Lynchburg Voters League, Virginia Democratic Activists Endorse McAuliffe for Governor

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was today endorsed by the Lynchburg Voters League, a historically African American organization focused on voters' rights. Citing McAuliffe's grassroots campaign and his record or working to involve new and diverse groups in the electoral process, the group named McAuliffe the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party and beat Bob McDonnell in November.

"We have been incredibly impressed by Terry's grassroots focus and his serious effort to listen to and involved Virginians in his campaign," said Rev. Dr. James E. Coleman, Jr., Vice President of the Lynchburg Voters League. "That focus on grassroots campaigning was what put Barack Obama in the White House last November, and a grassroots campaign is the only option for Democrats this year if we want to keep our state blue. Terry is the only candidate with a statewide organization and the only candidate the can beat Bob McDonnell."

Also today, nearly 20 Democratic activists from across the Commonwealth, including Young Democrats, local officials, and Obama volunteers, offered their endorsement of McAuliffe.

"Over the last several elections, I have watched Virginia turn blue, and I have seen all the hard work that Democrats young and old have put into making that happen," said Norfolk City Council Member Daun Hester. "This year, we have to make sure that we don't cede those gains. Virginian families need a common-sense Democratic governor now more than ever. We've got to get Virginia's economy back on track and ensure that we aren't leaving any Virginians behind."

The full list of those endorsing follows below.

Andy Cerillo - Secretary, Sully District Democrats
Ariel Gonzalez - Alexandria Young Democrats, Executive Board Member
Kevin Bailey - Alexandria Young Democrats, Executive Board Member
Gabe Morgan - Sheriff, Newport News
Alexander Palmer - Vice President, Norfolk Area Young Democrats
Curt Hazel - Parlimentarian, Newport News Democratic Committee
Nancy McPherson - Activist Member, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Andrea James - Executive Board Member, Alexandria Young Democrats
Adam Osterman - Executive Board Member, Alexandria Young Democrats
Patrick Austin - Former Obama Field Organizer, Norfolk
Wally Cotten - Former Chair, Suffolk Veterans & Military Families for Obama
Jen Little - Member, Mathews County School Board and DPVA Central Committee, 1st CD
Tony Barney - Sterling District Chair, Loudoun County Democratic Committee and 10th CDDC Member
Andrea Lyons - Activist Young Democrat, Chesterfield
Marrett Ceo - Vice President, Loudoun County Young Democrats
Rebecca Grandi - Former Chair, Virginia Beach Democratic Committee
Lovely Lall - Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Balls Bluff Precinct Captain
Daun Hester - City Council Member and Former Vice Mayor, Norfolk

Tags: democrats, endorsement, endorsements, grassroots, lynchburg voters league, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, young democrats

Great News

I've got some great news, and it's all thanks to your hard work. Some new polling shows we've got the lead, and today we're releasing a new TV ad to help keep our momentum going. But with just two weeks to go until Election Day, our opponents are ratcheting up the attacks, and we're counting on your help to pull us over the finish line.

Boots on the Ground

Turnout will be the deciding factor in this election, and we need your help. Since the beginning of this campaign, we've succeeded in bringing new people into our political process because people like you have been pounding the pavement -- knocking doors, making phone calls, and empowering voters to make their voices heard. Just yesterday the Associated Press noted that, "Political observers suggest a low primary turnout would benefit Moran or Deeds, while a larger turnout would help McAuliffe, who is trying to attract new voters as Obama did."

But the Moran campaign thinks our strategy is all for nothing. After going around for months claiming that the grassroots was the key to victory, the Washington Post reported this morning that Moran's strategists "view that kind of operation as a waste of resources on voters unlikely to come out for a June primary."

That's right -- the Moran campaign is taking a shot at you and all the hard work you've been doing for months. This is our chance to prove them wrong. We've got the infrastructure -- 14 field offices across the Commonwealth, and 50 of the best field organizers in politics. But we need your help to power the operation - making phone calls and knocking on doors so we can get our voters to the polls. And if you're one of the first 200 people to sign up and volunteer your time between now and the election, we'll give you a rally sign autographed by Terry McAuliffe.

