrooms, economic, economy, education, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, plan, schools, t-mac, teachers, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Energy
We need to realize where the jobs of the future are and work towards making Virginia the leader in creating them. Terry believes those jobs are renewable energy jobs.
Terry believes that we have got to plan now for a green energy future. Virginia’s technology sector can make huge gains in the green economy over the next 10 years, and with agriculture and forestry as our #1 industry, we have tremendous potential to grow biofuels and create new markets for our farmers. Virginia needs to partner with the federal government, the private sector, and our colleges and universities to help make Virginia a leader in renewable energy.
We all realize that we need to fight global warming and compete in the emerging green sector – but realizing it isn’t enough. We need our next Governor to plan boldly and make things happen.
Terry believes that Virginia ought to have a strategy to increase use of renewable energy. We know that we can’t continue to rely on traditional sources of energy. We should be increasing state support for the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Not only will this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also create thousands of new jobs across Virginia.
There are some initial steps we can take toward the long-term goal of increasing use of renewable energy and creating jobs. For example, right now Virginia has a voluntary standard for power companies to produce 12% of their power from renewable energy sources by 2022. Terry believes that there must be a mandatory standard. It creates renewable energy jobs; it’s good for our environment; and it helps the energy companies make money in the end.
Another step we can take is converting organic waste into energy. There’s no reason why poultry farmers, for example, should have to pay people to haul waste away. Too often it ends up in our waterways. Converting waste into energy would allow farmers to be paid for the waste instead of paying others to take it away. And, it would create a clean and affordable Virginia-based energy for consumers, while helping to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and other Virginia watersheds.
Terry believes that Virginia can become a leader in renewable energy, and these are just a couple of ways to get us there.
Tags: 2009, biomass, business, economic, economy, energy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, plan, renewable, solar, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, wind
Growing our Economy
Governor Kaine has had the difficult task over the past two years of cutting Virginia’s budget in order to handle the effects of the national recession. He has already taken steps to trim the fat from state government. He has had to look beyond efficiencies and hiring freezes and start cutting deep into core government services in order to balance the budget. This is not an easy task, but he has done what is necessary to keep Virginia’s finances sound.
But the bottom line is that there is no more room to cut. The only way to continue to provide needed services like Medicaid and public education is by finding more revenue for the General Fund. But a down economy is no time to raise taxes.
In these difficult economic times, it is absolutely essential to look for ways to grow Virginia’s economy. Virginia has a lot to offer, and expanding our existing businesses and assets and attracting new ones is the only way we can move beyond this budget shortfall.
Terry knows that in order to turn our economy around, there needs to be a better system for attracting big investments. Virginia is an appealing place for businesses in many respects. A great regulatory environment, a well-educated workforce, access to a major international airport and the port, as well as proximity to Washington, DC provide an attractive option for many companies. And yet, when companies look towards investing in a state with 1,000 or more jobs, Virginia isn’t even an option. Other states have more to offer when it comes to attracting major deals. Virginia’s incentive system must be restructured to align ourselves with other states. With a little work, there’s no doubt that we can make a case for why Virginia is the best state for big companies to locate.
In addition to attracting new businesses, Terry knows it’s important to support our existing small businesses and entrepreneurs. According to the most recent federal data, Virginia has over 150,000 small businesses that each has less than 100 employees. Terry believes that we need to continue the work that Governor Kaine has done to increase the number of government contracts held with small, women, and minority owned businesses. As a small business owner himself, Terry understands the needs that small organizations have and how vital of a role they play in Virginia’s economy.
Tags: 2009, economic, economic growth, economy, governor, growing, growth, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, plan, small business, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
A Business Plan for Virginia
All over Virginia, people are anxious. Like everyone else in America, Virginians are nervous about the economy. This is not a Democratic, Republican or Independent issue. This is a Virginia issue.
In every corner of the Commonwealth – in rural, suburban, and urban areas – unemployment rates are rising, homes are being foreclosed, and people’s life savings are diminishing. And all signs indicate that next year is going to be even worse – perhaps the worst year since the Great Depression. Virginians are worried.
But Virginians also know that the best days are ahead. They know that the next few years are going to be tough, but they are ready to get to work and build a better future for their children. They need a governor who can bring an energetic, fresh, creative approach to solving problems and building a stronger economy… a governor who comes to the job with the right kind of experience to take on some very tough challenges.
Governors Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have done a great job of leading Virginia through both good times and bad times. Thanks to them, Virginia has been named the Best Managed state in the country two times in a row. Virginia has been named the best state for business and the best state in which to raise a child. And, once again, Virginia has obtained a Triple A bond rating from every ratings agency.
