Scott: Yes, I voted for terry McAuliffe

The Washington Post
June 7, 2009
By Rosalind Helderman

There's been a lot of talk in recent days about whether Rep. Bobby Scott has actually endorsed Terry McAuliffe, since he's featured prominently in a McAuliffe mailer.

Here's an answer, straight from the Congressman's lips: "I haven't made a formal endorsement, but I voted on Saturday," he said in an interview. "Yes, I voted for Terry McAuliffe."

Scott said he was attracted to McAuliffe's promise to create new jobs, his interest in energy policy and his plans to bolster early childhood education.

"He's run a very aggressive race," Scott said. "The fact that he's doing as well as he's doing is a testament to the strength of his campaign."

Tags: bobby scott, macker, mcauliffe, scott, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Ads Highlighting State Newspapers' Endorsements

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a series of ads highlighting endorsements and coverage from newspapers throughout Virginia. The ads, which will air on radio and television, contain clips from the Richmond Voice, The Richmond Free Press, The New Journal & Guide, The Washington Post and NPR which highlight Terry's experience and why he's the best candidate to beat Bob McDonnell in November.

"Virginia's newspapers agree: Terry McAuliffe is the one Democrat who can win in November," the announcer states in the ad.

The ads, called "Strongest," will run on stations in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, TriCities, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk and Richmond. Links to the ads and scripts are below:

Television Ads:

http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/strongest-northern-virginia

http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/strongest-richmond

http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/strongest-roanoke

Radio Ad:

http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/ads/radio-ad-touts-terrys-endorsements

Tags: ads, macker, mcauliffe, newspapers, radio ads, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ads, va-gov, virginia

Strongest

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

Governor Rendell Releases Video in Support of McAuliffe

This afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell released a video discussing his support for gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. Rendell announced his support for McAuliffe this morning, citing his expereience creating jobs and his plan for getting Virginia's economy back on track.

Governor Rendell's video can also be found here.

Tags: business, business plan, economy, ed rendell, endorsement, endorsements, governor, mcauliffe, rendell, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

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

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 Visits Eateries, Talking About Jobs

The Free Lance-Star
June 4, 2009
By Chelyen Davis

Terry McAuliffe may be the first candidate for governor to ask Grady Spades to lift his shirt.

Spades, who works at Jack Brown's Tattoo Revival and has a number of tattoos, was at the bar in Sammy T's downtown restaurant yesterday when McAuliffe came in to do some campaigning.

"Did that hurt?" McAuliffe asked, pointing to the tattoos on Spades' arms. "You got the back, too? Stomach?"

Within a minute, McAuliffe had Spades raising his shirt to show off the tattoos.

He ended by pressing stickers and brochures into Spades' hands, arguing that even though Spades lives in Maryland, he could be a billboard for McAuliffe.

"I'm running for governor. I need your help, brother," McAuliffe said. "Jobs!"

McAuliffe, one of the three Democrats running for that party's nomination for governor in next week's primary, was in town to do some campaigning among the lunch crowds in Caroline Street restaurants.

He shook hands, sat down briefly with diners, questioned a banker about the solvency of his bank (just fine, the banker said), petted a dog, cajoled a potato chip off a 3-year-old, pressed leaflets and stickers into hands, and extracted promises of support.

For most people in restaurants or on the street or, in the case of one couple, passing by in a horse-drawn carriage, McAuliffe kept it simple.

"I need your help, brother," he kept saying. "June 9th." "Jobs."

McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman and fundraiser, has made jobs his top issue, promising that he will do everything in his power, if elected, to bring more jobs and bigger companies to Virginia.

It was a promise that had particular relevance at the GM plant later in the afternoon, where McAuliffe met with employees who just this week learned they'll be losing their jobs when the plant closes in 18 months.

"I'm sorry about what's happened," McAuliffe told workers there. "I'll create some opportunities, I promise you You don't know what you're going to be doing, you don't know what your retirement's going to be. That's no the way we should be treating people. My heart goes out to everybody in this room."

McAuliffe should be the dark horse in this race, the outsider--he has never run for office in the state before--running against two longtime state legislators for the nomination.

Former Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds were campaigning for months, years really, before McAuliffe jumped in the race.

But McAuliffe says voters are responding to the idea of a candidate who's an outsider in Richmond. He has raised more money than either one of them. Polls show the three of them running very close, and in a tight primary--where turnout is expected to be very low--every vote really could count.

"I've been out every day," McAuliffe said. "The key is identifying your voters and getting them out."

McAuliffe said he's "not paying attention to any of the polls."

"What I am paying attention to is building the greatest grassroots organization," he said. "Only one poll matters, on June 9."

So McAuliffe left virtually no hand unshaken along a block of Caroline Street, rattling through the important issues--a mandatory energy policy in the state, renewable energy sources and standards, and jobs, jobs, jobs.

He didn't bore potential voters with the details, telling them he has a six-part, 135-page detailed plan online. Then he'd hand them a brochure with his Web site listed and be off to the next handshake.

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

Taking on the Special Interests

Just like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Terry isn’t a product of the legislature in Richmond, and as governor, he’s going to shake things up and make the changes necessary to get our economy moving.

He’ll ban all gifts from lobbyists and completely shut down the payday lending industry. He’s refused to take any campaign contributions from companies that have received federal bailout funds, and he won’t take a penny from Dominion Power until they support his mandatory 25% renewable energy standard -- so we can create the good-paying, green jobs of the future.

On the campaign trail, Terry’s taken the lead on these issues. As governor, he’ll do what it takes to change business-as-usual in Richmond.

Learn more:

Shutting Down the Payday Lending Industry

After traveling across Virginia and seeing how predatory lenders prey on the most vulnerable in our state, Terry came out for a total ban on payday lenders in Virginia.