The single most important thing you can do to help this effort is to come into one of our offices. But there are other opportunities to get involved too - even from your home.

Click Here to Volunteer and Get an Autographed Rally Sign.

Polls, Polls, Polls

Three new polls came out at the end of last week, and they all show us with a very solid lead. DailyKos founder and best-selling author Markos Moulitsas observed that "McAuliffe has managed to move his favorability numbers forward despite an increasingly negative primary." As voters take a tough look at each of the candidates, Terry's vision for growing the economy and creating jobs is clearly resonating.

But we've still got a lot of work to do. Public Policy Polling's Dean Debnam says, "This race is still really up for grabs…There are still lots of undecideds and lots of voters open to changing their minds."

That's why we need your help now more than ever. The attacks on Terry have already started, and you ain't seen nothing yet. VCU Professor Bob Holsworth noted that, "With McAuliffe ahead in all of the public polls, attempting to bring him down has become a matter of some urgency to the other campaigns." And Brian Moran's chief strategist has pledged to do precisely that.

Terry's taken a different approach. He's sticking to the issues, staying positive, and saving his criticism for Bob McDonnell. But in order for that strategy to work, we need your help.

New TV Ad

Today, we're also unveiling our newest television ad - a 30 second spot that focuses on the importance of investing in early childhood education. I wanted to make sure you see it first.

Thanks to you, I couldn't be more proud of the campaign we're running. But right now we're getting attacked from all sides. Both of our opponents are on the air, and we need the resources to respond to their attacks, communicate Terry's positive message of job creation, and bring our people to the polls.

Click here to make a contribution to fully fund our efforts to reach voters and respond to attacks. There are only two weeks left!

Let's keep the pedal to the metal until Election Day on June 9th.

P.S. If you're not going to able to make it to the polls on June 9th, make sure to cast an absentee ballot. Click here to get more information.

Tags: ads, brian moran, education, grassroots, macker, mcauliffe, moran, organization, polling, polls, supporters, t-mac, teachers, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Terry McAuliffe makes his case

Richmond-Times Dispatch
May 10, 2009
By Terry McAuliffe

Across the commonwealth, folks are worried about jobs, about our energy future, about the quality of their children's education, and the value of their homes. We've been lucky here in Virginia -- we've had two great governors in Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and they have worked hard to put Virginia in a place to weather the economic downturn much better than other states. But our next governor is still going to have some serious economic challenges to address, and that's why I'm running for governor: I believe I have the right experience and the best vision to get our economy moving again.

For nearly 20 years, Virginia's been my home. My wife, Dorothy, and I are raising five children, and I want to make sure Virginia continues to be a great place for them to find opportunities when they're adults. That's what I want for all of Virginia's families.

With continued economic uncertainty ahead, Virginians know that the next few years are going to be tough, and they want Virginia's next governor to build on the great legacy of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine: governors who brought business and executive experience to Richmond, but who also know that not every good idea comes out of the legislature in Richmond. Virginians want another governor who knows that it's not about politics; it's about results.

I started my first business when I was 14, paving driveways so I could pay for college. Since then, I've built successful companies and helped turn around struggling ones -- learning firsthand what it takes to create good jobs and balance a budget.

When it comes to fixing our economy, there's no such thing as a Republican job or a Democratic job; it's about bringing people together to create good jobs. That's the kind of leadership I believe in, and that's what it's going to take to get our economy moving forward again and to build on the progress we've made over the past seven years.

I believe that in government, just like in business, you need a plan to succeed. I've unveiled my business plan, a detailed plan with strategies to move Virginia forward and bring jobs back to the commonwealth. It is a roadmap to making Virginia a leader in the green economy, making Virginia a more attractive place for businesses with the most future growth potential and supporting our existing businesses, making sure our families can afford the necessities of a good life, investing in human capital so that Virginia families can hold good jobs with good wages and good benefits, and improving our state's transportation infrastructure.

