Weekly Blog Roundup 6/5/09

There are only 4 days until Election Day, and the blogs are buzzing over who looks like the best candidate to win the Democratic primary. Bloggers are praising Terry for being the only candidate to take a bold stance against special interests. More have recently come out with endorsements of Terry, while other supporters have been discussing polls and recent news coverage.

At Blue Virginia, Lowell reported on Terry's recent endorsement from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, providing a post with commentary and a second post with video of the endorsement event.

A top-notch endorsement for Terry McAuliffe, following Ed Rendell's endorsement earlier today...Chris Cillizza adds that Schweitzer's 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." Nice.

Ben Tribbett shared a video on his blog, Not Larry Sabato, featuring a profile of Terry from the ABC Election Special. The video talks about Terry’s campaign, features a sit-down interview with Terry, and even a comment from Tribbett himself.

Lowell at Blue Virginia reports on the latest SurveyUSA poll this week that shows Terry still in the lead in the Democratic primary.

Another day, yet another poll, this one showing Terry McAuliffe leading by 6 points, 35%-29% over Creigh Deeds, with Brian Moran trailing at 26% (the other 11% remain undecided). Too close for comfort, as far as I'm concerned, but I'd certainly rather be in Terry's position than in Brian's right now (ahead in the poll plus a far better GOTV operation plus advertising superiority leading up to June 9)….Regarding the race against Bob McDonnell, I believe that current polls are not the most helpful (given that McDonnell has a unified Republican Party while the Democrats are still fighting it out)…

At Blue Commonwealth, editor KathyinBlacksburg wrote an endorsement of Terry, believing he will be an extraordinary governor.

Evidence of Terry's energy for Virginia is everywhere. You can see it in the entries to political events awash with bright McAuliffe signs. You can see it in his impressive field operation. You can see it in the bounce of his step, the uplift of his voice and the gusto with which he exclaims about the mundane. Nothing is too trivial to be taken for granted. However, I believe Terry can bring marathon-like energy for the long haul too, the four years he'll have to put Virginia back on track and mover her forward. Terry doesn't do things half-way, but throws himself into whatever he takes on and he'll do likewise for Virginia. …"A force of Nature" is an oft-heard description of Terry…This is not a small "vision" time. It will take much more than the standard small-change efforts and tweaks around the margins to bring our economy back, replenish state coffers, and bring back the morale of voters, including state employees, who always take the brunt of every shortfall or political whim (such as "no car tax"). It is, as Barack Obama likes to say, our moment. But it is a moment of crisis. And that moment requires a "force of nature."

At Blue Commonwealth, Jen Little also wrote a diary endorsing Terry, explaining her tough decision after knowing the other candidates personally.

I don't want to be stuck in the political "box." The "box" that is Richmond politics as usual, and those inside the "box" are content with how things work. I see myself as more of teetering on the "box's" ledge I want more. I want to be inspired. I want to know that there will be an end to the fiscal pinch we are all feeling in local government and our homes. I want to know that if I work hard I will stay employed, have heath insurance, keep my house, and not disrupt my daughter's dreams for the future. I want to know that in some way Virginia belongs to us, and that we can work together to make it a better place to live work and play. That's when I really started to listen to Terry McAuliffe. … Terry McAuliffe is the candidate who fills me with hope and inspiration. At the end of the day, it is about what is best for Virginia, and Terry has the fresh - outside of the Richmond "box" - perspective to bring those big ideas to fruition to benefit all Virginians.

At Daily Kos, alankrishnan wrote a diary discussing why Terry stands out on ethics reform in the gubernatorial race, with his bold pledge against special interests.

With only a week for the Democratic primaries on June 9th, the pace is increasing and every call, every door knocked, and every conversation will make a difference. …I support McAuliffe because he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. In public life, McAuliffe has a clean record and the allegations against him in his business life have all proved false. He is much maligned by his detractors, and now we should be objective and vote for him. Of the Democratic candidates, McAuliffe has the best record on Ethics Reform. McAuliffe is the first candidate to propose a ban on gifts from lobbyists to Virginia elected officials… McAuliffe pledged not to take contributions from Dominion Power Corporation and its PAC… McAuliffe pledged not to take contributions from payday lending companies - and has stood by the pledge… McAuliffe pledged not to take contributions from any company receiving Federal Bailout Money…

Tags: bloggers, blog roundup, blogs, brian schweitzer, economy, ed rendell, endorsement, endorsements, energy, ethics, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, polls, rendell, schweitzer, special interests, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Ad to Respond to Negative Attacks and Highlight Call for Lobbyist Reform

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement in response to the false personal attacks levied by opponents. The ad highlights McAuliffe's experience as a business owner and his documented record of creating jobs. It also points out his bold plans to grow Virginia's economy by focusing on green technologies.

"In my own businesses, I've created thousands of good paying jobs. That's what this election should be about: creating jobs right here. That's why we've got to change Richmond," McAuliffe says in the ad. "Let's ban lobbyist gifts, so they can't stand in the way. Make Virginia a leader in renewable energy. And as governor, I'll make it my job to project your job.

The ad "One" will run on stations in the Richmond and Norfolk media markets. It can be viewed here: http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/one.

Tags: attacks, business, economy, energy, jobs, lobbyist reform, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe

Terry McAuliffe Highlights Energy Efficiency Proposals

This morning, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe highlighted his plans for increasing energy efficiency to help our environment, create jobs, and reduce the energy bills of Virginia families at an event with representatives from building company Bain-Waring. At a high-efficiency home construction project where recycled newspaper insulation was being installed, McAuliffe discussed his proposals to reduce Virginia's energy consumption and meet the energy needs of the Commonwealth with members of the League of Conservation Voters, whose organization endorsed McAuliffe in the gubernatorial primary.

"Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest, and cleanest way for Virginia to meet its growing energy demands," said McAuliffe. "By investing in cost-effective energy efficiency measures, we can not only save Virginia families money, we can create efficiency sector jobs right here in the Commonwealth."

Said Lisa Guthrie, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, who was in attendance at the event, "Terry McAuliffe is stepping forward to lead Virginia in the initiative to promote energy efficiency now because it protects our environment while saving customers money and quickly bringing green jobs to every community."

McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia emphasizes the positive effects of energy efficiency, and puts forth specific proposals to encourage increased efficiency. McAuliffe's plans include incentivizing utilities to invest in and achieve high levels of energy efficiency, instead of incentivizing them to generate more electricity. Additionally, McAuliffe has pledged to pursue new policies that will require utility companies to put efficiency first, emphasizing long-term and efficiency planning as a precursor to the development of any new power generation.

McAuliffe has emphasized the need for a 21st century infrastructure to meet Virginia's needs as the Commonwealth moves forward, and has proposed a new emphasis on smart grid and smart meter technology to encourage consumers to conserve energy and more efficiently distribute the Commonwealth's energy resources.

Additionally, McAuliffe has put forth plans to establish a $100 million Energy Independence Revolving loan Fund to retrofit older homes and, separately, to fund low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs that will benefit Virginia families and create jobs.

Tags: business plan, energy, energy efficiency, macker, mcauliffe, proposals, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia league of conservation voters

Terry McAuliffe brings energy to Virginia race

Collegiate Times
May 27, 2009
by Mike Sage

2009 Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe has given the campaign a big name with considerable experience working at the highest levels of public affairs.

He has accomplished much in both the business and political world, and his most obvious characteristic is one that seems quite appropriate for a potential governor of the commonwealth during these tough economic times: energy.

One meeting with McAuliffe is all an observer needs to fully comprehend this contagious energy. I've had the chance to witness McAuliffe in action on two different occasions: first at the Collegiate Times' sponsored gubernatorial debate held in Blacksburg for this year's Democratic candidates, and a second time at a speech in Roanoke. In each instance, I left the experience thoroughly impressed with this very outgoing candidate.

At the debate, he displayed a highly sophisticated knowledge of the issues most important to Virginians, which helps to invalidate the outsider image that has been perpetrated by some of his detractors (since the other two Democratic candidates, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds, have spent time in the state legislature). And, in true form, McAuliffe delivered his policies on these issues with the flair and energetic charisma that have become his trademark.

The speech in Roanoke was no different, with McAuliffe constantly multi-tasking by juggling the difficult duties of playfully joking to members of the crowd, and delivering intellectually significant and easy-to-comprehend messages on policy.