Now, the payday lending industry itself is attacking Terry. On the industry’s blog, Payday Pundit, they tell readers to “get involved” and fight back against Terry’s criticisms of the industry. In an article entitled, “You can tell a lot about a candidate by the enemies he makes,” Richmond-Times Dispatch reporter Jeff Schapiro dug deeper:

Terry McAuliffe, running for the Democratic nomination for governor, wants to run payday lenders out of Virginia.

Not so fast, says the high-cost, instant-loan industry.

The Community Financial Services Association, a trade group for the nation's biggest payday lenders, is using its blog, http://www.paydaypundit.org, to mobilize its troops against McAuliffe.

McAuliffe, in Richmond today for a meet-and-greet with more than 40 staffers and volunteers, hinted that lenders have offered to contribute money to his campaign, but that he's not interested.

"The audacity of these people," said McAuliffe.

McAuliffe wants to give the boot to car-title lenders, too. His beef with the fringe-credit business: That it profits at the expense of the poor and uneducated.

Payday and car-title lenders counter that they're offering a service for which there is a demand, particularly from people who can't get credit.

Virginia has been a battleground for payday lenders for several years. The lenders have been in the state since 2002-when a Democratic governor, Mark Warner, signed legislation approved by a Republican-controlled General Assembly-and this year have been hit by recession and new regulations.

They've combined to drive down the number of money stores in the state by about 20 percent. But lenders are finding a way around the latest restrictions, offering other loans that can be more lucrative because they carry higher fees.

[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6-2-09]

Putting the Pressure on Dominion Power

Terry believes that Virginia ought to have a strategy to increase use of renewable energy. We know that we can’t continue to rely on traditional sources of energy. We should be increasing state support for the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Not only will this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also create thousands of new jobs across Virginia.

But the only way we’re going to succeed in getting a larger share of our energy from renewable sources is if we can pressure the leading energy producers to go along.

Terry pledged not to take a dime in corporate or corporate PAC contributions from Dominion Power until they agree to a mandatory 25% renewable energy standard in Virginia, so we can bring green jobs and new investment to the Commonwealth. That stance has only emboldened Dominion’s resolve to defeat Terry. This week, the Washington Post reported that:

“Both Deeds and Moran received money from Dominion Virginia Power's political action committee. Deeds' $5,000 came the day after he criticized McAuliffe about his pledge to refuse campaign contributions from one of the most influential companies in the state. Moran's $10,000 came after he stated in interviews that he had taken less money his opponents.”

[The Washington Post, 6/2/09, ]

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters strongly endorsed Terry because they know that to protect Virginia’s environment, “the dynamics of government in Virginia need to change dramatically… our Board is convinced that Terry McAuliffe has the broad vision and the contacts and requisite skills to meet challenges directly.”

A Ban on Lobbyist Gifts

Terry has called for banning gifts and trips from lobbyists to legislators and executive branch officials -- because our elected officials should be accountable to the people.

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

Earlier this year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch examined some of the problems with the current system:

Official vetting of reports for accuracy is almost nonexistent. And there is little risk of punishment for rules-breakers. Lobbyists, for example, face an initial penalty of only $50 for filing late. As for lawmakers, it's up to their colleagues to mete out punishment, if any, for spotty or erroneous reports.

The resulting records -- they're available to the public through the secretary of the commonwealth and the House and Senate clerks, and online at the Virginia Public Access Project -- provide an incomplete accounting of the impact of interest-group money on elective officials. Last year, more than $20 million was spent influencing the assembly.

Disclosure standards vary from state to state, and no matter how tight the rules may be, watchdog groups worry they're ultimately insufficient to diminish the influence of gifts, trips, tickets to sports events, and other freebies. The solution, these organizations say, is a ban similar to one enacted by Congress in 2007 that prohibits lobbyists from buying even a sandwich for a member.

"Whether it's $50, $500 or $5,000, it's still a lobbyist giving a gift to a lawmaker -- and it doesn't look good," said Massie Ritsch of the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics.

[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/22/09]

No Campaign Contributions From Companies Getting Federal Bailout Money

After the controversy over the AIG taxpayer funded bonuses erupted, Terry McAuliffe made a bold pledge: he promised not to take any campaign contribution from companies receiving federal bailout funds. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.

That pledge has already prompted one of Terry’s opponents to return the contributions he'd accepted from banks receiving federal bailout funds.

Bob McDonnell, on the other hand, has not refused to return the contributions he’s taken from companies receiving federal bailout funds.

Just as Terry’s stood up to special interests, he’s also shown he’ll take the fight to Bob McDonnell. Check out his petition below:

Bob McDonnell just doesn't get it. He opposed using federal stimulus money to help Virginia families in need. But he doesn't have any problems dumping your tax dollars into his campaign's bank account.

It's just shameful.

When Bob and his Republican friends rejected $125 million in federal help for Virginians who lost their jobs, his campaign had already taken thousands of dollars from companies that took federal bailout money. That's right -- your tax dollars are going from bailed out companies right into Bob McDonnell's campaign coffers.

It's time for Bob McDonnell to step up. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.

Tell Bob McDonnell to return the contributions from companies that received federal bailout money.

When the news broke about the millions of taxpayer-funded bonuses going to AIG executives, Bob McDonnell's own campaign said they "should offend every taxpayer." I agree.

But it is every bit as offensive for companies like Citigroup - which participated in some of the worst excess that triggered this financial crisis - to use the money they're getting from the federal government to make contributions to political candidates. And Bob McDonnell's taken the cash with open arms.

For his campaign to go around lecturing about the sanctity of taxpayer money -- while at the same time using it to fund its own political operation - is the height of hypocrisy. And I've had enough of it.

Tell Bob McDonnell to return any contributions he's received from companies that were bailed out by the federal government -- and to pledge not to take their money for the rest of the campaign.

Thanks,

Terry

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

McAuliffe Endorsed by Governor Ed Rendell

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was endorsed today by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. Governor Rendell, who has created new jobs and championed higher wages for Pennsylvania's working families, cited McAuliffe's forward-looking Business Plan for Virginia as he announced his endorsement.