Now, with what we’re facing in the next few years, people want a governor who, like Governors Warner and Kaine, brings the right kind of executive background to the job and who understands that not all good ideas come from Richmond. A governor who, like Governors Warner and Kaine, knows that it’s not about politics – it’s about RESULTS. That’s what it’s going to take to get our economy moving forward again and to build on the progress we’ve made over the past seven years.
Terry McAuliffe knows that in Virginia, just like in a business, there needs to be a plan, with clear long-term and short-term goals, to help us get back on track. We need to think about what Virginians need right now, but we also need to think about what we’re going to need down the road in 10, 20, or 30 years. Instead of thinking about short-term band-aids, we need to set goals for the future and then figure out what steps we need to take to get there. What we need is a Business Plan for Virginia. A plan that deals with all aspects of state government and helps all Virginians get back on track.
Terry McAuliffe has drawn from his experience as a businessman and from his conversations with Virginians to lay out a few thoughts here. Check back over the coming weeks as Terry rolls out his business plan for Virginia to see more.
Tags: 2009, business, economic, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, plan, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
How the stimulus bill can realize a vision for Virginia
February 15, 2009
The Daily Press
Terry McAuliffe
No issue is more pressing this year, either in Virginia or nationwide, than creating jobs and getting our economy back on track.
To generate economic growth and ensure that we provide opportunities for all Virginians, we need to invest in high- value, high-growth industries for the future, building the infrastructure and work force we need to attract them.
While growing the economy is a long-term project, we have a unique opportunity to start moving forward right now, thanks to the economic stimulus program that President Barack Obama has proposed. The president’s plan is projected to create or save nearly 3 million jobs nationwide — almost 100,000 jobs in Virginia — with one-quarter of those jobs coming in energy and infrastructure. Virginia is well-positioned to put federal stimulus dollars to good use in both areas, creating new, high-paying, high-growth jobs throughout our state, not just in the urban centers. But we need to make sure that we are directing our investments with an eye toward the future.
Today, the nation’s future rests on finding cleaner, cheaper and U.S.-based energy alternatives. Obama has made new energy alternatives a focus for his stimulus program — there’s no better place to start than Virginia.
New technologies mean new jobs. Virginia has a chance to be on the leading edge in a new green energy revolution, and we should grab it. New factories building the latest in wind and solar equipment can put thousands of Virginians to work in high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs. New, clean biofuels create new markets for Virginia crops and livestock waste. We can even generate energy from our gas-producing landfills. And retrofitting existing buildings also creates immediate jobs for carpenters, electricians, installers and other contractors.
Better conservation technologies also mean more money in Virginians’ pockets. Any opportunities to save money on heating and electric bills in this economy will benefit everyone. And all of these approaches mean we’re taking better care of our environment, leaving a cleaner, healthier planet for our children and grandchildren.
Virginia’s transportation infrastructure also desperately needs an infusion of funding with a healthy dose of innovation. Virginia operates the nation’s third-largest road network. According to one estimate, Virginia has more than $100 billion in unmet transportation infrastructure needs — which we try to meet with a state transportation budget of only about $3 billion.
As a vital part of the nation’s capital region, site of many important military installations, and home to what should soon be the largest port on the East Coast, Virginia’s infrastructure — and its connections to the rest of the country — should be of central concern to the Congress and the president. And we can’t just keep doing things the same old way.
We need to focus our infrastructure investments on getting more cars off the roads in our worst traffic-clogged areas, utilizing rail and even our ports, instead of trucks. This means securing a federal commitment to high-speed rail and to improving existing rail lines across the commonwealth to move people and goods. Central Virginia has the capacity to retrofit its rail corridor to double-stack and expand it, which is the future of intermodal and global shipping. We also need additional federal funding to upgrade existing road infrastructure in areas where better transportation is vital for economic growth — like making improvements to Interstate 81 and the Coalfields Expressway in Southwest Virginia.
But our investments shouldn’t focus on infrastructure alone — we also need to build up a well-trained work force. In addition to educating the next-generation work force, we need to invest in worker retraining programs to help the thousands of Virginians who have lost their jobs. Virginians have the drive and dedication to succeed. We just need to arm them with the scientific, technological and innovative know-how to lead the world in the 21st century.