And this energy has also inspired some of the most powerful figures in American politics. McAuliffe has long been a close political ally and friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, evidenced by the fact that he served as national co-chairman of the Clinton-Gore 1996 re-election campaign, and that he ran Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. Prior to those roles, McAuliffe held a number of vital financial positions in Democratic politics, including Director of Finance at the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

McAuliffe also served as Chairman of the DNC from 2001 to 2005, a tenure which has sparked debate. Some point to Democratic losses in Congress and John Kerry's defeat in the 2004 Presidential campaign in assigning blame to McAuliffe. These criticisms couldn't be more off-base; McAuliffe spent his time as DNC Chair creating a new infrastructural outlook that has enabled the party to reach unprecedented levels of voters, and a more diverse and intricate network of voters.

Another example of McAuliffe's open and energetic style, and one that is most pertinent to the needs of the Virginia citizenry, is his 130-page 'Business Plan For Virginia'. The plan is broken down into five chapters: The major policy topics are energy, business development, education, economic security, and transportation. All of these issues are paramount in this time of economic turmoil and uncertainty.

Some of the highlights are his plans for the development of wind-turbine power off the Chesapeake Bay, specifically-defined changes in electricity law and smart incentives for businesses to relocate to Virginia, and his support for a passenger rail project that would connect Hampton Roads with Richmond and Washington.

However, perhaps as important as any of McAuliffe's plans for Virginia is his call for educational reform. If elected as Governor, McAuliffe proposes to make significant improvements in early childhood education, college affordability, and technical and vocational programs in the state's numerous community colleges, which would train young people for the 21st century jobs that he plans to help create.

At the end of the day, it seems to me that the current political environment is one of action and engagement. Those might be the best words to describe President Obama's time in office so far - from direct public outreach through videos explaining his decisions, to the actual measures he has taken, which have been designed to attack our biggest problems as quickly and aggressively as possible.

And, if energy and activity are the status quo in American politics at the moment, I doubt we will encounter any candidate more suited than Terry McAuliffe to be the commonwealth's next commander-in-chief.

Tags: business, debate, education, energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, 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

Va. Candidates Clash In Final Debate of Democratic Primary

The Washington Post
May 20, 2009
By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran sought to isolate rival Terry McAuliffe in the final debate of the primary campaign yesterday by trying to portray him as someone who has exaggerated his business record, inflated his campaign promises and dissembled about his campaign contributors.

"Tell me, Terry, how is this a credible, positive campaign? And how will Virginia voters trust that you'll care about their jobs and creating any new jobs?" Moran asked pointedly.

With three weeks to the June 9 primary, the debate mirrored the closing themes of a hard-fought campaign, with McAuliffe maintaining his role as the center of attention as he wages an outsider bid to become the Democratic standard-bearer in a general election race against Republican Robert F. McDonnell.

After absorbing repeated jabs, McAuliffe dismissed the critiques as "divisive politics of destruction that people are sick and tired of," and he asked his opponents to redouble their efforts to focus on ideas so the party can emerge from the primary united.

"That's what Democratic primaries are all about," he said.

Almost 500 people watched the three men clash 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 little daylight separating the three Democrats on most major issues, the debate, like the campaign, turned into more of a referendum on style -- and most notably on what McAuliffe described as his shoot-for-the-moon approach to political campaigning. Deeds and Moran 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.

The two longtime legislators joined forces to suggest that voters should view as slick the claims of McAuliffe's well-funded campaign, at least in part because he boasts a thin record in Virginia politics. Last night, Moran picked up the theme in his first TV ad scheduled to run during the debate in Northern Virginia, followed by a week in Hampton Roads and Richmond.

In one exchange, Moran turned to McAuliffe and said: "I don't have time to teach you the legislative process, nor do Virginians have time for you to learn.''

In another, Deeds asked: "So, Terry, I get that you've paid for this campaign about big ideas, but now tell us how you'd actually govern -- and how would you pay for all these big ideas," Deeds asked.

Moran repeatedly questioned McAuliffe's claim that he had created 100,000 jobs -- which, he said, would put him in the category of creating more than Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Deeds questioned his promises, noting he has so far pledged to build a high school gym in Martinsville, pay off teachers' mortgages and loans, reform Medicaid and use his Hollywood connections to make Virginia the new film capital of the world.

McAuliffe made no apologies. He said his achievements outside of Virginia, including a string of successful business investments and sure-footed leadership of the national Democratic Party, show he can make good on promises and bring new ideas to a stalemated Richmond.

"You shoot for the moon,'' McAuliffe said. "John Kennedy didn't say we were taking a rocket halfway to the moon, he said all the way."

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 trend in favor of Democratic candidates. This year's primary is the party's first contested gubernatorial nomination battle in more than two decades.

During the hour-long debate, hosted by The Washington Post and News Channel 8, the candidates made it clear that they agree on the need to boost the economy, create jobs, fund roads and transit and enforce immigration laws. They clashed on just two issues.

Moran opposes drilling for oil and gas off Virginia's coast, as a way to protect the state's tourism industry and the Chesapeake Bay. McAuliffe said he wants to explore for natural gas, though not oil, 50 miles off the coast. Deeds said he backs drilling as long as the state shares in the profits.

"Energy independence is a matter of national and economic security,'' Deeds said. "I don't believe any means toward achieving independence should be taken off the table. . . . That includes offshore drilling."

All three oppose same-sex marriage but said they would support some contractual relationships between same-sex partners, including the right to adopt a child.

Moran, who has tried to position himself as the most progressive candidate, was the most vocal in pledging to repeal the amendment that bans contractual relationships between same-sex couples. "I fought against that, I voted against it, I campaigned against it and unfortunately it passed," Moran said. "As governor, I will not rest until we repeal" it.

Deeds said he did not believe a consensus exists in the General Assembly to change Virginia law. McAuliffe said he would focus his attention on the economy.

The most lively part of the debate came when the three men were allowed to ask questions of each other. Both Deeds and Moran queried McAuliffe, a longtime McLean resident but a newcomer to state politics.

McAuliffe repeatedly told the audience he refused campaign contributions from Dominion Virginia Power, one of the most influential companies in the state. He said he made this pledge in part because the company is resistant to government-mandated use of renewable fuels. But Deeds called it a "little disingenuous" for McAuliffe to say he has not accepted money from Dominion, when he took individual donations from the company's executives.

"I can justify everything I've done," McAuliffe said as he tried to deflect the charges. And he returned repeatedly to his belief that the party needs unity.

"People are watching this debate saying, 'What are you going to do for me? How are you going to create jobs?' " McAuliffe said. "They're tired of this personal destruction and divisiveness."

Tags: annandale, brian moran, creigh, creigh deeds, debate, economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, moran, northern virginia community college, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe touts green energy

The Free Lance-Star
May 10, 2009
By Dan Telvock

As soon as he stepped out of his black Tahoe hybrid yesterday, Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe told about 35 supporters that he hears a lot of jokes about his chicken-waste idea.

"We can turn not only chicken waste, but all agricultural waste, into renewable energy," the Democrat said from a small office on Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg.

The idea is a prominent component of his campaign. McAuliffe, who will face Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran in the June 9 primary, had canvasses from Fredericksburg to Leesburg yesterday. Whoever wins the primary will face Republican Bob McDonnell, the former state attorney general.

McAuliffe said he wants to pump more money into the state opportunity fund to create jobs and bring in new revenue for a state that he says in five years will not be able to match federal transportation funds.

If elected, he said, he hopes in his first month to cut the ribbon for a high-speed rail project from Washington's Union Station to Richmond to Hampton Roads. He would shut down all predatory lending companies, and he wouldn't allow lobbyists to "wine and dine" legislators. He refuses to accept donations from Dominion Virginia Power, he said, to show he is serious about renewable energy.

But maybe his biggest strength, other than his large fundraising lead, is that the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee is something of an outsider in Richmond's General Assembly politics. His two opponents are members of the General Assembly, and they have not helped the state move forward, he said. "I bring a new approach--a big-ideas approach out of the box--and I think with the economy in the worst shape it's been in since the Depression, I think that is what people are looking for."

Tags: energy, green, green energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Releases New Web Ad, Mail Piece Focusing on Chicken Waste to Energy

Following his endorsement yesterday by the League of Conservation Voters, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today unveiled an ad on the internet and a campaign mailer touting his support for clean, chicken waste-to-energy technology.

In the ad, McAuliffe notes that chicken waste-to-energy techology has the potential to power 40,000 Virginia homes as well as, "The power to create jobs right here, clean up the environment, and the power to help make us energy independent. Visit my website and read my plan."

The mail piece elaborates on the potential of biomass energy and highlights McAuliffe's environmental record. "As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry pushed to end America's dependence on foreign oil. He even threw energy lobbyists from Enron out of his office when they complained he was being too tough on them!" reads the mailer. "No other candidate for governor this year is more committed to renewable energy and green jobs in Virginia."

To watch the ad and view the mail piece click here.