"Terry McAuliffe has the skills and the experience to be a great leader in Virginia," said Rendell. "Terry has an unparalleled ability to get things done and the executive record to prove it. Over the course of his career as an entrepreneur, Terry has created thousands of jobs, and over the course of his political life he has advocated for millions of working families. His Business Plan for Virginia lays out an excellent blue print to guide Virginia through these perilous economic times and open up new opportunities for Virginia families. He will be an asset to every Virginian in Richmond."

"I am honored to have earned Governor Rendell's endorsement," said McAuliffe. "As governor, I will put my executive experience to work for the people of Virginia. My Business Plan brings together the best ideas I have for getting this state back on track with the best ideas from across them Commonwealth. I look forward to turning those ideas into reality."

Governor Rendell's endorsement closely follows the endorsement of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer this morning. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia can be found at http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/businessplan.

Tags: business, business plan, economy, ed rendell, endorsement, endorsements, governor, mcauliffe, rendell, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Endorsed by Governor Brian Schweitzer

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was endorsed today by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, who joined McAuliffe on the campaign trail. At a stop in Arlington this morning where they greeted voters, Governor Schweitzer cited McAuliffe's long history as an entrepreneur and his record of creating jobs.

"As a businessman myself, I know that Terry's experience creating thousands of jobs and building successful businesses means he has the experience to get Virginia's economy moving again," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "I know what it takes to be a successful governor. In Montana we have created more new jobs at the highest wages and built the largest surpluses in the history of the state. I am confident under Terry's leadership Virginia will see those kinds of results."

"I am honored to have Governor Schweitzer's endorsement," said McAuliffe. "His accomplishments in Montana are outstanding, and I look forward to working with Governor Schweitzer and other governors across the country, swapping ideas, and building opportunities for our citizens, if I am elected governor."

Governor Schweitzer and McAuliffe also planned to make stops in Richmond and Charlottesville later in the day. Governor Schweitzer's endorsement is the latest in a series of endorsements that have included prominent newspapers, unions, elected officials, and Democratic activists. Each of these endorsers have noted that McAuliffe is the best candidate to defeat Bob McDonnell this fall and the best candidate to get Virginia's economy back on track.

Tags: brian schweitzer, business, business plan, economy, endorsement, endorsements, governor, mcauliffe, schweitzer, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

The latest news

We've got just 4 days to go, and things couldn't be moving quicker. Wednesday night, Politico teamed up with ABC News, Google and YouTube to broadcast a joint-candidate forum on statewide television. We released a new response ad this week, there's been a flurry of new polling, and we're gearing up for the final Get-Out-the-Vote push.

It All Comes Down to GOTV

The Washington Post said it best: "Figuring out which ones will come to the polls and how to reach them could, more than any other factor, determine the victor on election day." That's why we've invested in one of the most sophisticated field operations that a Virginia political race has ever seen. But our ability to put our plan into action depends on you.

We've got 14 offices spread all across the Commonwealth -- and we urgently need your help to make them overflow with volunteers.

For months we've worked to bring new voters into the process and re-engage all those folks who first got involved with President Obama's historic campaign last November. In short, we've identified our voters. But we've got to the hit the phones, knock the doors, and realize the potential to make our voices heard on Election Day.

The best thing you can do is come down to one of our offices, but there are other opportunities to help out - even from your home. So don't waste a minute. Terry's autographed an additional 100 rally signs for the first people to come in and donate their time. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer, please do so immediately.

Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer.

Candidate Forum

Wednesday night, voters across the Commonwealth tuned in to see a joint-candidate forum sponsored by YouTube, Politico, Google and ABC. And as with all of the joint-appearances, Terry once again demonstrated why he's the candidate with the focus, discipline, and resolve to bring good-paying jobs to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I've been in Virginia politics for an awfully long time, and one thing I've learned is that governing is prioritizing. There's no time to be all things to all people. You need to know what you want to do, and have a plan to get it done. That's exactly what Terry brings to the table.

No moment from the forum was more telling than when James from Arlington asked the three candidates the one thing they'd like to be remembered for after serving as governor for four years. We've posted that clip on our website, and I wanted to share it with you.

This morning, Terry is receiving the endorsement of Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana. As a popular two-term Governor, Governor Schweitzer knows that Terry has the right experience to get Virginia's economy moving again.

Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post wrote that the endorsement "sends a message that not only does Schweitzer think McAuliffe will win next Tuesday 's primary (otherwise, why fly in from Montana to stand with a potential loser) but also that McAuliffe represents the best chance for Democrats to keep the seat in the fall election."

Polls

A few weeks back, the National Journal's Amy Walter hit the nail on the head when she wrote that, "Any public polling on this race should be taken with a very big grain of salt. After all, no one has any idea just how 'likely' these 'likely voters' will be." But since so many of you have written in asking about one poll or another, I want to make sure you're all aware of the large disparity in the polls that are out there. They're all over the map, but Terry McAuliffe is the only candidate with a lead outside the margin of error in any of the various polls that have been released.

On Tuesday, Public Policy Polling showed the race was a dead heat.

Wednesday, Survey USA gave Terry a significant, 6-point lead over Creigh Deeds, and a 9-point lead over Brian Moran.

The truth is that the only poll that matters is the one this upcoming Tuesday. That's why we're focusing on two things - getting out the vote, and making our closing arguments for why Terry's the candidate best equipped to create jobs and grow Virginia's economy.

New Ads

For weeks, our opponents have hurled personal attacks at Terry in the mail, and on radio and TV. So as we come down the home stretch, we've got a dual focus for our paid media strategy. We released a new response ad that's airing in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets designed to counter the attacks we've seen. And in our final spot, Terry makes his closing argument for why we need big ideas to shake things up in Richmond.

P.S. Terry is holding a primary election night celebration at The Westin Arlington Gateway at 801 N. Glebe Road. If you're in the area, stop by at 7:15pm and celebrate with Terry!