I see a Virginia that is a national and world leader in such industries of the future as alternative energy, new transportation technologies like high-speed rail, smart roads and smart cars, while maintaining our pre-eminence in IT and becoming the East Coast’s leading port and transshipment center. All this is possible with vision, business acumen and creativity — all of which I hope to bring to Richmond, as Mark Warner and Tim Kaine did before me. But, in the short term, properly directed federal stimulus would be a great first step.
McAuliffe is a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for governor of Virginia. For information about his positions, go to terrymcauliffe.com.
Tags: 2009, daily press, economic, economic growth, economy, governor, growth, hampton road, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, newport news, norfolk, recovery, stimulus, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe's Statement on Cuts to Higher Education Research Funding
For Immediate Release: February 13, 2009
Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement regarding the House of Delegates cuts to higher education research funding:
"Yesterday, the the House of Delegates voted to eliminate funding to the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (item 254 #1h). These funds would support the commercialization of research at our higher education institutions, which can help stimulate our economy and keep college tuition costs down. In these tough economic times, we need to watch every penny, but we also need to focus on growing the economy. Finding ways to capitalize on the research conducted at our colleges and universities here in Virginia is critical to the commonwealth's economic vitality and growth.
"Governor Kaine's proposed budget took a fiscally responsible approach to balancing the budget, while taking steps -- like turning higher ed research into new companies and new jobs -- to help get our economy back on track. I urge the the House and Senate to restore this important funding during the budget conference, so we can start to get Virginia's economy moving again."
Tags: 2009, budget, economy, education, funding, governor, higher education, house of delegates, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, research, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tim kaine, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe at Economic Roundtable in Martinsville
Tags: 2009, economic, economic roundtable, governor, jobs, macker, martinsville, mcauliffe, roundtable, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Unbelievable Enthusiasm
The enthusiasm and excitement for Terry's candidacy at the JJ last weekend was unbelievable, and I wanted to share a short video of the experience with you.
The JJ also marked the formal kickoff of our grassroots operation. We trained nearly four hundred supporters to organize on Terry's behalf - including many who volunteered their time and energy to help Barack Obama carry the Commonwealth in this past year's Presidential Election.
This campaign is about you, and we're counting on your help to make it a success.
Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe and Supporters at the VA Dems Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Video: Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Gubernatorial Candidate Terry McAuliffe's Statement on the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP
For Immediate Release: February 12, 2009
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP. The NAACP was founded in 1909 to combat an epidemic of lynching across the South, and in the hundred years since has dedicated itself to achieving equality for minorities in America.
"I am proud to be a lifetime member of the NAACP. Their continued dedication to justice for all Americans made possible the historic era in which we are living. Today, I congratulate the NAACP on a century of courageous work. We owe a debt of gratitude to the NAACP and to all those individuals who fought for the integration of our schools and continue to fight for equal political, social, and economic rights for Americans of every race."
Tags: 2009, economic, economy, equality, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, naacp, rights, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Video: Jefferson-Jackson
Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
For McAuliffe, it's all about the economy
February 11th, 2009
The Fairfax County Times
Dan Roem
Perhaps it’s not fair to boil down Terry McAuliffe’s candidacy for governor to a single issue.
But the dominant message of this Democrat’s candidacy has been economic revitalization through job creation.
“I don’t believe you raise taxes in a down economy,” McAuliffe said during an interview last month with Times Community Newspaper reporters. “That leaves you with one alternative. I think we need to grow the economy. I think we need to create jobs.”
McAuliffe, a Syracuse, N.Y., native, has spent most of the last two decades living in McLean.
He is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and he chaired Sen. Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful run for president as a volunteer. He has a background in business and Internet investments.
In traffic-choked Fairfax, McAuliffe said enticing and retaining businesses starts with getting cars off the road.
“Our transportation system is a mess,” he said. “I know better than to go anywhere near Route 7 between 4 and 8 p.m. It’s an absolute parking lot. Last year, [Virginians] spent 157 million hours and 350 million gallons of gas idling in traffic. That needs to change.”
McAuliffe, a longtime supporter of extending Metrorail to Loudoun County, intends to explore a public-private partnership to bring high-speed rail to the state.
“I envision a high-speed train going from Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg and on to Richmond and Hampton Roads,” he said. “My whole emphasis is going to be taking cars off our roads. To get where we need to be, we have to start thinking differently. We’re not going to get there with budget cuts because there’s nothing left to cut. We have to grow the economy.”
McAuliffe is vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination against Bath County state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-25th) and former Alexandria Del. Brian Moran (D-46th).
The winner of the June 9 primary likely will face presumptive Republican nominee Attorney General Bob McDonnell ® in the general election in November.