Tags: ads, chicken waste, energy, macker, mail, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, web ad

Blue candidate has green plan for Virginia

Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
Op-Ed
May 3, 2009
Edward Bentz

Terry McAuliffe, candidate for governor of Virginia, has recently released his comprehensive energy plan for Virginia. It is directed at job development through green energy development.

As McAuliffe puts it, "My business plan for Virginia is really a jobs plan."

The other Democratic candidates for governor are also offering green energy initiatives: For example, state Sen. Creigh Deeds sponsored bills in the most recent session of the General Assembly to help homeowners and localities finance the purchase of solar panels, and former Del. Brian Moran has likewise promised to boost incentives for solar power.

McAuliffe's energy plan is unique in its business-oriented focus on green jobs, especially in two often-overlooked areas of potential job creation: investments in increased efficiency, and exploitation of biomass energy alternatives that match Virginia's indigenous capabilities and resources.

To boost energy efficiency, McAuliffe has proposed that Virginia deploy "smart meters" that tell consumers how much power they are using and when, much as a telephone bill itemizes each call and its cost. The meters would use information technology to improve utility electric load management, both reducing energy needs and enabling "crediting" to stimulate local electric power generation from alternatives such as wind and solar. Deploying smart meters statewide would create thousands of high-wage jobs in sectors such as data management and customer service, areas in which Virginia is well-positioned to grow.

McAuliffe is also a strong proponent of biomass clean energy technologies. Extensive green biomass technologies identified in his plan include biomass conversion of waste products in the agricultural sector such as chicken manure and timber slash; municipal solid waste to electric energy conversion systems, such as the existing Interstate 95 Resource Recovery Facility in Fairfax County; and biodiesel production from multiple biomass sources including non-crop sources such as algae, which can be grown in high yields on non-farm lands. According to the 2007 Virginia energy plan, biomass combustion and landfill gas could provide nearly 1,000 megawatts of power combined. That's more than the total potential for land-based wind farms in Virginia running at typical capacity. McAuliffe would provide tax incentives for digester gas technologies fueled by manure from poultry and livestock and create a task force to address transforming landfills into energy sources. McAuliffe would also mandate that Virginia produce 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 (the current standard is voluntary). This is a key "stick" that will reinforce the "carrots" in the plan, including tax abatement incentives, utilization of private-public partnerships, and grants to local communities to facilitate business project siting. The 25 percent by 2025 renewable standard will signal that Virginia is open for business when it comes to clean energy technology.

Other initiatives in the plan include converting the state's vehicle fleet to alternate fuels and creating a $100 million Virginia energy independence fund to create new jobs in clean energy.

The implementation of this ambitious comprehensive plan faces many technical and commercial challenges. Many other states are competing for the same federal stimulus funds, clean energy businesses, and associated good jobs. However, McAuliffe deserves credit for releasing a detailed plan that leverages Virginia's existing resources. The McAuliffe energy plan is a welcome change from usual platitudes, and raises the bar for a statewide discussion on clean energy.

Edward J. Bentz Jr. is a scientist and businessman. He is a former executive director of the U.S. National Alcohol Fuels Commission.

Tags: biomass energy, business plan, energy, green, green jobs, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Clinton lends political clout to McAuliffe's bid for governor

The Virginian-Pilot
April 28, 2009
By Warren Fiske

RICHMOND -- Yes, he does owe Terry McAuliffe a huge political debt, former President Bill Clinton said Monday.

But that's not the sole reason he came to Richmond to endorse McAuliffe's bid for governor, Clinton added.

"Look, everyone knows he's one of my closest friends," the 42nd president said at a rally at a downtown farmer's market. "So look, I'd be here regardless. Everyone knows that.

"The press says, 'Oh well, Terry McAuliffe has raised millions of dollars for Bill Clinton. He has to show up.' And that's absolutely true," Clinton told the crowd.

"... But here's what I really want to tell you," he said. "I am here today for reasons that go way, way beyond that."

Echoing McAuliffe's campaign theme, Clinton insisted that his ally would do a powerful job creating jobs and improving Virginia's economy.

"He was made for this moment," Clinton said. "He's been a great businessman. He's been a tremendously effective political leader. He has energy, he's creative, and he cares."

McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, faces two rivals in a June 9 Democratic primary: state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Del. Brian Moran. The winner will face former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, a Republican, this fall.

Clinton's appearance was hardly a surprise. McAuliffe was a top fundraiser for the former president's national campaigns. He was national chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid last year. Bill Clinton contributed $10,000 to McAuliffe's campaign in January.

Scenes of the two men embracing under the market's rustic sign - and of Clinton reciting a history of McAuliffe's entrepreneurship beginning as a teen - may lend themselves to television ads during the late stretches of the primary.

McAuliffe is hoping Clinton can galvanize support in a primary that is expected to generate small voter turnout. While Deeds and Moran have relied on their long involvement in Virginia politics to win local endorsements and piece together grass-roots support, McAuliffe has banked on national connections to raise far more money that his opponents and air a steady stream of television commercials.

"One of the things they're trying to do is overcome the sheaf of endorsements Deeds and Moran have by saying one Clinton is worth 100 local officials," said Bob Holsworth, a political scientist at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Richmond police estimated 400 people attended the rally; the McAuliffe campaign subsequently called reporters and insisted that the number was at least 600. Later in the day, Clinton and McAuliffe appeared at a smaller event in Roanoke.

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Ad Highlighting Big Ideas

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement highlighting his ideas for investing in green energy, education, and quality health care.

"People across Virginia are asking – how do we create good paying jobs? What's the next big idea that helps middle class families?" says McAuliffe in the ad. "Here's three: Take wind energy off our cost to power homes. Invest more in Pre-K, so our children start school ready to learn. Create an emergency health insurance plan so people who've lost their jobs are covered."

The television ad will run on stations in the Roanoke media market. This is the campaign's fourth ad, and the first to run in the Roanoke media market. The ad can be viewed at http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/terry-mcauliffe-launches-new-tv-ad.

Tags: ad, big ideas, education, energy, health care, macker, mcauliffe, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Gov. candidate, Bill Clinton hit energy, jobs theme

Associated Press
April 27, 2009
Bob Lewis

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — 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.

In the first of two stops Monday, longtime friends and political comrades Clinton and McAuliffe defined energy and jobs as the dominant issues in the campaign.

Clinton told about 350 people at a Richmond rally that McAuliffe was right to push offshore wind energy and technologies to turn poultry waste into power.

Later in Roanoke, he told about 250 people that the only way to put Virginians to work with a good wage over the next 10 years is to change the way the nation produces and consumes power.

McAuliffe said those jobs are his key to addressing revenue needs for public school and transportation.

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe

Bill Clinton, Terry McAuliffe make Roanoke campaign stop in race for governor

The Roanoke Times
April 27, 2009
By Michael Sluss and Mason Adams

Former president Bill Clinton and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe spoke to a crowd of about 250 in downtown Roanoke this afternoon, asking for support and touting McAuliffe's job and energy plans.

The pair spoke for a little less than 30 minutes in front of Fire Station 1 on Church Avenue Southwest. The stop was their second after a morning rally in Richmond. Clinton, who was clearly the draw for most of the Roanoke crowd, said McAuliffe would move aggressively on job creation and new energy development to put the state on the front edge of the nation's economic recovery. 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 during the Richmond appearance, which drew 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."

McAuliffe is playing his political trump card by campaigning with Clinton six weeks before the June 9 Democratic primary, hoping to separate himself from state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria. The winner of the intraparty fight will face Republican Bob McDonnell, the former attorney general, in the November election.

McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, headed the fundraising effort for Clinton's 1996 re-election bid and chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. But Clinton said his visit to Virginia is about more than returning a favor to a friend.

"I'd show up here regardless," Clinton said. "The press says, 'Oh, well, Terry McAuliffe raised millions of dollars for Bill Clinton, he's got to show up.' And that's absolutely true. But here's what I want to tell you: I'm here today for reasons that go way, way beyond that."

Clinton, a former governor of Arkansas, said governors will play key roles in the nation's economic recovery and said McAuliffe's plan to create jobs, particularly in emerging renewable energy fields, can accelerate Virginia's economic rebound.

"Governors will have an enormous impact on the speed of the economic recovery, the number of jobs that are created, the kinds of jobs that are created and whether ordinary families will actually be benefiting," Clinton said

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Bill Clinton campaigns in Richmond for McAuliffe

Richmond-Times Dispatch
April 27, 2009
By Jeff Schapiro

Former President Bill Clinton is campaigning across Virginia today for his political ally and top fund-raiser, Terry McAuliffe, who is standing for the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 9 primary.

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, but Richmond police this afternoon estimated that 350 had attended.