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

McAuliffe Consoles, Campaigns at GM Plant

June 3rd, 2009
The Washington Post
Rosalind Helderman

From the annals of smart campaigning... Terry McAuliffe made a stop this afternoon at the GM plant in Fredericksburg that the company announced Monday it is shuttering as part of its bankruptcy filing.

Not a bad move for the candidate who has made job creation the centerpiece of his run for the governor's mansion. McAuliffe took a tour of the plant, which is scheduled to close in 2010, as a guest of local UAW leaders and Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Chairman Henry "Hap" Connors Jr, whose endorsed his campaign.

Melvin Carter, the local union political coordinator, said he'd welcome any of the candidates--he said he's invited everyone "all the way up to the White House" to visit the plant--but only McAuliffe had so far reached out to make it happen. The plant once employed 300--now only 68 people work at the mostly quiet factory that manufacturers torque converter clutch plants.

"It's good to know he's interested," Carter said. "You know what they always say, contact your congressman or senator. Well..."

McAuliffe spent more than an hour at the plant, safety goggles on his face, ear plugs in his ears, bright orange vest over his shirt, eagerly examining the massive machinery on the factory floor and talking to workers who run it. Cocking his head to listen over the noise of the machines, he occasionally pulled out a notebooks and jotted down notes.

Many of the workers at the plant have been working for GM for decades. Some are eligible to retire, but others are just a few years shy.

"If you work somewhere for 25 years and then it closes up on you, it feels pretty bad," said worker James Holsworth.

After his tour, McAuliffe addressed a small group of workers at an afternoon team meeting in a break room off the factory floor. He told the group he would bring new alternative energy jobs to Virginia that would replace the jobs lost at the GM plant and other factory closings.

"All I can tell you is that if I get in as governor, I promise you I'll create some jobs. I'll give you some opportunities--I promise you. I've done it my whole live," he said. "My heart goes out to everyone. I'm sorry this had to happen to you."

The workers questioned McAuliffe about education and health care. Then, one woman asked the key question: "Do you have a General Motors car?"

"Two," McAuliffe answered, his first words that broad broad smiles to pretty gloomy faces.

"Three," piped up an aide, reminding McAuliffe of his Escalade.

"I have three, excuse me," he said. "I've had one since 1990, but I bought two hybrids. You bet. Two new ones."

Brian Moran, meanwhile, spent the day on a series of campaign stops through the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia, including greeting voters at the VRE train station in Fredericksburg and touring a community health center in Prince William. At the health center, he met with board members and learned how federal stimulus money saved the center from having to close its doors.

Creigh Deeds, meanwhile, will be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball game at Harbor Park in Norfolk.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, gm, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

VETERANS' VISION Endorses McAuliffe for Governor

Today, VETERANS' VISION released the following statement endorsing Terry McAuliffe for Governor:

"The Electoral Board of the VETERANS' VISION publication announced their endorsement of Terry McAuliffe for Governor of Virginia earlier today. Citing an ongoing commitment to military veterans, Mr. McAuliffe was commended for his vision to put over 100,000 of Virginia's unemployed veterans back to work.

"Chad Lego, spokesman for the VETERANS' VISION and an Iraq War veteran, said, "Terry McAuliffe will be a champion for American veterans in the Governors' office. Veterans in Virginia face an 11% unemployment rate and Terry has shown he has the vision, creativity and energy to lead the Commonwealth of Virginia and meet the many challenges that lie ahead for troops returning back home from Iraq and Afghanistan."

"MAJ Brian Hampton, USAR (ret), Publisher of the VETERANS' VISION, reminded his readers that "Mr. McAuliffe has been on the frontlines fighting against the most anti-veteran policies over the past ten years including drastic cuts to Veterans Affairs funding, cuts to Veterans' health care, increased costs of prescription drugs for veterans, increased Veterans' Enrollment Fees and the closing or partially closing of eleven VA hospitals at a time when 400,000 veterans were still waiting 6 to 12 months just to get an appointment! "

"Terry McAuliffe and his wife Dorothy have lived in Virginia for nearly 20 years and reside in Fairfax County with their five children. He created his first business at the age of 14 and, at the age of 30, he was elected Chairman of a struggling community bank, and he turned it around. As Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005, he dramatically improved grassroots outreach with supporters, got the Party out of debt, and invested in new technology.

"Since 1993, the VETERANS' VISION has harnessed the power of the media on behalf of American veterans, by keeping the elected officials "feet to the fire". Every two years, the most carefully read portion of the publication is the section of 90 or so endorsements of elected officials for federal office.

"Featuring articles of interest to veterans and non-veterans alike, the publication focuses the experience and dedication of veterans and leaders of the country on the challenges facing the nation.

"For over 15 years, complementary copies of the publication have been distributed to every Congressional office on the Hill, the White House, Executive Cabinet offices, the Pentagon and military installations. Tens of thousands of the publication were physically handed out to Delegates at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. The VETERANS' VISION is distributed in 26 major metropolitan areas across the country at grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail locations."

Tags: endorsement, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, military, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, veterans, veterans' vision, virginia

McAuliffe for Governor (Richmond Voice)

Richmond Voice
June 3, 2009

Virginia's next governor should be able to truthfully tell Virginians that he is doing everything he can to help them navigate these troubled economic waters.

Only three of the four men running to be governor can be trusted to tell the truth on the issue. They include State Sen. Creigh Deeds, former Del. Brian Moran and former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe. All three are Democrats whose final face off for the governorship will take place during Tuesday's Democratic primary. The victor will go on to face the Republican nominee for governor, former Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

The VOICE editorial team met with Sen. Deeds and McAuliffe recently, and we like both their plans for bringing jobs for Virginia, focusing on green economy and energy renewability, sprucing up Virginia's education system and public transportation as well as ensuring that our teachers have incentives to stay put, among other things.