Each chapter addresses a different strategy we must pursue in building Virginia's economy, but 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 Virginia.

As governor, I'll wake up every day using my experience as a businessman and an executive to get our economy back on track so we can start investing in education and health care again.

I'll make it my job to protect your job, to grow the economy, and to make Virginia a leader in renewable energy. I'll focus on long-term transportation solutions, and work to give our children the best education so they have a chance to pursue the American dream right here in Virginia.

I'm the only candidate in this race who has created thousands of jobs. I'm the only candidate who brings the same kind of business and executive leadership that Mark Warner and Tim Kaine brought to the job. I'm the only candidate who hasn't been part of the partisan bickering in Richmond. And I'm the only candidate who has a comprehensive business plan that incorporates the ideas of people all over the commonwealth.

But this campaign isn't about me. It's about you. That's why we've built a grassroots campaign to get more people invested in our efforts for the future. That's why we need more like-minded people in the House of Delegates to help us get these things done. I'm proud that our campaign has over 3,000 volunteers and 14 field offices open across the commonwealth. Because at the end of the day, I want a campaign and an administration that includes people from all over Virginia.

Joining together has never been more important. We are facing great challenges here in Virginia and we need a governor who can rev up the economy. Vote for me on June 9th and we'll be one step closer to getting Virginia headed in the right direction.

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

Virginia Democrats Endorse Terry McAuliffe for Governor

Today, more than two dozen Democratic leaders from Loudoun and across the Commonwealth endorsed Terry McAuliffe for Governor, citing his strong grassroots campaign and his ideas for getting the economy back on track.

"Over the past eight years, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have shown what Democrats can accomplish in Virginia," said Bob Moses, Loudoun County Democrats Vice Chair. "Now, as we work through these difficult times, we're going to need another leader who can infuse new ideas into Richmond and get our economy back on track. Not only does Terry have the experience to lead us, he has the energy to put ideas into action. I saw that energy just this past weekend at the Loudoun Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, and I look forward to seeing that energy behind the governor's desk."

Added Loudoun County Young Democrats President Robert Latham, "As a Young Democrat, I know that Virginians of my generation are looking for someone who will help them to get an education in Virginia, find a job in Virginia, build a home in Virginia, and raise a family here. We are looking for a governor who is going to make this Commonwealth the most opportunity-friendly state in the country, so that we can feel confident building our futures here. Terry McAuliffe will be that governor."

A full list of those endorsing today follows:

Bob Moses - Vice Chair, Loudoun County Democrats
Ellen Heald - Vice Chair, Loudoun County Democrats
Erinn Beckner - Communication and Events Chair, Loudoun County Young Democrats
Eula Tate - Old Mill Precinct Captain, Sully District Democrats
Mari Anne Bowen - Co-Chair, Dulles District, Loudon County Democratic Committee
Mary Lee Cerillo - Chair of the Sully District Democrats, Fairfax County Democratic Committee and national delegate for Obama
Pravin Gandhi - Chair, Broad Run District, Loudoun County Democratic Committee
Robert Latham - President of Loudoun County Young Democrats
Emily Blakemore - Campaign and Party Coordinator for the University Democrats at the University of Virginia
Gordon A. Koerner - Democratic Committeeman, Nelson County
Lena Witek - Development Coordinator for the University Democrats at the University of Virginia
Bob Dotzler - Vice Chair, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Bob Rawls - President of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues
Brandon Carr - Vice President of the Regent University Young Democrats
Heather Carr - President of the Regent University Young Democrats
Letitia Edwards - Treasurer, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Linda Dagley - Vice Chair, Norfolk Democratic Committee, 89th District
Pat Okerlund - Chair, Chesapeake for Change
Ron Henderson - Chair of Isle of Wight Committee
Annie Giles - Richmond Community Activist
Otis Mallory - President, Clopton-Broadrock Civic Association
Devontae Green - President, Hampton Young Democrats
Dottie Holtz - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member
Carol Shrader - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member
Stephanie Welch - Former Organizer, Norfolk Veterans & Military Families for Obama

Tags: democratic leaders, democrats, endorsements, grassroots, loudoun, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, young democrats

Join President Clinton and me

I am excited to announce that the man who created more jobs than any other President in US history is coming to Virginia.