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.“

McAuliffe is vying against former delegate Brian Moran of Alexandria and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County for the Democratic nomination.

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, roanoke, t-mac, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

A Chicken Heating Every Pot?

The Washington Post
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
By Sandhya Somashekhar

DAYTON, Va. -- Do not try to tell Oren Heatwole that chicken poop smells.

"Total myth," he said before a colleague, eager to prove the point, scooped up a mulchy handful and inhaled deeply.

Heatwole, a former chicken farmer, might be biased. But he isn't the only fan of the stuff. Scientists at Virginia Tech are experimenting with technology that would convert what you might call an abundant resource here in the Shenandoah Valley into energy. The effort so jazzed Terry McAuliffe, a candidate for Virginia governor, that he declared, "I love chicken waste!"

But what in any other year would have been an amusing blip in a heated political contest has taken on a unique significance because of the emphasis the candidates have placed on energy and the environment.

From wind farms to nuclear power to biofuels, energy and the environment have taken an unprecedented role in the race, ranking second only to job creation and the economy as a focus. That is especially true among the Democratic contenders, who will compete for the party's nomination June 9, but also for Republican Robert F. McDonnell, who has endorsed tax incentives to promote "green jobs."

McAuliffe (D) has spoken repeatedly about the role that energy efficiency and innovation can play in creating jobs. Brian Moran (D) took an early hard-line position against offshore drilling and came out against a power plant in Surry County, which was seen as a rebuff to the coal interests that have traditionally held sway in Richmond. State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D) has called on Virginia's institutes of higher learning to develop technologies that reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

But few issues have generated as much publicity as chicken waste, driven in part by McAuliffe's characteristic over-the-top zeal for the subject. Early last month, McAuliffe visited Heatwole's property, where Virginia Tech has built its prototype chicken-waste-to-energy machine.

"He was enthused. He was very wound up on it," Heatwole said.

Using a process called pyrolysis, the device super-heats the droppings to transform them into three products: an oil that can be used for heating, a slow-release fertilizer and a gas that the researchers hope will one day be recycled to power the machine.

If successful, the project also will help reduce a source of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Although the raw waste has long been recognized as a top-notch fertilizer, if applied too heavily, it can flush into waterways and eventually the bay. That has led to severe restrictions on its use.

Environmental groups have been largely critical of efforts to generate energy from waste products such as garbage or droppings. Often such plants produce harmful emissions.

In addition, critics note that raw poultry waste already brings in top dollar as a fertilizer -- more, sometimes, than the energy it can produce.

A Pennsylvania-based company called Fibrowatt is aiming to build a power plant on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that would be fueled entirely by logging and poultry waste. The company, which built the nation's first such plant in Minnesota two years ago, estimates it would generate enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes. But company officials estimate that the $200 million plant would be economically feasible only with the help of state and federal subsidies.

Bill Miles, a Maryland lobbyist for the project, said the emissions are safer than a coal plant's and described the subsidies as a "government kick-start" necessary to get the industry going and to allow it to compete with traditional energy sources.

The argument does not sway Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a Takoma Park-based nonprofit organization.

"It does not make sense to try to solve a waste problem as an energy solution," Tidwell said. "It is an unproven technology that is going to serve only to delay and confuse the real solutions in Virginia, which are energy efficiency and true renewable energy like wind and solar."

Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Moran, criticized McAuliffe's fixation on chicken waste. "He's made it seem like chicken waste is the solution to the problem, and we're not even sure how much of an answer it is," he said.

McAuliffe says he brings it up in part because it grabs people's attention. "People perk up," he said. "If this is what I need to do to get people's attention on alternative energy and jobs, so be it."

The project has ignited interest in more than just political circles. It has brought together poultry industry and environmental groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to help fund the research. It will be at least two years before the technology is perfected and the unit -- now built for about $1 million -- is affordable for the average poultry farmer, said Foster Agblevor, the Virginia Tech professor in charge of the project.

The project uses a different technology that scientists there say will eventually emit little or no harmful gas. They are aiming to build small-scale units for individual farmers to process their own chicken waste and produce enough oil to, say, heat their chicken coops in winter.

On a recent morning, Heatwole and one of Agblevor's graduate students demonstrated how the machine works. The tangle of pipes and tanks sits in an oversized garage on Heatwole's property just feet from his house -- a testament, perhaps, to his immunity to chicken poop stink.

The machine takes about two hours to warm up. The waste, a mixture of the droppings and chicken bedding made of wood shavings, is donated by local farmers eager to see it produce results, Heatwole said. After about 30 minutes of rumbling, a valve is opened that lets out a steamy goo resembling motor oil.

Heatwole said he has been tickled by the attention the project has received because of McAuliffe's visit. But he won't be voting for McAuliffe or anyone else.

"I belong to the Mennonite faith," he said, explaining that he chooses not to vote. "I feel that the Lord will put the right candidate in."

Tags: chicken waste, energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Weekly Blog Roundup 4/17/09

In this week’s installment of our Weekly Blog Roundup, we found several big events being reported on by local bloggers. Blogs discussed the annual Shad Planking event in Virginia, the fourth chapter of Terry’s Business Plan, Terry’s fundraising and position in the primary race, and Bob McDonnell’s rejection of $125 million in unemployment benefits for Virginians.

Not Larry Sabato has analyzed the gubernatorial race based on where each of the candidates are, including most recent campaign finance reports, and puts Terry ahead of his opponents.

…Terry's prospecting and spending has given him more small donors and more volunteers on the ground at recent events… Overall- the one clear message from these reports is Terry McAuliffe is the favorite for the nomination...

In a post at Blue Commonwealth, Dan Sullivan reported on the events at Shad Planking. Terry was at the annual Virginia event in Wakefield to meet supporters and give a short speech to the crowd.

Terry McAuliffe was the principle target of most of the jabs by McDonnell and Moran. He appeared to have come prepared and willingly poked fun at himself. The addition of a brightly costumed chicken suited purveyor of alternative energy and an airplane towing a "NEW ENERGY-NEW JOBS. VOTE TERRY" sign and an over the top cheering section were designed to draw even more notice.

At Blue Virginia, Lowell also gave a recap of the Shad Planking events, including Terry winning the sign war:

Lowell also wrote about Terry receiving the most attention from his opponents.

Terry McAuliffe handles hecklers very well. As he says, the more people argue with him, the more excited and energized he gets… Clearly, Bob McDonnell was most focused on Terry McAuliffe, spending nearly three times as much of his loooong remarks talking about Terry, not Brian or Creigh (who got about a 30-second mention).

At Daily Kos, diarist ‘Mark Warner Is A God’ had some positive things to say about Terry’s fundraising, passion, and ability to win the primary race.

He has passion for causes. He's bringing that passion in unexpected ways to the Virginia Governor's race. He's a hard guy not to like when you're up close to him... McAuliffe will continue the tradition of a heavily funded top-ticket Virginia Democrat bringing tons of resources to the state party and the lower tier candidates. He seems to have a smart team on board. I'm looking forward to McAuliffe vs McDonnell. The battle of the Mac's.

What Is Right For Virginia reported on Terry signing the grassroots petition protesting Bob McDonnell’s opposition to extending unemployment benefits for Virginia families.

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe signed the Virginia Democratic Party's grassroots petition to protest Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans for rejecting $125 million in federal economic recovery funds to extend unemployment benefits. McAuliffe released the following statement: "Bob McDonnell's opposition to accepting $125 million to extend unemployment benefits is a slap in the face to the thousands of Virginia families struggling under the current economic crisis. With unemployment reaching over 20% in communities like Martinsville, it is unconscionable that McDonnell would turn a cold shoulder to Virginia's unemployed workers.”

Lowell at Blue Virginia also praised the fourth part of Terry’s comprehensive Business Plan for Virginia. This next chapter focuses on improving Virginia’s education system.

I look forward to reading the entire chapter, and commend Terry McAuliffe for putting out the most detailed - by FAR - plan for Virginia of any gubernatorial candidate, Democratic or Republican… Among other things, it includes a "[s]trong commitment to Pre-K" and aims to "improve affordability through increased student aid programs and a new 'Scholars for Service' program."

Tags: bob mcdonnell, economy, education, energy, fundraising, grassroots, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, organization, shad planking, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unemployment, va-gov, virginia

Washington Post's Dana Milbank on Terry and Trash

Tags: 2009, business plan, energy, fairfax, governor, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe, virginia

Campaign Report

As primary day gets closer, it's becoming clear that Terry McAuliffe is the one Democrat in this race who has built the campaign capable of defeating Bob McDonnell in November. Over the past four months, Terry has invested in new technologies, an unprecedented grassroots infrastructure, and a powerful message about growing Virginia's economy and creating good-paying jobs.