While we believe that all three Democratic candidates will do a better job than McDonnell, we are confident that McAuliffe is the strongest candidate to beat McDonnell in November. In addition, we know that he will continue laying the groundwork for sensible spending and fairness that fellow Democrats, Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, have laid in Virginia over the last eight years.

Job creation is the biggest issue of this time and McAuliffe's campaign, highlighting his background as a successful businessman, has framed it shrewdly from the outset. "I started my first business at 14," says McAuliffe in one of the many ads his campaign has aired since he entered the race in January.

His approach of mixing politics and business may rub some the wrong way, but it makes him a stronger candidate who understands how to use the numerous connections he has to move forward. We are all opportunistic in one way or another and there's nothing wrong with electing an opportunist who can help Virginia continue to move forward.

We like McAuliffe's conviction that once a Virginian has served his/her imposed time of prison/probation/parole or jail he/she should automatically regain lost voting rights.

...

McAuliffe...give[s] us the best opportunity to defeat McDonnell...who [is] stuck in the extreme right of the Republican Party, which continues to alienate millions of moderate Americans with its divisive ideology.

...

It is our hope that on June 10, all Democrats will come together and work in concert to defeat the Republican ticket.

Tags: endorsement, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, richmond voice, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

"One"

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

Ministers Endorse McAuliffe

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was joined at a press conference this morning by area ministers in Hampton as they discussed their support for his campaign. Citing his commitment to Virginia families and Virginia values, good jobs and a good salary for every hardworking Virginia, a quality education for every Virginia child, and protecting those who are vulnerable with policies, such as a proposed ban on predatory lending, that set him apart from every other candidate, the group offered their enthusiastic support of McAuliffe's candidacy.

"The job that Terry's involved in, he gives it all his heart, and that's what we need here in Virginia," said Bishop Rudolph Lewis. "That's why I've been supporting him because I feel the same way about reaching out and touching people. The people that I believe he helps most are the people that we are trying to help."

Over the course of his campaign, McAuliffe has outlined a comprehensive business plan for getting Virginia's economy back on track and helping families to build a better future. McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia addresses the growing number of individuals who find themselves out of work, unable to afford their mortgage, or worried about paying for their children's education. That Business Plan outlines proposals to attract new jobs to the Commonwealth through a series of incentives and increases to the Governor's Opportunity Fund. McAuliffe has also put forth plans to encourage small, women, and minority entrepreneurs to create their own businesses, and to help those businesses thrive. Through proposals like the Scholars for Service program, McAuliffe would work to ensure that every student has the opportunity to access a high-quality education.

In addition to supporting career and educational opportunities, McAuliffe is the only candidate in the race to have proposed a ban on predatory lenders. McAuliffe has also pledged to institute new programs to help make small loans affordable, and to assist families in improving their financial literacy. When disaster strikes, McAuliffe will ensure that families have access to low-interest loans to help pay for health care, and will create a Commonwealth-funded revolving loan program to assist low-income homebuyers.

The ministers' endorsement follows closely the formation of Small Business Owners for Terry and their endorsement on Monday. The full list of those in attendance follows below:

Rev. Joseph Garrett
Rev. Charles Pauling
Bishop Samuel Green, Jr.
Bishop Rudolph Lewis
Rev. Browlee Hailstock
Rev. Christopher Carter
Rev. Michael Silver
Rev. Simon Richardson
Rev. Kevin Swann
Rev. Dwight Riddick
Rev. Ronald Harris
Rev. S. L. Cutler
Iman Asadi Muhammed
Rev. Robert Nixon
Rev. Jose Florres
Rev. Charles Beard
Father Harold Cobb
Rev. Brenda McDonald
Rev. Robert Chandler
Rev. Purcell Roberts

Tags: business plan, economy, education, endorsement, endorsements, families, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, ministers, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Ad Highlighting Business Plan and Big Ideas

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement highlighting some of the main tenets of his business plan and his commitment to big ideas for Virginia's future.

"With Virginia families hurting, we need new ideas in Richmond. As Governor, I'll make Virginia a leader in renewable energy and create good jobs," McAuliffe says in the ad. "Some are afraid to think big, but President Kennedy didn't say we're going half way to the moon, he said we're going all the way. On June 9th I'd be honored to have your vote because are challenges our too big to think small."

The ad "Moon" will run on stations in the Tri-Cities, Richmond, Roanoke and Norfolk media markets. This is the campaign's 7th ad. It can be viewed here: http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/moon.

Tags: business, business plan, ideas, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, richmond, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Profile of Terry on WAMU

WAMU ran this story on Terry's grassroots campaign and bold ideas to get Virginia's economy moving again.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, radio, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, wamu

Governor hopeful: Jobs best fix for Va.

June 1st, 2009
Northern Virginia Daily
Garren Shipley

Opponents may call Terry McAuliffe many things, but "inconsistent" and "lethargic" aren't among them.

The former Democratic National Committee chairman turned gubernatorial candidate made the rounds of Virginia this past week, hammering on the same theme he's been on since December.

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

McAuliffe, a latecomer to the race, has focused on economic issues since he began his "listening tour" last year.

McAuliffe faces former Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, in an open June 9 Democratic primary.

Job creation is the best possible fix for most of Richmond's significant ills, including the state's road system, McAuliffe said in an interview.

"I want to focus on job creation because we need money for transportation and education," he said.

President Clinton's former uber-fundraiser has a long list of things he wants to accomplish in the Executive Mansion.

"I have a lot of big plans," he said, including higher spending on K-12 education and more money for pre-kindergarten programs.

McAuliffe would also allow any individual or business to buy their way into the state's low-income health benefits program, FAMIS.

He also wants to spend more on transportation to be sure the state can draw down matching federal transportation dollars.

Paying for it all will be a challenge, though.

"First and foremost, we've got a horrible economy. We just found out we've got to cut another $250 million" from the state budget due to faltering tax receipts, he said.