President Bill Clinton will be campaigning with me across the Commonwealth next week, and we want to be there with you -- the committed activists helping me build the biggest grassroots campaign infrastructure that Virginia's ever seen in a gubernatorial race.

Enter today and you could win a front row seat to one of the biggest and best political events in Virginia this year. You'll get to hang with us at the event, and we'll take a great photo so you can prove to all your friends that you were there.

Click here to enter today, and it could be you.

Opportunities like this are such an important way to say thank you for all the hard work and tireless support you've given this campaign.

People are focused on jobs, and I don't think anyone has more credibility to talk about job creation than President Clinton. Working together, I know that we can follow the lead of all of those who have gone before us - Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and yes, President Clinton - to create jobs and put our state and our nation back on a strong economic footing. You're a huge part of that process.

I want a committed member of our grassroots community to join President Clinton and me next week. We'll take a great photo together. Click here to enter today, and it could be you.

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, grassroots, jobs, mcauliffe, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

50 Days

We've got just 50 days until the election, and I wanted to update you about two major events in the past week.

Yesterday marked the first official debate of the campaign - and Terry clearly proved why he's the strongest candidate to grow the economy as our next governor.

The truth is that any of our three Democratic candidates would make a far better governor than Bob McDonnell. But Terry distinguished himself by how he'll confront our challenges. Terry's the only candidate who'll bring executive experience to the governor's office. As an entrepreneur with over 13 years experience running large organizations, Terry's created thousands of jobs. He's released by far the most comprehensive Business Plan to move Virginia forward - detailing exactly how he'll get the job done. That's the kind of leadership we need to turn the economy around.

Terry focused on solutions for the future, not the legislative fights of the past. Just like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Terry knows that not all good ideas come from Richmond. And that fresh approach allows him to bring people together and get things done. There are four more debates to come, so stay tuned.

The other major event from last week was Shad Planking. Every year, Virginians come together in Wakefield to enjoy fish, beer, and politics, celebrating the start of the campaign season. Our massive grassroots operation was out in full force. While the other two Democratic candidates chose to sit on the sidelines for the annual sign war, we took the fight to Bob McDonnell, and I wanted to share a video of the work we did.

Click Here to Watch Our Operation in Action at Shad Planking.

As the Daily Press reported the day of the event, "A wealth of signs is a show of strength that displays a campaign's hustle and resources." And from the moment the press arrived in Wakefield, it was clear who the victor was. As MSNBC reported, Terry "easily won the sign war at Shad Planking."

But even as we pulled our field staff from every corner of the Commonwealth in order to help with the effort, our dedicated volunteers managed to keep all 10 of our offices open and running. Filling over 200 shifts, our volunteers called more than 11,000 voters while the paid staff was away.

We continue to bring new people into the political process every day - and that's exactly how we'll win the nomination and beat Bob McDonnell in November. But we need your help to make it happen. Let's keep the momentum going these next 50 days.

Tags: debate, grassroots, gubernatorial debate, macker, mcauliffe, shad planking, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, wakefield

Surrounded by water

Terry just launched his newest television ad of this campaign and I wanted to share it with you. In this 30-second spot, Terry talks about his commitment to making our Commonwealth the leader in wind and other renewable energy technology - and he even does it on a boat, off the coast of Virginia Beach, surrounded by miles of water in every direction.


With only 52 days until the primary on June 9th, we need your help to spread Terry's message of creating good-paying jobs and growing our economy. So after you've watched the ad, please find your local field office and join our grassroots campaign today!