This campaign is about you, and because we want to be accountable to our supporters, we've prepared another quarterly report documenting how we've invested our resources.

Please take a moment to read our Investor Report.

(This report is a 1.8 MB PDF)

The stakes in this election could not be higher. Bob McDonnell is preaching the same failed economic ideology that Jim Gilmore and George Bush practiced with disastrous results. Those irresponsible policies led us to where we are today - an economy in crisis and rising unemployment. We can't afford to go back to those days.

I've been fighting to elect Democrats in Virginia for two decades. And I can tell you that Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Jim Webb, and Barack Obama won here in Virginia because they brought new people into the process, energized the grassroots, and never let any attack go unanswered. Terry is building that same kind of campaign.

Making smart investments, hiring the right people, and promoting accountability is what Terry has done his whole career - turning around struggling organizations and making them successful. That's the same approach he will take to Richmond, and that's the way he is running this campaign.

Tags: accountability, economy, energy, grassroots, investor report, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unemployment, va-gov, virginia

A swing through Salem, Roanoke and Lynchburg

We spent the past few days talking to folks in Salem, Roanoke and Lynchburg… Places where the unemployment rate is growing by the day. Folks down there are hurting. In all of my stops, I ask how many people have recently lost jobs—I see way too many raised hands. That’s why I’m running for Governor. We’ve got to get Virginia’s economy back on track by creating jobs. I’m tired of seeing the cuts—deep budget cuts that are hitting the bone. And we can’t raise taxes in a down economy. We can secure Virginia’s future by becoming a leader in Green Energy jobs. Virginia can’t afford to let these jobs continue to go to other states. We need a mandatory renewable energy standard. We need to be serious about Green jobs.

Last week I announced a COMPLETE BAN ON PAY DAY LENDING. Predatory loan practices are destroying Virginia families in the most at-risk communities. In Roanoke, I met several families who had lost cars and gotten deep into debt because of these loans that charge over 200% interest a year. I drove down Azalea Avenue in Richmond last week and saw 4 pay day lending shops on one block. It’s got to stop. I want these businesses gone – out of Virginia.

Everywhere I go, I’m so excited to see so many people engaged, asking questions about my plans. In Lynchburg, young people I talked to at Starlight Café had lots of questions about education. That’s another topic I’m passionate about. I want Virginia to have the most educated workforce in the country, and I want college to be affordable and within reach for all Virginia families. That’s why I’ve announced a student loan forgiveness plan for anyone in who’ll give service to the Commonwealth’s most high risk communities. I’m talking about big ideas. You want a governor waking up every day thinking about you and the Commonwealth, and that’s the kind of governor I’ll be.

Tags: college, economy, education, energy, ideas, jobs, lynchburg, macker, mcauliffe, pay day lending, renewable energy, roanoke, salem, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Statement on Moran Campaign's Distortions of McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia

Today, McAuliffe campaign spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith released the following statement regarding the Moran campaign's distortions of McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia:

"It's disappointing that the Moran campaign has chosen to deliberately misrepresent Terry's Business Plan for Virginia, but we welcome the opportunity to clarify this part of his Plan.

"Terry's Plan sets out the ambitious goal of making Virginia a national leader in renewable energy - which means making sure that every part of Virginia benefits. For example, Terry's business plan includes proposals to turn agricultural waste into energy and make sure that rural areas in the commonwealth, especially those hardest hit by the economic downturn, have opportunities to bring in new green jobs.

"One way Virginia's state government can take the lead is by demonstrating foresight in the construction of state facilities. For example, if a new state facility were to be built in a particular region of the state served by mass transit, Terry would work to locate the building near mass transit. However, Terry recognizes that not every city in our Commonwealth has access to mass transportation - and that shouldn't prevent us from locating new state buildings in the areas that are most appropriate to their purpose. If a new facility can and should be sited in an area like Southwest Virginia, where mass transit is not an option, he would support – and encourage - building or leasing there, and holding the building to the highest efficiency standards.

"Terry believes that we don't have to choose energy efficiency or jobs - we can pursue both and ensure that every part of the state sees the benefits. Throughout this campaign, Terry has offered substantive, in-depth ideas for getting Virginia's economy back on track, and we'd be happy to answer any additional questions about this or any other aspect of the Plan."

Tags: economy, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia

McAuliffe Highlights Support for Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Today, meeting with the owner of residential solar energy company Continuum Energy Solutions, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe discussed the need for Virginia to invest in energy efficiency. McAuliffe said he would work for a statewide policy requiring utilities to invest first in cost-effective energy efficiency before pursuing any new power plants.

"In our pursuit to make Virginia the number one green state in the country, we must remember that energy efficiency is the cheapest and easiest way for us to increase our energy independence and build our renewable energy sector," McAuliffe said. "Whether it's harnessing the wind off Virginia's coast or installing solar panels on homes and state buildings, we must encourage businesses and families to adopt clean and efficient energy sources."

McAuliffe 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.

Highlighting the solar panels on Continuum Energy Solutions' owner Kent Baake's home, McAuliffe said he would establish a $100 million Energy Independence Revolving Loan Fund to retrofit homes with more energy efficient equipment and establish a feed-in tariff pilot program for solar-generated electricity to incentivize Virginians to invest in solar technology. The feed-in tariff program would allow homeowners and businesses to sell solar-generated electricity at pre-established rates back to the power company for a total of up to 10 megawatts of new solar energy.

"Increasing our energy efficiency will not only help us meet the increasing demand for energy, but it will also create good jobs right here in Virginia," McAuliffe said.

Tags: energy, energy efficiency, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Visits I-95 Landfill, Discusses Waste-to-Energy Ideas

Standing at the Covanta Fairfax Energy Resource Recovery Complex with representatives from Covanta Energy and the Fairfax County Government, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today discussed his ideas for remaking Virginia's landfills into energy producers. In 2006, Virginia imported 7.2 million tons of municipal solid waste, making it one of the leading importers of out-of-state waste. McAuliffe highlighted how this abundance of waste could be used to generate energy and create green jobs across the Commonwealth.

"Here in Virginia, we have enormous potential to become a national leader in renewable energy technology. But we must look to every corner of the Commonwealth to find the innovative solutions of tomorrow that will meet our energy needs of today," McAuliffe said. "That's why as governor I'll work to forge public-private sector partnerships to transform our landfills from 'dumps' to environmentally sound producers of new, inexpensive power."

McAuliffe called for establishing a task force to create a blueprint for using solid waste and methane gas from landfills produce energy. Chief among its tasks will be to work with companies, local governments, and renewable energy and environmental organizations that are interested in developing safe, reliable, and productive waste-to energy facilities throughout Virginia. Throughout the country, more than 469 biomass plants burn the methane gas generated from landfills. Two new landfill gas-to-energy plants in Lawrenceville and Richmond will, combined, generate 20 megawatts of power - enough electricity to power more than 12,000 homes. In addition to these plants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified another 12 landfill sites in Virginia that are suitable candidates for development of landfill gas-to-energy facilities.

Additionally, McAuliffe highlighted how the combustion of municipal solid waste could be used to generate electricity. Each ton of waste that is processed in a waste-to-energy facility produces about 520 kWh of electricity, avoids the need to import a barrel of oil or mine a quarter-ton of coal, and also avoids the release of nearly one ton of greenhouse gas emissions.

"With the technologies available today and on the horizon, we should set a goal to have a waste to energy facility at every landfill in Virginia within the next decade," McAuliffe said. In 2006, landfill waste-to-energy facilities provided .9% of Virginia's power generation; however, with encouragement from Richmond, this share of energy production could grow, reaping environmental and economic benefits to participating municipalities.

Throughout the first chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which was released last week and focuses on practical energy solutions, McAuliffe consistently emphasizes the range of advantages, both environmental and economic, to be gained from waste-to-energy initiatives as well as other sustainable energy policies. The plan, which includes details on how Virginia can attract green businesses, expand its capacity for renewable energy generation, and use energy more efficiently can be found at www.terrymcauliffe.com/readtheplan.

Tags: business plan, energy, fairfax, landfills, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia

The first chapter

I'm excited to announce that Terry's unveiled the first chapter of his Business Plan to grow Virginia's economy - the most aggressive agenda that's been put forth to make our Commonwealth the number one renewable energy state in the country.

He recorded a short video and I wanted to share it with you.

Tags: announcement, business plan, energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Henry County, Martinsville are Part of McAuliffe Business Plan

March 12, 2009
Martinsville Bulletin
By Debbie Hall

Martinsville and Henry County figure prominently in the first chapter of Terry McAuliffe’s Comprehensive Business Plan for Virginia.

