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 Unveils Plan to Increase Accountability and Transparency

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today unveiled his plan to strengthen transparency and accountability in state government and the private sector. McAuliffe proposed a ban on all lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and the executive branch, strengthening transparency by making our state budget more accessible and easy to understand, as well as fostering corporate accountability by strengthening ethics programs.

"As we work to grow our economy and create jobs across the Commonwealth, we must lead by example and demonstrate to taxpayers that their money is being spent fairly and wisely," McAuliffe said. "That's why I've pledged not to take any corporate contributions from companies or their corporate PACs receiving taxpayer-funded TARP money and to donate my salary as governor."

McAuliffe's accountability plan includes the following provisions:

Lobbyist Gift ban. In Virginia, there is no limit on the amount or types of gifts or trips that lobbyists can give to lawmakers or the executive branch. The only rule is that they must disclose gifts over a certain amount. This proposal would ban all gifts and trips from lobbyists to lawmakers and members of the executive branch.

Establish a Sunshine Website. This website would post campaign contribution information on a state-run website. All information required by state law from candidates would be posted. Additionally, the website would bring together information on campaign contributions to lawmakers and sponsored legislation. Virginians would be able to click on a legislator's name and view links to the bills that he or she sponsored in a given session as well as a link to major campaign contributors.

State budget as an online, searchable document. In order to encourage transparency, our state budget should be posted online in a format that is easy to search so that citizens can more easily understand how tax dollars are being spent. The budget is currently posted online, but is not in a user-friendly format. Creating a searchable document will allow citizens to keep track more directly of where their taxpayer dollars are being spent.

Database of government contracts. To encourage further transparency in government, an online database should be established so that taxpayers can see what contracts are held with the private sector. This database should also be searchable.

Strengthen ethics courses. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia calls for creation and expansion of entrepreneurship programs at our institutions of higher education, including community colleges. As part of this renewed focus on entrepreneurship programs, ethics programs must be evaluated and, where necessary, strengthened to enforce the importance of ethics in business management.

Encourage good corporate citizenship. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia builds on existing incentives and creates new ones to encourage businesses to start, expand, and flourish in Virginia. As governor, McAuliffe will ensure that all incentives given from the state are tied to strict claw-back provisions and other measures to make sure that companies receiving taxpayer dollars act in an appropriate and ethical fashion. Performance measures must be set and companies will be held accountable for commitments they make regarding job creation and investment.

Tags: 2009, accountability, ethics, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transparency, virginia, virginia governor