Tags: economy, grassroots, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, television ad, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia beach

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

Virginia Democratic Leaders Endorse McAuliffe for Governor

Today, over a dozen community activists and leaders from across Virginia announced their support for Terry McAuliffe's campaign for governor, citing his strong grassroots campaign and his ideas for getting Virginia's economy back on track.

"I'm supporting Terry because I believe he is the candidate best able to carry on the Warner-Kaine tradition of Democratic leadership," said Walter Fore, Retired President of the Central Virginia Labor Council and Former President of the Lynchburg Voters League. "Terry has the right experience to get the job done as governor and grow our economy. He knows that not all good ideas come from Richmond, and he has already demonstrated his commitment to listening to Virginians from every corner of the Commonwealth. He won't just be a good governor; he will be our partner in moving Virginia forward."

"Throughout his career, Terry McAuliffe has worked hard to make sure that more people than ever have access to the American Dream," added Richmond disability advocate Monica Wiley. "As governor of Virginia, he will create the kind of high-quality jobs and educational opportunities that will help to make that dream a reality for all Virginians."

A full list of those endorsing today follows:
Gerald Cheatham - Lynchburg Community Activist
Thelma Combs - Lynchburg Community Activist
Dr. James E. Coleman, Jr. - Lynchburg Community Activist
Cheryl Glass - Lynchburg Community Activist
Damon Thomas - Lynchburg Community Activist
Walter Fore - Retired Pres. of Central Virginia Labor Council and Former Pres. of Lynchburg Voters League
Julia Fore - Lynchburg Community Activist
Clyde T. Clark Sr. - Former Chair Central Virginia Community College Board, Lynchburg
Yvonne Ferguson - Lynchburg Community Activist
Bo Driskill - Chairman Emeritus of Lynchburg Democratic Committee
Chris Graham - Waynesboro Democratic Committee, Chair
George Schwartz - Stafford Board of Supervisors
Chairman Monica Wiley - Disability Community Advocate, Richmond
Bishop Rudolph Lewis – Virginia Beach
Bishop Samuel Green – Newport News

Tags: economy, endorsements, grassroots, lynchburg, macker, mcauliffe, newport news, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia beach

Weekly Blog Roundup 4/10/09

This week, bloggers had a lot to talk about regarding the Virginia gubernatorial race. Blogs included praise for Terry's grassroots campaign support, regional offices, the next part of his comprehensive Business Plan and fundraising abilities, as well as reactions to Republicans' rejection of economic recovery funds that would have helped Virginia's workers.

Lowell at Blue Virginia reported on the strength of Terry’s campaign, after he rolled out the first three chapters of his comprehensive Business Plan, raised over $4.2 million in the last three months, and is building statewide grassroots support.

I think that Terry McAuliffe just took this campaign to a new level. No wonder why Republicans are most afraid of him! For comparison's sake, Tim Kaine raised an impressive $2.6 million in 1Q05. As impressive as that was, it's actually $1.6 million less than Terry McAuliffe raised in 1Q09. And remember, back in 2005 the economy was booming, while today we're in the severe Republican Recession. That just makes McAuliffe's fundraising totals even more eye popping. All I can say is, Bob McDonnell's got to be praying right now that Terry McAuliffe is not the Democratic nominee this year.

Josh Chernila also reported on Terry’s fundraising and grassroots support at his new blog, The Daily Dogwood.

I endorsed the McAuliffe campaign because, in addition to bold positions on jobs, energy and the environment, this campaign is firing on all pistons and avoiding the vicious negativity of the Moran campaign. Good stuff.

In a diary on DailyKos, alankrishnan was appalled at the Virginia Republicans’ rejection of $125 million in economic stimulus funds that would have helped improve unemployment benefits for Virginians.

Bob McDonnell's opposition to the $125 million economic recovery money, (which would alleviate some of the problems of unemployment in Virginia) is just another indication that he will deviate and move away from the path made by Warner and Kaine….Terry McAuliffe held a Press Conference on Thursday 4/9/2009 which was very well attended by several members of the Press. This is a clear indication of public interest on employment related topics, and perhaps the rationale of why the Federal funding had been refused.