McAuliffe, one of three candidates hoping to snare the Democratic nomination and challenge Republican Bob McDonnell for the governor’s seat in November, said Virginia must become “a leader in renewable energy.”

Thousands of jobs would be created as renewable green projects, such as wind, solar, biodiesel and bio-mass technologies, get under way, McAuliffe said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters.

And, with property already zoned for local industrial parks, Martinsville and Henry County could again become a manufacturing hub, producing wind blades, turbines, towers and other equipment needed as the state goes green, he said.

McAuliffe also supports four-laning U.S. 58 “all the way out to the Ohio Valley” to provide an attractive route for traffic generated by vessels coming to the coast from the Panama Canal.

Martinsville has been hit especially hard in the uncertain economy, McAuliffe said, and he pledged to devote “resources and efforts” to the region if elected.

Martinsville is “one of the areas I talk about in every speech, no matter what area I’m in,” McAuliffe said.

Moran has said that he opposes a coal plant that would be built in Surry County.

McAuliffe, a former Democratic national chairman, said the governor would not make that decision; rather, it will be made by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) and the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

McAuliffe added that he is not opposed to coal-fired energy, providing it employs “the cleanest coal” technology available.

McAuliffe also said he would introduce legislation to increase Virginia’s standard for retail electricity sellers to provide a portion of electricity sold from renewable green sources.

He also supports legislation that would require electric companies to generate 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025, he said.

Virginia should be laying the groundwork to capitalize on the $113 billion provided in the $787 billion economic stimulus package to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy research and development, job training in the growing clean energy economy, transportation, alternative fuels, and electricity transmission infrastructure, McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe’s plan also proposes encouraging cleaner, locally produced electricity by allowing consumers who produce renewable energy to earn credits that would offset their consumption; expand the state’s ability to develop renewable energy projects on state property; develop a statewide ocean management plan to promote wise stewardship of natural resources; and support clean energy technologies and industries by cutting government red tape.

In addition to establishing a Virginia Clean Energy Working Group, McAuliffe would work to build partnerships to develop regional solutions to energy and environmental challenges while creating community groups to provide incentives to homeowners who cannot afford to invest in renewable energy but want to do so.

McAuliffe said he will work with lending institutions to create and market programs to help businesses and consumers invest in energy efficiency. He also pledged to focus on improving the state’s ability to attract and keep green businesses and jobs by implementing sales tax exemptions on the purchase of new commercial and industrial solar, geothermal, and combined heat and power equipment; establishing a rebate for waste-to-energy technologies; and creating a Clean Energy Business Growth and Development Grants Program.

There are a total of six chapters in McAuliffe’s plan, and he expects a chapter will be released each week until the entire plan is public. At that point, McAuliffe said the plan will be put together in print format to be viewed in its entirety.

The plan is the result of ideas gathered from residents around Virginia during eight round-table discussions held in several areas of the state, including Martinsville, and from online suggestions. To learn more about it, visit McAuliffe’s Web site at www.terrymcauliffe.com.

Tags: business plan, economy, energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe reveals business plan for Va.

March 12th, 2009
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
By Tyler Whitley

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe said he would emphasize tax incentives to encourage re newable energy.

His "Business Plan for Virginia," announced yesterday at a news conference in Richmond, would establish a $100 million energy-independence revolving loan fund to retrofit homes with energy efficient equipment and take steps to reduce state government's use of fossil fuels. McAuliffe said the economic decline would force him to phase in the loan fund.

The McLean businessman said he wants to make Virginia a destination for clean-energy businesses and researchers.

Another proposal would offer a financial incentive for new digester gas systems that can be used to convert chicken waste into energy. McAuliffe said there are chicken and turkey farms in the Shenandoah Valley that would be a rich source of such energy.

A former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, McAuliffe is one of three Democrats seeking the nomination to run for governor in a June 9 statewide primary.

McAuliffe said he developed his program after conducting a series of economic roundtables around the state.

He said he could not put a price tag on his plan, which would make wide use of tax incentives, because he could not predict how extensively the incentives would be used.

Answering questions afterward, McAuliffe declined to say whether he would support a coal-fired power plant that Dominion Virginia Power is proposing to build in Surry County. That decision is not up to the governor, he said, adding that energy conservation will lessen the need for more power plants.

McAuliffe said he is not accepting donations from Dominion Virginia Power, although he has talked with its chief officers. But after the news conference, a press aide called reporters to say that McAuliffe had misspoken, and that he has received campaign contributions from Dominion Virginia Power executives, but not the corporate entity or its political action committee.

Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, who is opposing McAuliffe for the nomination, issued a news release accusing McAuliffe of dodging the toughest energy issues facing Virginia.

Moran opposes the Surry plant and opposes drilling for oil or natural gas off the coast of Virginia. McAuliffe said he would allow drilling for natural gas but not for oil.

McAuliffe also said he would like to develop "at least one large wind project" 50 miles offshore. Twenty percent of Virginia's energy needs could be met by utilizing winds off the coast, he said.

McAuliffe said he would push for energy related tax credits to encourage businesses to purchase renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels.

In addition to McAuliffe and Moran, State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County is seeking the nomination.

Tags: business plan, economy, energy, gov-va, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia

Candidate McAuliffe pitches green energy

March 12th, 2009
The Roanoke Times
By Michael Sluss

RICHMOND -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe vowed Wednesday to push to create jobs in renewable energy fields, calling for new incentives to launch and attract companies and a mandatory renewable energy threshold for utility companies.

"It's time for Virginia to be the number one renewable energy state in the country," McAuliffe said at a Richmond campaign stop.

McAuliffe's energy proposals make up the first phase of his "business plan" for Virginia that he will roll out in the coming weeks. His energy plan includes proposals that have been embraced by his two rivals for the Democratic nomination, former state Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria and state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.

McAuliffe said he would require Virginia utilities to produce 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025, matching a pledge that Moran made earlier this year. He also called for tax incentives to encourage businesses to purchase renewable energy equipment such as solar panels. Deeds sponsored legislation on the same issue in the recent General Assembly session, but the proposal died in the Republican-run House of Delegates.

McAuliffe also called for a new incentive for "digestor gas systems" that can be used to convert animal waste into energy and talked enthusiastically about a Virginia Tech scientist's research on the process. McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the state must offer more generous tax incentives to attract "clean-tech" industries.

"They are doing this in other states all over the country," said McAuliffe, who did not put a cost on his proposals. "We need to start doing that here in Virginia. We don't offer the tax incentives that other states offer to bring clean-tech business in."

McAuliffe also said he would create a revolving loan fund to help retrofit homes with energy-efficient equipment. And he pledged to develop at least one large offshore wind project during his term, and said components for turbines potentially could be manufactured in Southwest and Southside Virginia.

Tags: business plan, economy, energy, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Gov. Candidate McAuliffe Shares Vision for Virginia

March 11th, 2009
The Falls Church News-Press
By Nicholas F. Benton

Why does a man running for governor of Virginia want to talk about the Panama Canal? Terry McAuliffe does.

McAuliffe, who brings quasi-rock star status to the heated three-way race for the Democratic nomination to run for governor this year, likes the big picture, likes to look over the top of the backyard fence and to see what's coming, and to focus his considerable energies on making plans. He's running against Former Del. Brian Moran and State Sen. Creigh Deeds in the June Democratic primary.

The Panama Canal is a familiar theme in his discussions with prospective supporters and voters as this tireless 52 year old criss-crosses the vastness that is Virginia in his first-ever run for public office.

You see, there are two new flights of locks now under construction at the Panama Canal, a $5.6 billion project launched in the summer of 2007 and slated for completion in 2015.

When completed, the giant tankers and ships coming to America from the emerging Asian economic powerhouses on the Pacific Rim will not have to port and offload on the West Coast.

They will be able to negotiate the new locks at the Panama Canal and come to the U.S. eastern seaboard, offloading nearer the destinations where more of their cargo will go. The question becomes where they will port.

"Jacksonville is launching a big new port project in response to the new Panama locks," McAuliffe said, flashing his eyes with his usual sense of urgency, talking to the News-Press at his campaign headquarters in Tysons Corner earlier this month.

"Savannah has just moved past Tidewater into second place behind New York as the busiest port on the east coast," he added.

"In Virginia, we need to move fast to improve our port capacity in Tidewater to compete for this new flood of commerce that will come when the Panama project is completed," he concluded.

But there's more. McAuliffe wants Virginia to gain the competitive edge by a massive upgrade of Route 58, the highway that goes west from Tidewater the length of the state just north of the North Carolina border.