"I don't believe in raising taxes in a down economy," he said. That means the state has to grow its tax receipts, he said.

McAuliffe said he thinks that, given the right tools, he can talk those jobs into Virginia.

"The House of Delegates has not given the governor any new tools, any economic incentives," he said.

Other states have set up funds and bonding authority for governors to use to lure jobs into their states.

"I'll spend money to make money any day of the week," he said.

Virginia also needs to "green up" its energy policies to encourage growth.

"We're one of the few states that doesn't offer any sort of tax incentive for people to put solar panels on their roof," he said. "Tennessee just announced a billion-dollar investment for a company to begin producing crystals for solar panels."

Requiring utilities to get a fixed percentage of their power from things like solar or wind turbines would encourage job growth, he said.

Putting Democrats in control of the legislature in November would make it much easier to accomplish his goals, he said.

Even if Republicans maintain control of the House, they will still be willing to work with McAuliffe to create jobs, he said.

"That's not a Democrat or a Republican issue," he said. "Maybe I'm nuts, but I don't think they're all going to vote against that."

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

McAuliffe Statement on the Nomination of Bob McDonnell

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe this morning released the following statement on the official nomination of Bob McDonnell as the Republican candidate for governor:

"I want to congratulate Bob McDonnell on formally becoming the Republican nominee today. If I have the honor of becoming the Democratic nominee, I look forward to talking about the differences in our records - I am the only candidate for governor with experience creating thousands of jobs, the only one who hasn't been mired in the partisan bickering in Richmond, and the only one who will bring the same executive style leadership that Governors Warner and Kaine brought to the office.

"I'm proud of my experience and my record, but this weekend, Bob McDonnell, surrounded by Mitt Romney, Sean Hannity, and other Republicans has tried to reinvent his. They've all tried to hide his long divisive ideological record, and portray him as someone who now is a moderate.

"What they didn't tell Virginians is that Bob McDonnell has a partisan, right wing agenda. Whether it was his vote against Mark Warner's budget reform, his efforts to stymie Tim Kaine's transportation reform, or his opposition to accepting $125 million of Virginians' federal tax dollars that would have helped thousands of Virginia families, Bob McDonnell has shown that he is more interested in playing partisan political games than getting things done for Virginia.

"In the fall there is a clear choice: a governor who is in line with the progressive agendas of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Or someone who will turn back the gains made over the past eight years and take Virginia back to the Gilmore era.

"This election is too important. We have to think about what direction we want our commonwealth to take. President Obama has laid out a bold and progressive agenda for a brighter tomorrow, and we have to give him a partner in Virginia."

Tags: bob mcdonnell, election, macker, mcauliffe, mcdonnell, republicans, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Radio Ad Featuring President Clinton

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio ad highlighting his experience and widespread support from Virginia organizations and Democratic leaders, including President Bill Clinton.

"It makes a difference who the Governor is. It makes a difference what the policies are and I am telling you Terry McAuliffe was made for this moment in history," President Clinton says in the ad. "He's got more energy than anybody I've ever met, he's relentlessly positive and he really cares about people like you.

The radio ad will run on adult urban contemporary, gospel, and religious radio stations in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets. It was produced by Potomac Waves, a minority-owned and operated media consulting firm based in Washington, DC.

The ad can be heard here.

Tags: ads, bill clinton, clinton, democratic leaders, democrats, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, president clinton, radio ad, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

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

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Radio Ad Featuring will.i.am

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio ad highlighting his support from Grammy award winning hip-hop artist and Democratic activist will.i.am. McAuliffe and will.i.am have known each other since 2004 and have worked together on many Democratic efforts.

"If you know Terry then you know how contagious his energy is, so when he asked me to join him and the Democratic party to reach out to young people, I didn't have to think twice," will.i.am says in the ad.

"Terry gets that families are struggling, that it's tough to pay for college and find a job. That's why his plan will help create thousands of jobs here in Virginia. Now I'm asking you to step up, get out and vote for terry McAuliffe on June 9th. Believe me, I know he's gonna bring the energy and I know your vote for Terry will bring the change we need to Richmond."

The ad "Step Up" will run on stations in the Richmond, and Norfolk media markets. It can be heard here.

Tags: ads, democrats, macker, mcauliffe, radio, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, will.i.am

Weekly Blog Roundup 5/28/09

Just like Terry and all of our supporters, the blogosphere is gearing up for Election Day. This week bloggers have been talking about which candidates are looking good in the polls, Terry's latest endorsements, and events leading up to the final week. We're just as excited as bloggers are for the upcoming primary election, which is why we all agree we need to put every ounce of that energy into getting out the vote.

Terry has received numerous endorsements this week, including former Lieutenant Governor Candidate Jon Bowerbank and prominent Virginia blogger Ben Tribbett. Ben explains his reasons for endorsing Terry at his blog, Not Larry Sabato.

This hasn't been an easy choice… But after a lot of thought, I'm going to support Terry McAuliffe for Governor. A few reasons: The national media has been salivating over this race since Terry got into it waiting for a gaffe that they could jump on and blow up. It hasn't happened, because Terry has researched the issues, learned local politics in every corner of the Commonwealth and surrounded himself with a first rate campaign team. I think that indicates that Terry is ready for the General Election... He can take on the toughest fights- and drive the General Assembly to solutions. …we need a Governor to shake things up in Richmond. Terry is the right man at this time to do so… More importantly, Terry is giving people a little bit of that hope we got in 2008 and that kind of optimistic attitude can do everyone a lot of good right now.

Other bloggers are also enthusiastically supporting Terry, including the most recent endorsement from the blog X Curmudgeon.

In the end we had to go with the man we thought would run the best campaign. Of the three Democratic candidates, we think McAuliffe will do the best job running against McDonnell. ...More importantly, however, McAuliffe has run a clean, upbeat, well-oiled campaign. ...Equally important--and a question mark for us at the beginning of the campaign--T.M. has shown a good deal of substance on the campaign trail. We don't think he'd just be an empty suit in the Governor's Mansion if elected. ...Three-four months ago, we couldn't have seen ourselves endorsing Terry McAuliffe. But come November, we're going to need his energy, the money he can raise, and the enthusiasm he can generate.