McAuliffe focuses his job-creation stump speeches on green energy. Creating jobs in the renewable energy field would drive down the need for more coal or nuclear power plants and reduce the need for more power lines, he said.
McAuliffe also recommends bringing manufacturing jobs related to wind turbines to Virginia.
He plans to create these jobs through tax incentives and investments in transportation infrastructure and education.
Once the state is more solvent, McAuliffe would support spending more on job creation.
“You’ve got to offer [businesses] tax incentives,” he said. “You’ve got to help them with the infrastructure.”
McAuliffe focused criticism of the Dillon Rule on big businesses being restricted from operating in some locales. The rule restricts localities from actions not expressly permitted by the state code.
Given more localized authority, he said, school boards and local governments could work more efficiently. School boards working together for bulk purchasing power would help local governments save money, he said.
In places like Fairfax and Loudoun, where unemployment numbers have been relatively stable, McAuliffe said he hears as much about quality of life issues like transportation and education as he does about the economy and job losses.
“Transportation and education are really big issues in Northern Virginia,” McAuliffe said. “I talk to a lot of people who can’t afford to send their kid to college. At the end of the day, everything’s intertwined. Education is tied to job creation, which is linked to transportation. It all needs to get fixed, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Tags: 2009, economic, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, va-gov, virginia
Economic Priorities Aired
February 11th, 2009
Martinsville Bulletin
Amanda Buck
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe got an earful of ideas — from job training to infrastructure to education — Tuesday during an economic roundtable at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
McAuliffe, who chaired Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, is one of three Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for governor this year. Tuesday’s roundtable was one of a series of similar events McAuliffe is holding around the state to seek ideas about how to improve Virginia’s economy.
About 20 people gathered at the museum to discuss the local economy with McAuliffe, who probably asked more questions of participants than they asked of him.
An issue that came up early and often during the roughly two-hour discussion was the need for job training in the area’s work force. John Parkinson, president and CEO of Drake Extrusion, told McAuliffe that his company recently posted an ad for eight job openings and received more than 200 applications in response.
Despite the response, “I’m not sure we’ll get eight appropriate people,” Parkinson said.
Drake had to “immediately discard more than half” of the applicants because they didn’t have the required education, Parkinson said. Other applicants could not pass a drug screening test, he said.
“We need to be upgrading the education of our incumbent workers,” Parkinson said, echoing the words of Kim Adkins, executive director of the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board.
If work force training is not addressed, “the businesses that do come can’t continue to grow,” Parkinson said. “It’s a real challenge for us at this time.”
Rhonda Hodges, dean of continuing education and work-force development at Patrick Henry Community College, and Nolan Browning, vice president of academic and student development there, said PHCC works to meet those needs for existing businesses. However, Browning said, that can be difficult because it is hard to get updated data on what companies need.
Program offerings should be matched better with businesses’ needs, Browning said. “So if there is a layoff, we know the type of training (workers need) and where the jobs could go.”
Parkinson commended PHCC for its help with training when Drake located in the area 13 years ago. But more should be done, Browning and Hodges indicated.
“Some is funding; some is collaboration and communication,” Hodges said of what needs to happen.
As he did throughout the meeting, McAuliffe, 52, took notes about the ideas and issues raised.
Scott Kizner, superintendent of Martinsville Schools, and Curtis Millner, Iriswood District representative on the Henry County School Board, stressed the importance of preschool through 12th-grade education in developing a qualified work force.
Kizner said Martinsville’s high rates of unemployment and teenage pregnancy make the needs greater here. It doesn’t make sense that some parts of the state, such as Alexandria, spend about $20,000 per student each year while Martinsville and Henry County have only between $9,000 and $10,000 per student per year, he said. Those figures include local, state and other sources of funds.
“The expectations are the same for a child born in Falls Church (as they are here), but the opportunities are not the same,” Kizner said.
Although McAuliffe said he does not want to raise taxes, Kizner suggested that a “very targeted tax” might be a way to help the school systems.
McAuliffe said creating income by creating jobs is a way to bring in revenue without raising taxes. One way to help localities do that would be by eliminating the Dillon Rule, a legal concept that strictly limits the power of local governments, placing it with state government instead.
“We need (to give) more authority to the localities,” McAuliffe said. As governor, he could not eliminate the rule, but “I certainly could curtail parts of it, I think.”
McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the issue is not necessarily a partisan one, but he is committed to seeing a Democratic majority in the General Assembly, which he said would help with curtailing or eliminating the rule.