Making Route 58 the efficient four-lane conveyor belt that can move the cargo from the port to the nation's north-south interstates and to the Ohio Valley interior heartland will make Tidewater a preferred destination for the supertankers coming through the new Panama. He wants a major distribution center built in Southwest Virginia.

That's McAuliffe's vision, one of them.

He also wants to build high-speed rails linking Northern Virginia and the Washington-Boston corridor to Richmond and Tidewater by, among other things, double-stacking the rails.

"I was told it can't be done except at an exorbitant cost," McAuliffe said. "But I called the head of the railroad and asked him. He had a different story. He said, of course we can do it." The rights-of-way are already there; it's just a matter of laying the track, he said. "I am tired of people saying ‘no.'"

McAuliffe is a super-salesman, which served him well in growing his business fortune, a dynamo that burst out of high school in Syracuse, N.Y. to graduate from D.C.'s Catholic University, then Georgetown University's Law School, and become chairman of the Federal City Bank by age 30.

Mostly, though, he built his reputation as a super-fundraiser for the Democratic Party, including while serving as the chair of the Democratic National Committee from February 2001-2005, with a resume as long as your arm of party positions leading up to that high-profile role.

During his period as party chair, he raised $578 million, and the party came out of debt for the first time in its history.

Criticized by opponents Moran and Deeds for never being involved in Virginia politics the way they have, McAuliffe has resided in McLean for over 20 years, campaigned statewide for the Obama-Biden ticket last year, and earlier used his clout at the top of the Democratic Party to provide huge financial support for Gov. Tim Kaine's run for governor in 2005.

"I saw in the success of Governor (now U.S. Senator-ed.) Mark Warner the ability of Democrats to make big gains in the south and improve our national position," McAuliffe said. "In Tim Kaine, I saw the opportunity to move that agenda forward, so I allocated $5 million in DNC funds to Kaine's campaign," he said. It was the largest-ever disbursement of DNC funds for a non-presidential candidate.

Completing a stint as the manager of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, McAuliffe, a long-time close friend of the Clintons, started seriously considering a run for governor of Virginia last summer.

He spoke to a packed meeting of the Fairfax Democratic Committee in July, and made national headlines when the News-Press broke the story that he endorsed Kaine as his best choice for vice-president on the Obama ticket.

"People thought I was dissing Hillary, but I wasn't," he explained this week. "I was saying what I thought was most possible, as well as desirable." The News-Press was the only newspaper present to report on his remarks.

"Actually, if the Russians hadn't invaded Georgia about that time I think Kaine would have been picked," McAuliffe mused. But the foreign policy challenge caused the Obama campaign to pick Sen. Joe Biden, with his extensive foreign policy experience, instead.

McAuliffe conceded that when he showed up for that July 22 meeting at Oakton High School, he had the idea of running for governor already in his mind. He handed out dozens of free copies of his national best selling book, "What a Party! My Life Among Democrats," at that meeting. He vowed that the Obama campaign would avoid the mistakes of the fated Sen. John Kerry presidential campaign in 2004, when the decision was to avoid direct political combat with George W. Bush.

In November, he filed to form an exploratory committee to run for governor, and officially announced just after the first of the year.

Asked if he decided to run for governor of Virginia because he was "bored and needed something to do," McAuliffe laughed and said, "I am never bored! I am very excited about it, about the ability to grow jobs."

He said his goal is to bring Virginia's standing forward as an economic dynamo providing first-rate jobs and educational opportunity and services for its citizens. He said if elected he'll be pitching the state and its economic potential worldwide, and will be pitching hard in Richmond, if elected, for more resources to offer incentives for business to come to the state.

"For me, it's all about issues, not persons. In Virginia, especially rural Virginia, it's about jobs, jobs, jobs, education and health care," he said. "I need to deliver the tools that government needs to bring new investment to Virginia."

Right now, he said, he's "scared to death" about the economy, which he said is in "the worst shape since the Great Depression."

Asked about Obama's first weeks in office, he was full of praise. "In two weeks, he got through the biggest stimulus package ever. He also got millions of children covered with health insurance. I pray it all works."

He's also focused on alternative fuels, recycling and the environment, and likes to talk about a technology he witnessed in the Shenandoah Valley that can convert 500,000 tons of chicken waste into gas, but can't now get OK'd by the Department of Environmental Quality.

On education, he noted that half of Virginia's prison population are high school dropouts, and the long-term solution is to focus on early education, such that every third grader can read. Incentives must also be found to keep good educators, noting that now 50 percent of teachers leave the profession within their first five years.

"We need a transportation infrastructure and educated workforce to move the state forward," he stressed.

He has five children, ages 6 to 17, and his wife Dorothy is also civically active, among other things serving on the board of the Potomac School.

Tags: business plan, economy, education, energy, environment, highways, macker, mcauliffe, ports, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, 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 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

Weekly Blog Roundup 2/26/09

Welcome to the first installment of the McAuliffe for Governor Weekly Blog Roundup, where we will showcase the best of the blogosphere. Bloggers agree with Terry that we must focus our energy on growing Virginia’s economy and creating good jobs. In this grassroots campaign, Terry is listening to the concerns and ideas of Virginians all across the Commonwealth. We hoped to start a conversation about how to get our economy back on track and here are some of the highlights.

The Operative Word endorsed Terry for Governor today, promoting his ability to create new jobs and making Virginia a leader in renewable energy.

After having a chance over the past couple months to meet all three Democratic candidates for governor I’ve decided that theoperative’s chosen candidate is Terry McAuliffe. I was skeptical until I met the man in person. And he’s a one of those people that is the center of attention in any room he’s in. He has his downside for sure, but he’s the most equipped to lead Virginia in a battle to capitalize on President Obama’s green energy initiatives. He’ll bring new jobs to Virginia. For Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds, both seem like fine gentlemen. But I’m not sure what the justification is for either being governor. Both are fine public servants who have paid their dues. But McAuliffe can put Virginia at a competitive advantage over other states. Moran, Deeds or Bob McDonnell can’t do that.

Lowell at Blue Virginia praises Terry for his comprehensive response to questions made about his stance on the proposed Surry County coal plant and other energy issues.

I'm very happy to see Terry McAuliffe reiterating his call to institute a MANDATORY Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) here in Virginia… In other words, on the energy and environment front, it looks like things are finally (FINALLY!) moving in the right direction after 8 long years of inaction, and I couldn't be happier to see this (anyone out there who STILL believes that elections don't have consequences?!?). Just the fact that Terry McAuliffe felt the need to respond in detail - and so quickly - to a diary challenging him on a Virginia environmental blog speaks volumes.

Eileen Levandoski at VBDems refuted Bill Bolling’s false smears on Terry’s plan to create new jobs in Virginia. She thinks Terry has the right approach to improve Virginia’s economy.

In a recent email tirade, Bolling "expressed" his problem with McAuliffe's ads preaching "Jobs, jobs, jobs"….When McAuliffe is pushing "Jobs, jobs, jobs", he's talking about "green jobs" that are also "good jobs". They will be good jobs - jobs that "highlight the potential of the green economy to forge a new social agenda that lifts Americans out of poverty, improves public health, and strengthens our middle class".

Over at Not Larry Sabato, Terry liveblogged and answered questions from readers. Terry discussed reaching out to the grassroots, explained his positions on issues like the economy, renewable energy, and the smoking ban, and even fielded some questions about his dog and Virginia Tech basketball.

“For the past 30 years, the issues I've been fighting on are not national issues, but issues that affect everyone -- issues like quality health care, education, the environment, and renewable energy…Virginia is facing unprecedented economic challenges. Everywhere I go, people tell me that they want a governor who can create jobs and get our economy going again. I have spent my career starting businesses and creating jobs- I believe this is the experience Virginians want in their next Governor."

Lowell at Blue Virginia summarized where the Democratic candidates for Governor stand on the issue of home foreclosures. Terry is concerned about Virginia’s high rate of foreclosures and wants to tackle bad lending practices.

These days, everyone's talking about the housing foreclosure crisis. Terry McAuliffe says, “…The #1 issue, you have got to keep people in their homes, because ultimately it is what is going to bring our economy back. The second thing we have to do is get these credit windows open.”

At Virginia Tomorrow, Bob Holsworth blogged about the importance of federal economic recovery funding in closing Virginia’s budget gap and growing our economy. Bob McDonnell ought to distance himself from Bobby Jindal’s extreme position of rejecting the recovery aid if he actually wants to grow Virginia’s economy and put people back to work.

This afternoon the Democratic Party of Virginia, a few hours before McDonnell was to address the Republican Governors Association, called on the presumptive GOP nominee “to distance himself from Jindal’s stand and pledge to accept all federal funds coming to Virginia.” The Dems assert that Jindal has left “unemployed Louisianans on the street” and that McDonnell ought to pledge to “put Virginians first.”