At Blue Virginia, Lowell reported on Terry’s glowing endorsement from the Richmond Free Press, Virginia’s leading African-American newspaper.

Great news for Terry McAuliffe, as (already strong) African American support for his candidacy appears to be gaining momentum as we get closer to election day (in addition, there was the Richmond Crusade for Voters' endorsement of Terry several days ago). …The Free Press writes that in order to "keep up the Virginia momentum for President Obama's audacious program of hope and change...we must elect the strongest Democratic candidate with the ability to defeat the Republican candidate in the Nov. 3 General Election."

In a diary at Daily Kos, Alankrishnan wrote about President Clinton campaigning with Terry in Herndon and Annandale a couple weeks ago.

President Clinton referred to McAuliffe as his best friend and made it very clear that his support of McAuliffe in this race was not just because of friendship but because of McAuliffe being best qualified to be the next Governor of Virginia. …McAuliffe made a fiery speech calling for unity and working together for the growth and success of Virginia… He thanked all his supporters for the confidence and support in the race and promised he will continue to work very hard to protect the jobs of every one in Virginia …He concluded by exhorting every one to unite under one sign after June 9th, no matter what sign they carried now….I walked around and spoke with several in the audience. Among those I met is a seasoned Obama campaign volunteer in Herndon who is totally convinced that McAuliffe is our best candidate to be the next Governor of Virginia. She is putting together a team of volunteers to help make this campaign.

He also provided video of the event in Herndon:

Tags: ben tribbett, bill clinton, bloggers, blogs, clinton, endorsements, jon bowerbank, macker, mcauliffe, polls, richmond free press, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup

A must read

There are two excellent stories out today - an endorsement from the state's leading African-American newspaper, the Richmond Free Press, and a great profile of Terry in The Washington Post. I'm not going to do much writing in this email; the articles speak for themselves. As the RFP wrote, "We see Terry McAuliffe as the one who can win, keep up the momentum for hope and change and continue the tradition of smart, fair-minded resourceful leadership best exemplified by President Obama."

Check it out:

In considering our endorsement for governor in the June 9 Democratic primary, our foremost objective is this: To keep up the Virginia momentum for President Obama's audacious program of hope and change. In order to achieve that goal, we believe we must elect the strongest Democratic candidate with the ability to defeat the Republican candidate in the Nov. 3 General Election.

. . .

We have met with all three Democratic candidates. We asked them all important questions related to keeping up the Obama momentum for a better Virginia free of racism and economic exploitation.

In interviews with Sen. Deeds and former Delegate Moran, we sensed a degree of discomfort in some of their answers-particularly the one related to what they would do to correct Virginia's disgraceful procurement record, which shows the commonwealth spends less than 1 percent of taxpayers' dollars on black owned businesses. Further, they gave us no solid impression that they were inclined to work necessarily hard to win the Democratic Party's most loyal constituency.

Our reaction to this disposition: If a candidate is not responsive when he is seeking your support, what kind of attention can you expect from that candidate if he is elected?

In our interview with Terry McAuliffe, we got a totally different impression. He welcomed questions-and seemingly, the harder the better. "I'm going to shake up Virginia" for what's right for all people, he passionately vowed. Further, he demonstrated his concern for the black community, showing up at events in our community as he did in other communities-and following up to assure that he means what he says.

We also were impressed with Mr. McAuliffe's overwhelming passion for his winning in the interest of the people in November. We admire Mr. McAuliffe's passion for doing the right thing. As a matter of fact, we see passion, along with a sound program, as a vital ingredient for accomplishing a mission.

We think Mr. McAuliffe is the best candidate in the Democratic primary. We see Terry McAuliffe as the one who can win, keep up the momentum for hope and change and continue the tradition of the smart, fair-minded, resourceful leadership best exemplified by President Obama.

Click Here to Read the Full Article.

Additionally, The Washington Post profile comes awfully close to capturing the energy and enthusiasm Terry brings to the campaign trail, noting that "In his personal and professional life, McAuliffe has always talked louder, moved quicker and thought bigger than most of his peers."

"Maybe it's my prejudice from being from Southwest Virginia, but I start out saying I'm for Deeds," said Richard Young, 68, a Roanoke native.

Young said this while standing outside his Arlington house, watching McAuliffe work on his roof. As part of his campaign, McAuliffe has toiled at jobs ranging from waiter to firefighter, and on that day, he decided to join a crew that was working on Young's solar heating system.

McAuliffe said Young should get state tax credits, in addition to federal ones, for his "green" efforts. He then did something Young hadn't expected: He worked. He went from the roof to the basement and stayed about three hours, long enough to make Young question his vote.

The other two candidates "deserve it more," Young said a few days later, but "McAuliffe has the potential to do a lot more."

"He came and he really stayed," Young added. "It wasn't just a photo op. That surprised me."

Click Here to Read the Full Article.

Thanks so much for all your hard work.

P.S. We have just 12 days more to go until the election on June 9th, and we really need more volunteers to help us get out the vote. The best thing you can do is come down to one of our 14 campaign offices across the Commonwealth, but there are opportunities to help out even from your home. Terry's even going to autograph rally signs for the first 200 people to sign up and volunteer their time, so please don't wait. Click here to sign up to volunteer right now!

Tags: endorsements, grassroots support, macker, mcauliffe, obama, richmond free press, support, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, volunteer, washington post

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

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

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Ad Highlighting Education Plans

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement highlighting his ideas for getting all Virginia's children on a path to success.

"Did you know we use the failure rate of third graders to help predict how many prison spots Virginia will need in 15 years?" says McAuliffe in the ad. "As Governor I'll invest in early education, reduce class sizes and invest in teacher pay because the future of our children and our Commonwealth start right here."