Several speakers, including Parkinson, Iriswood District Supervisor Paula Burnette and local businessman Ronald A. “Skip” Ressel Jr., talked about the importance of completing the four-laning of U.S. 58 and constructing Interstate 73. McAuliffe said he is an ardent supporter of the “shovel-ready” 58 completion because of its potential to connect Virginia’s ports with the nation’s heartland.
He also expressed support for I-73, although Ressel and others pointed out that that project is not shovel ready because, among other things, there is a disagreement about what route the interstate should take through Henry County. The project also is being held up by a lawsuit.
Other speakers stressed the importance of small businesses and said more money should be made available to help them get established and expand. James McClain of Southwest Virginia Gas urged the streamlining of governmental resources dedicated to work-force training, and Barry Dorsey, executive director of the New College Institute, said it is essential that the institute be allowed to continue evolving into a stand-alone, four-year college.
Numerous other ideas were shared during the discussion. Afterward, McAuliffe said he and his staff will compile the ideas they hear statewide into a “business plan for Virginia” that will be released in the coming months.
“We picked up probably 20 great ideas” Tuesday, he said, mentioning job training as one that stood out.
McAuliffe, who said this was his fourth trip to the area since September, said he is committed to campaigning in Southside and plans to open a campaign office in the region. If he is elected governor in November, he said he would “be back a lot” and would continue to hold meetings similar to the roundtable.
Tags: 2009, economic, economic roundtable, governor, jobs, macker, martinsville, martinsville bulletin, mcauliffe, roundtable, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Small Business Economic Roundtable in Norfolk
Yesterday, Terry held a Small Business Economic Roundtable discussion in Norfolk. Terry knows that great ideas can come from all over Virginia, not just from Richmond. And over the next few weeks, he's going to travel to every region of the Commonwealth to solicit ideas from Virginians who work hard every day and fuel our economy. These conversations will ultimately serve as an integral part of his business plan to put Virginia's economy back on track.
Norfolk's Vivian Paige covered yesterday's event. Here's what she took away:
The conversation on Monday centered around the needs of small businesses, in particular minority and women-owned small businesses, but also included a discussion of education and the role it plays, the Dillon Rule, and the prison population. McAuliffe asked the attendees what they would do if they were governor. Among the ideas floated were the need for minority business set asides, better access to capital, having those within government who manage the various departments that deal with business actually have some business experience themselves and the mentoring of young teachers. Some of the conversation dealt with local issues, such as the lack of recreational facilities for youth. A number of speakers spoke about their own efforts to help those in the community - giving convicted felons jobs, teaching young ladies, and so forth.
In between speakers, McAuliffe spoke about his own plans to increase teacher salaries to the national average, to pursue quality teachers, to do something about the Dillon Rule. He also talked about people having access to him as governor: he wants people to be able to pick up the phone and call him if you have an issue. He certainly got an earful of ideas from this group.
Yesterday was also Terry's 52nd birthday, and the attendees thanked Terry with a birthday cake to cap off a really interesting conversation about the future of Virginia's economy.
Today, Terry's holding another economic summit in Martinsville, so please stay tuned for more information about his conversations with Virginians.
Tags: 2009, economic, governor, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, roundtable, small business, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Working Together
What a weekend! The gathering of Democratic activists and elected officials in Richmond for the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner was the perfect celebration of everything we've accomplished.
We've gotten to where we are today by offering the people of Virginia a pragmatic, common-sense approach to policy and a positive, hopeful approach to politics. And that's exactly the spirit that Terry brought to the dinner. Noting that Terry was "well received," VCU professor Bob Holsworth wrote that, "I think that his concentration on jobs and economic recovery will get people's attention."
Campaigning for governor is serious business, but every now and again, we get to relax and just enjoy the fact that we're all Democrats. And I wanted to share the video that we presented before Terry's speech, as well as some photos from a very fun-filled weekend.
Over the last eight years, we've learned some valuable lessens from our foes on the other side of the aisle. As the Republicans fought amongst themselves, leaving their party fractured and divided, we've remained unified.
That focus has delivered results. In the last eight years, we've elected two Democratic governors, picked up three Congressional seats, taken both U.S. Senate seats, the state Senate, and capped it all off by voting Barack Obama into the White House. Going forward, we cannot mess with that success. As Bill Clinton, the keynote speaker, told everyone on Saturday night, we need to "stay together, work together."
We face a real test with this upcoming governor's race. That's why it's so important that we remain committed to the principles that allowed us to elect Governors Kaine and Warner. And I don't think anyone is better suited to carry on their legacy than Terry McAuliffe.