Belle Rose at Coarse Cracked Corn questions Bob McDonnell’s claim that he is a “liberal at heart,” when he is really a right-wing extremist who ignores critical investments in job creation and economic growth.

According to an article in the WaPo, Bob McDonnell would have us believe he's really a middle of the road moderate. Don't buy the lie that McDonnell is a liberal at heart - or even close to being a moderate... What strikes me is that McDonnell is endorsing the notion that government should shirk its fundamental responsibilities to the people and the responsibility of sound fiscal management. McDonnell could be like George W. Bush running up the deficit or Jim Gilmore practically running Virginia into bankruptcy.

Thanks for joining us this week -- check back next week for more from the blogosphere!

Tags: bloggers, blogs, economic growth, economy, endorsement, energy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup

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 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.

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

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

Our First TV Ad

I’m excited to announce that we’re launching our first television ad of the campaign. In this 30-second spot, Terry champions some of the ideas he’s heard from folks in Hampton Roads about how to help the region’s economy.

Terry’s heard great ideas from every corner of the Commonwealth during his travels, but too many people in the legislature just aren’t listening. In the coming weeks, we’re going to communicate directly with voters across Virginia about the issues that hit home with them.

Tags: energy, environment, green jobs, hampton roads, mcauliffe, norfolk, terry mcauliffe, virginia

Terry's First Radio Spot

Tags: announcement, energy, jobs, mark warner, terry mcauliffe, tim kaine, virginia

McAuliffe lists jobs as his top priority

Free Lance-Star
DAN TELVOCK
January 11, 2009

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe says he will push for more renewable energy sources and partnerships with the private sector to bring high-speed rail here.

But his main goal, he said, is to create more jobs.

With blue-and-white post-ers proclaiming “New Energy for New Jobs,” McAuliffe touted these ideas and his business acumen to about 25 people who gathered for a town-hall-style meeting yesterday at Caroline Street Cafe in Fredericksburg.

McAuliffe started a driveway paving business when he was 14, and at age 30 he helped a bank on the verge of liquidation turn a profit. He saved a construction company from bankruptcy. He lifted the Democratic National Committee out of debt.

McAuliffe said the state needs to bid on what he called “mega-project deals,” like the $5 billion investment BMW made in South Carolina. He said he wants to increase the state’s Opportunity Fund, which stands at $20 million, hardly enough to compete for big business.

“Job creation. That is something I have done my whole life,” he said.

He wants a mandatory renewable energy standard for Virginia. He will support the creation of bio-diesel plants, so farmers can get paid for the half-million tons of chicken waste produced in Virginia every year. By 2012, he wants power companies to produce 12 percent of their energy from renewable sources.

McAuliffe said several private firms have interest in building high-speed rail connecting Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.

“We should do it as a public-private partnership,” he said.

Virginia’s Democrats are preparing for their first contested primary since 1985. McAuliffe, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and Del. Brian Moran will vie for the party’s nomination.

Possibly the biggest threat McAuliffe poses to his challengers is his ability to raise money. A former DNC chairman with strong ties to the Clinton family, he helped raise almost a billion dollars for the Clintons and the DNC over 18 years. He chaired Hillary Clinton’s bid for the presidential nomination and worked with Bill Clinton during his presidency.

History shows he’ll have an uphill climb if he wins the nomination. Since 1976, Virginia has elected a governor of the party opposite to that of the president. Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell is expected to win the Republican nomination.

McAuliffe wouldn’t speculate on how much money he will need to win.

“If you have big, bold ideas, you don’t need money; people are going to vote for you on the ideas,” he said.

Tags: bob mcdonnell, brian moran, creigh deeds, democratic national committee, economy, energy, jobs, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe

McAuliffe to donate his salary

Martinsville Bulletin
Sunday, January 11, 2009

Terry McAuliffe is one of three Democrats vying for the opportunity to be the next governor of Virginia and so far, he the only candidate who has vowed not to accept a salary.

McAuliffe said he will donate his salary to charity and he would like to see it used to help build gymnasiums at high schools, perhaps in Martinsville.

Stumping in the Henry County-Martinsville area Friday morning, McAuliffe told about 25 people at the town hall style meeting at the Dutch Inn that physical exercise is important to overall well-being.

He added that he learned “a lot of life’s lessons,” such as teamwork and cooperation, through his involvement in sports.

Online sources estimate the governor of Virginia earns about $125,000 per year.

Democrats Sen. Creigh Deeds and Del. Brian Moran also are seeking the party’s nomination to run against Republican Bob McDonnell in the November election.

McAuliffe, a McLean Democrat, describes himself as “passionate” about what he believes.

He has used voter input gathered while traveling extensively throughout Virginia and attending town hall meetings around the state — both now and during President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign, to pinpoint three priorities: education, transportation and job creation.

Voters “are very anxious and very worried,” mainly about jobs and the economy, he said. He added that figures released Friday indicated 11 million people in the U.S. are unemployed.

However, many remain hopeful because they “know the best days are ahead of us,” McAuliffe said.

Job creation is key to stimulating the economy, he said.

“We have to create jobs,” McAuliffe said, and vowed that if elected, “I will create more jobs than all 49 governors” in the United States.

The jobs will pay well and industry locating here will remain, McAuliffe said. To do that, he would target renewable energy companies, auto manufacturers producing “green” (energy efficient) vehicles and others with an eye on southside and southwest areas of the state for companies that need larger parcels of land.

McAuliffe said he would negotiate with those firms and others to get them to locate to Virginia. “I have never negotiated a bad deal,” he added.

He first flexed his job creation muscles at age 14 when he started a business tarring driveways to help pay for his college education.

He also has experience in the management of financial institutions and was selected chairman of a struggling community bank on the verge of liquidation. McAuliffe said he was 30 at the time and the youngest bank chairman.

He turned that business around and later took on the challenge of saving “a large home building company” from bankruptcy, he said.

A businessman and entrepreneur, McAuliffe admits “there are tough times ahead of us” and relatively few options for traditional thinkers — continue to make cuts or raise taxes.

With the state budget already “cut to the bone,” as he put it, McAuliffe favors neither. He said he would bring a different approach with “out of the box” thinking that will lead to job creation and would target several areas, including renewable energy.

Virginia should be taking the lead in the developing renewable energy sector, he said. But “why aren’t we?” he asked.

Currently, 26 states have mandatory renewable energy standards, but Virginia is not among them, he said.

Billions of tons of chicken “litter,” or waste, is generated on farms, and farmers must pay to dispose of it, McAuliffe said. However, bio-diesel firms could convert that waste into energy in what would be a win/win/win solution for farmers, power generation companies and the environment, he said.

McAuliffe also supports pre-kindergarten education, smaller class sizes, public/private partnerships to build schools, and raising teacher pay to attract and retain teachers.

Funding for the New College Institute must continue, McAuliffe said, adding that school boards and others must learn to work together to save money and avoid duplication of services.

“Honest discussions” will equal progress with respect to transportation, McAuliffe said. He also supports a “high speed rail” through a public/private partnership to provide mass transit to urban centers.

Completion of U.S. 58 and continuing work on Interstate 73 are top priorities, he said.

Both are necessary to position Virginia for the 2014 opening of the third lock of the Panama Canal, McAuliffe said. Some states, such as Georgia, already are developing and putting transportation pieces in place to capitalize on that project, McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe, who also has served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said he will infuse funds into Democratic campaigns in Virginia to ensure like-minded Democrats are in office if he wins the governor’s seat.

He and his wife, Dorothy, live with their five children in Fairfax County.

Tags: barack obama, brian moran, creigh deeds, economy, energy, jobs, martinsville bulletin, mcauliffe, terry mcauliffe

Kyle Blankenship of Virginia Beach asks about a green energy plan

Kyle Blankenship of Virginia Beach asks: Virginia has always been a state of firsts. Can we be the first state with a true plan for green energy in the next 10 years?

Absolutely, Kyle. We not only can, we must – if we don’t plan now for a green energy future, we’ll never get there. What’s more, we’ll give up valuable opportunities to take the lead in green technology and grow Virginia’s economy. 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.

We need a plan that takes into account not only green energy sources, but conservation to reduce carbon emissions, improve our air quality, keep our waterways clean, and reduce global warming. President-elect Obama is planning to focus on this issue, and Virginia needs to partner with the federal government, the private sector, and our colleges and universities to create the change we need.

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 a Governor who will plan boldly and make things happen. If I decide to run and am elected, I’m not going to be shy about this, because I’m not going to let Virginia fall behind and I hate watching opportunities slide by.

Tags: economy, energy, environment, global warming, jobs, terry mcauliffe, virginia