At Blue Commonwealth, teacherken discussed the amount of offices and staff that each of the candidates has throughout the commonwealth.

At the "opening" of his Arlington-Alexandria headquarter in Old Town this past week, McAuliffe said they now had 11 offices opened. Another was "opened" in Loudoun the following day, with Dorothy McAuliffe being the headliner. That gives him offices in McLean, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Loudoun, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Hampton, Fredericksburg, Alexandria and Loudoun…. offices give a focal point for local attention, a place from which canvassing can be more easily organized. And after both the primary season and the general election, we know the impact having many local offices made on behalf of Obama.

On his blog Dem Bones, Drew praised Terry for the third part of his comprehensive business plan for Virginia, highlighting a ban on pay-day lenders.

In general, the plan offers McAuliffe's positions on health care, education, and retirement savings. But the very last thing McAuliffe offers is a plan to ban pay-day lenders in the state…I have not decided who I am going to vote for this primary (I have my leanings), but I do like that McAuliffe is offering business plans which positively affect the Southside and, like me, he wants to end the predatory practice of pay-day lenders.

At Blue Commonwealth, Teddy Goodson reported on the Democratic campaigns speaking to members of The Brigades, a grassroots activist group in Virginia. Terry’s wife, Dorothy, was there to talk about the campaign and Terry’s experience and ideas for Virginia.

When she and Terry arrived in the Washington area several years ago, they chose to live in Virginia as the best place to raise a family, and, five children later, it is clear Terry really cares about Virginia. She described his extensive business background beginning with a driveway re-surfacing company in his teens through rescuing a community bank in the 1980's to fund raising for the DNC....In this economic downturn McAuliffe's business experience as a successful executive is crucial---- the Governor's job is an executive one, not a legislative one, after all. His whole career in the Democratic Party shows his concern for social justice. We cannot raise taxes, so we must grow revenues some other way, and he intends to use his business experience to create jobs by growing the economy, utilizing the research from Virginia's universities. Terry's approach also includes continued round tables and town hall meetings to get citizen input. Government cannot do it all, Richmond does not have all the answers, and Terry always asks "how can we do it better."

At Blue Virginia, Lowell responded to Terry's first-quarter investor report, in which he shares with his supporters how he has invested in the resources he has built up through fundraising.

The report covers McAuliffe's "comprehensive business plan for Virginia," his "first-rate organization" (including field offices and organizers throughout the state), endorsements, new media, paid media, African-American outreach, and finance...You can read the entire report here and learn why Terry McAuliffe gives Democrats our best shot at beating Bob McDonnell, of winning back the House of Delegates, and of preventing Republicans from moving us backwards here in the Commonwealth.

Tags: bloggers, blogs, business plan, economy, fundraising, grassroots, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, weekly blog roundup

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

McAuliffe Raises Over $4.2 Million in First Fundraising Quarter

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe's campaign announced that he raised over $4.2 million in the three month period from January 1 to March 31 and has nearly $2.5 million cash on hand. After rolling out the first three chapters of his comprehensive Business Plan for Virginia and building a statewide grassroots operation, McAuliffe's broad financial support highlights why he is the candidate best positioned to run against Republican Bob McDonnell in November.

"We are thrilled with the grassroots and fundraising support we have received over the last few months," McAuliffe campaign manager Mike Henry said. "Virginians are looking for a governor who will continue the Warner-Kaine tradition of leadership and bring both business and executive experience to Richmond. Terry's decades of experience creating jobs and turning around struggling businesses, as well as his detailed plans to get Virginia's economy back on track, have resonated with Virginia voters."

After raising nearly $1 million from Virginia donors in 6 weeks during the previous fundraising period, McAuliffe has now raised a total of approximately $5.2 million from over 3,440 contributors.