In his speech Saturday night, Terry vowed never to attack our Democratic opponents. Instead, he criticized the Republican nominee, Bob McDonnell, for standing in the way of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine's agenda to create jobs and move Virginia forward. And by the end of the speech, the entire room was chanting along with him, letting McDonnell know that when it comes to standing in the way of progress, "Those days are over."
Click Here to See Photos and Video from the Weekend.
We clearly had a strong showing this weekend, and left a great impression with everyone in attendance. If you were previously undecided and are now ready to support Terry's candidacy, please visit our website and sign up to get involved. This campaign is about you, and we're counting on your help to make it a success.Tags: 2009, governor, henry, jefferson-jackson, jj, macker, mcauliffe, mike, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe at Virginia Democratic Party's Annual JJ Dinner
WCAV CBS 19 NewsFebruary 9th, 2009
Tags: 2009, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va, va-gov, virginia
Terry McAuliffe's Video at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Tags: 2009, democratic, dinner, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
McAuliffe Announces "Economic Roundtables" to Be Held Across Virginia
For Immediate Release: February 6, 2009
Ensuring input from all parts of the Commonwealth is included in his business plan for Virginia, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe announced today that he will hold a series of Economic Roundtables in every region of Virginia in the coming months. Meeting with business and community leaders, McAuliffe will discuss his vision for the future economic vitality of the Commonwealth and also hear from them about how to get our economy back on track.
With Virginia facing unprecedented economic challenges, the roundtables will focus on a wide range of issues affecting the economy, including attracting new jobs to the commonwealth, education and workforce training, improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and investing in renewable energy technologies to create green jobs. When the economic policy roundtables conclude, McAuliffe will unveil a series of policy initiatives, including ideas collected from his discussions across Virginia.
“Over the coming months, I look forward to continuing my conversation with Virginians about the direction they want the Commonwealth to move in,” McAuliffe said. “I believe the best ideas don’t always come out of Richmond. The next governor of Virginia must look to every corner of the Commonwealth when it comes to solving the problems that face us.”
Prior to announcing his candidacy for Governor, McAuliffe traveled across the Commonwealth, talking with and listening to Virginians about the direction they want the state to move in. Later, when he kicked off his candidacy, he held 25 town halls, where he discussed the need to have a “business plan” for Virginia and continued to listen to what Virginians had on their minds.
McAuliffe’s Economic Roundtable series will kick off with a Small Business Economic Roundtable in Norfolk and a Job Creation Economic Roundtable in Martinsville.
Monday, February 9
11:45 AM
McAuliffe Holds Small Business Economic Roundtable
The Garden Room
The Murray Center
455 East Brambleton Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Tuesday, February 10
1:45 PM
McAuliffe Holds Job Creation Economic Roundtable
Virginia Museum of Natural History
21 Starling Ave.
Martinsville, VA 24112
Tags: 2009, business, economic, governor, job creation, jobs, martinsville, mcauliffe, norfolk, policy, roundtables, small business, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia
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“At meet-and-greets from small-town Leesburg to exurban Manassas to far-south Martinsville, he douses voters in an ebullient rain of proposals… McAuliffe’s ideas may be hard to beat.”
– The New Republic, 2/4/09
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“In the midst of a daunting travel schedule and after releasing truly ambitious business and energy plans for the Commonwealth, he still maintains an energy level that those of us ten years younger would be hard pressed to match.”
– The Loudoun Independent, 4/1/09
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“McAuliffe is rolling out a series of position papers on energy and business that go well beyond the typical two-page brochure full of bromides…his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign.”
– Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/25/09
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“Although many State House insiders were initially skeptical of McAuliffe, he has been running a nearly flawless campaign. Democrats and Republicans are taking him seriously.”
– The Washington Post, 1/22/09
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“Terry McAuliffe can get through to the (rural) culture. Like I said, he’s got a positive attitude. Terry’s also got high name recognition amongst Democrats who will vote in the primary. And McAuliffe is a good name to have out here where I live.”
– Dave “Mudcat” Saunders
Political strategist for Mark Warner and Jim Webb, 3/25/09 -
“Terry McAuliffe continues to impress – rolling out a detailed plan to revive the Virginia economy and picking up labor endorsements, the latest of which came from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.”
– The Washington Post, 4/3/09
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“He brings a kind of energy and visibility and presence that’s just extraordinary.”
– Bob Holsworth, professor at VCU, 2/4/09
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