Tags: business plan, economy, fundraising, grassroots, grassroots support, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Takes A Chapter From Obama Playbook In Governor Bid

April 6, 2009
The Washington Post
Tim Craig

RICHMOND — Terry McAuliffe was stung when Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, which he oversaw, fell to Barack Obama last year. But over the course of the campaign, it appears he took careful notes.

Now, as McAuliffe finds himself in a hard-fought race for governor of Virginia, he is employing many of the same tactics that his opponent used successfully just a year earlier. He is reaching out to new voters, exploiting new technology and casting himself as a fresh-faced outsider. He is not taking any region for granted, is targeting African Americans and is swarming communities with paid organizers. It all bears a surprising likeness to the strategies Obama used so effectively in 2008.

In his matchup against Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds for the Democratic nomination, McAuliffe is even replicating Obama's use of a one-word campaign theme. For Obama, it was "change." McAuliffe's mantra is "jobs," a word he says over and over.

To some degree, what McAuliffe is doing is what any modern campaign does: adopting and expanding on the latest innovations.

"All the social media, organizing and Internet fundraising that Obama did is becoming standard in campaigns, and I think in the Virginia race, McAuliffe has probably done it better than anybody," said Jennifer E. Duffy, editor of the Cook Political report.

But McAuliffe's use of the tools that undid the Clinton campaign carries a special irony, given that it was only weeks between when he fell prey to these tactics and adopted them himself.

"I would think if anybody could learn what Hillary did wrong, it's Terry," said Michael Mohler, president of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Association, which recently endorsed McAuliffe.

McAuliffe has been reluctant to acknowledge the similarities between his effort and Obama's. When asked about it in a recent interview, McAuliffe initially said he didn't learn anything from the Obama campaign. Then he clarified his response by noting that he has worked on Democratic campaigns since his early 20s.

"I have a unique perspective, because I have been at the highest levels of campaigns for a lot of years," the former Democratic National Committee chairman explained. "I've learned from winning campaigns. I've learned from losing campaigns."

From the earliest hours of his unexpected bid for Virginia's highest office, McAuliffe began adopting the ideas of his former rival. He had his supporters sign up so they would be "the first to know" by text message when he officially entered the race in January. Obama employed the same device last summer to collect hundreds of thousands of cellphone numbers and e-mail addresses by having supporters sign up to be alerted about his choice of a running mate.

During the Democratic primaries in February 2008, Obama made headlines by airing an ad during the Super Bowl in more than a dozen states. McAuliffe followed suit during this year's Super Bowl, buying a 30-second spot in the Hampton Roads market at the end of the third quarter.

There's even an echo of Obama's iconic logo in the one selected by McAuliffe. Obama used a rising sun. McAuliffe's is the shape of Virginia filled with sunshinelike rays.

Herb Smith, an Obama organizer from Falls Church who volunteers for Moran, said he found the echoes in McAuliffe's campaign "peculiar," given how McAuliffe "campaigned against the guy so hard for two years."

"It makes you sit back and laugh," Smith said.

Duffy said successful national presidential campaigns are incubators for political techniques. It just so happens, she said, that Virginia's governor's race is the first big contest in which candidates have the opportunity to emulate the Obama campaign.

"I think this is the future, and I think McAuliffe and the people around him had a lot of exposure to it last year," Duffy said.

McAuliffe wasn't the only one who had exposure to Obama's tactics. Mike Henry, McAuliffe's campaign manager, served as Clinton's deputy campaign manager during the first half of last year's primaries and caucuses.

"The thing I took away from '08 is: You've got to bring new people into the process," said Henry, who managed Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner's campaign after he left the Clinton campaign in February 2008 amid a staff shake-up. "You've got to make sure you build an organization that can compete for votes in every region."

During the fall general election, Obama helped secure a win in Virginia by opening 50 offices and deploying more than 200 staffers throughout the state. This year, McAuliffe is the candidate with the most offices and the largest staff. He has opened 10 offices and hired almost 100 paid staffers, including several dozen former Obama staffers.

Mo Elleithee, a senior strategist for McAuliffe who served as one of Clinton's chief spokesmen during last year's presidential campaign, said all good campaigns borrow ideas. But he and Henry stress that a candidate has to have his own message and his own strategy.

"Tactically, you want to learn the lesson of what went right and what went wrong when it comes to building a campaign . . . and then determine how do you marry that with Terry and his background and his vision and his message," Elleithee said.

The merging of the old with the new is evident in McAuliffe's campaign message.

Last year, Obama pledged not to accept campaign contributions from political action committees or lobbyists. McAuliffe is not making a blanket pledge to refuse money from lobbyists or PACs. But he has said he won't accept corporate campaign contributions from any company receiving federal bailout money.

The promise fits into McAuliffe's strategy of running as a Richmond outsider, despite his reputation for being a Washington insider. And it mirrors Obama's efforts to position himself as the Washington outsider, even though he was a sitting U.S. senator.

McAuliffe also appears to have learned from Obama's demeanor on the campaign trail. During most of the primaries, Obama vowed not to go negative against Clinton. This year, that vow belongs to McAuliffe, who has pledged to run a relentlessly positive campaign.

Tags: grassroots, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, supporters, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

First to File

Yesterday in Richmond, Terry was the first candidate to submit petitions to run for governor. Arriving before any other candidate at noon, the earliest time to submit petitions, Terry once again showed the grassroots organization and powerful support behind his campaign.

After months of building the largest grassroots campaign in Virginia gubernatorial history, Terry submitted 17,243 signatures, well over the 10,000 needed to qualify. Terry's field organizers recruited volunteers to gather signatures and lay the groundwork for a successful field operation. With a little more than two months to go before primary election day, we look forward to continuing a strong Democratic campaign with help from volunteers and supporters like you.

Check out the video below of Terry handing over his boxes of signatures in Richmond.

Tags: 2009, gov-va, governor 2009, grassroots, macker, mcauliffe, petitions, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, virginia

The Driving Force

Because of you, we scored a big victory at Gerry Connolly's St. Patrick's Day Straw Poll this week. With the first contested Democratic gubernatorial primary fight in decades and all three candidates speaking, the stakes couldn't have been higher.

By the end of the night, the Washington Post reported that Terry "overwhelmingly won" and observed that, "McAuliffe outshined his rivals in both organization and spirit at the event." Dr. Bob Holsworth, one of Virginia's preeminent political pundits, noted that we brought new people into the process in order to win the straw poll - and that's what this campaign is all about. In addition to praising our mobilization efforts, Holsworth noted that, "McAuliffe and his campaign exult and excel in the 'theatre of politics,' more so than any Democrat since Doug Wilder."

Tuesday was a powerful testament to the strength of our grassroots support and a nice boost for our campaign. The National Journal noted that, "Connolly's event could be a key early indicator of who the faithful believe might win the day come June."

The press also picked up on our use of new technology to get our message out, observing that we

handed green carnations to supporters [Tuesday] night and urged them to hold onto the flowers until notified via text how to proceed. At 8:26 p.m., before the final count was announced, a message crossed phones and Blackberries gripped by the faithful:

"Please give your carnation to a Moran or Deeds supporter and tell them that come November, we all need to keep Virginia blue together."

[National Journal, 3-18-09]

At the end of day, we must work together to elect our nominee the 71st Governor of Virginia. As Democrats, beating Bob McDonnell has to be our focus and goal. The stakes are too high for us to be divided.

There are only 82 days until Election Day on June 9th. The polls will be open from 6 AM to 7 PM. Remember, you are the driving force behind this campaign. Thanks so much for all your help on Tuesday. Let's keep it up.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, grassroots, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, straw poll, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia

Organizers

This page is being updated and is temporarily unavailable. Please check back soon.

Tags: campaign offices, field organizers, grassroots, mcauliffe, offices, organizers, terry mcauliife, virginia 2009, virginia governor