The ad, "Right Here," will run on stations in the Richmond, Norfolk and Roanoke media markets. It can be viewed here.

Tags: ad, education, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, teachers, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Announces Endorsements from Virginia Blogger, Commonwealth Democratic Leaders

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe received the endorsement of Virginia blogger Ben Tribbett and former lieutenant governor candidate Jon Bowerbank, as well as Democratic leaders from across the state.

The McAuliffe campaign this morning released a video from Tribbett announcing his endorsement of McAuliffe's candidacy and discussing his support.

That video can also be found here.

Tribbett runs the blog Not Larry Sabato, the most widely read political blog in the Commonwealth. McAuliffe has previously been endorsed by the three co-founders of the Draft Jim Webb movement, bloggers Lee Diamond, Josh Chernila, and Lowell Feld.

Former lieutenant governor candidate Jon Bowerbank, citing McAuliffe's experience and leadership, elaborated on his endorsement in a statement to the campaign. "Terry's got big ideas for Virginia's future and I believe he's got the experience to deliver-- on job creation and making our Commonwealth a leader on green technologies," said Bowerbank. "At a time when so many families across the Commonwealth are struggling, Terry can help bring people from across the Commonwealth together to get our economy back on track. I look forward to working with him, and I strongly endorse his candidacy for Governor."

The full list of those endorsing today follows:

Carol Johanningsmeier - 1st Vice Chair, Suffolk Democratic Committee

Dan Sullivan, USMC LtCol (Ret.) - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member

Juston Hugue - President of the Tidewater Community College Young Democrats, Chesapeake Campus

Princess Maribal - Outreach Chair, Loudoun County Young Democrats

Chris Mayer - Central Committee Member and former chair, York County

Frank Schubauer - Activist Democratic Committee Member, Newport News

Larry Henderson - Former Chair, Hampton Veterans & Military Families for Obama

Sandra Engelhardt - Central Committee Member, Newport News, 1st CD

Donyata S. Washington - Virginia Children's Rights Advocate and Community Activist, Norfolk

Cheryl McNeal - Obama Organizing Fellow, Williamsburg

Tiffany Gibson - President, Old Dominion University Young Democrats

Aaron Lyles - President, Roanoke Valley Young Democrats

Amanda Black McBreen - Co-founder, Blue Star Families for Obama

Tags: ben tribbett, blogger, democrats, endorsements, jon bowerbank, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Crusade backs McAuliffe

Richmond Free Press
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
May 21, 2009

Terry McAuliffe has gained the backing of the Richmond Crusade for Voters for his bid to win the Democratic nomination for governor in the upcoming June 9 primary election.

The city’s oldest and largest organized political group Tuesday night endorsed Mr. McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He won over his two rivals in the primary, Bath County state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Alexandria Delegate Brian J. Moran.

Jeff Bourne, a Richmond attorney who chairs the Crusade’s research committee, announced the results after 80 members voted by secret ballot at the Letter Carriers Union building on Chamberlayne Avenue. The committee itself did not issue a recommendation to the membership in this race.

The Crusade’s support for Mr. McAuliffe, who has campaigned heavily in black communities across the state, runs counter to the views of most of the elected officials who were in attendance and voted. They include Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Delegate Joe Morrisey, who support Mr. Moran, and state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III and Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, who are backing Mr. Deeds. Other Deeds supporters present included City Council Vice President Ellen F. Robertson and Councilwoman Reva F. Trammell.

In a statement to the Free Press on Wednesday, Sen. Marsh, a 50-year Crusade member, alleged the endorsement process was tarnished “by irregularities.” He stated that people who had not met the Crusade’s requirements were allowed to vote on the endorsement.

Mr. Bourne noted more than 105 votes were cast, but 25 were thrown out after being disputed by campaign representatives and tellers.

For Mr. McAuliffe, a Fairfax County businessman, the Crusade endorsement appears to add to his campaign’s momentum. Two recent statewide polls have indicated that Mr. McAuliffe holds a significant lead among potential primary voters.

The Crusade also endorsed Jody Wagner, the former state secretary of finance, for lieutenant governor in her Democratic primary contest against A. Michael “Mike” Signer, a Democratic strategist who served in Gov. Mark Warner’s administration.

In other primary races, the Crusade voted to back incumbent Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. over his challenger, Maj. Antionette V. Irving of the Henrico County Sheriff’s Department.

The Crusade also endorsed Antione Green in the three-way race for the Democratic nomination in the 69th House of Delegates District, previously represented by Delegate Franklin P. Hall, who stepped down last month after being appointed to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Mr. Green, a workforce training specialist who is in his second term as Crusade president, is vying against School Board memberBetsy B. Carr and corporate attorney Carlos M. Brown. Last Friday, four days before the Crusade vote, Mr. Green announced he was taking a leave of absence from his post as Crusade president to concentrate on his campaign.

The Crusade’s acting president is J.J.Minor, first vice president and son of Delegate McQuinn.

Tags: crusade, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, richmond crusade for voters, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Weekly Blog Roundup 5/22/09

With 18 days until the primary, bloggers this week analyzed the recent events impacting the gubernatorial race, including celebrity rallies and endorsements, debates, campaign attacks, issues and polls.

At Blue Commonwealth, aznew provided a balanced look at the last Democratic gubernatorial debate, with some positive and negative reactions to each of the candidates.

My first impression at the debate was that Terry McAuliffe won. In the hall, at least, Creigh seemed a little flat and Moran seemed, well, lost in the sense that with three weeks left to go in a campaign that he has been waging for three years, he still hasn't seemed to find a consistent voice or message... First, let me cite the one winning McAuliffe moment that stood out as the debate's highlight. When it came time for his question, Creigh asked McAuliffe how he could promise so much to so many - building a gym, paying teachers mortgages, etc., when he knows budgets will be tight. The question was intended to put McAuliffe on the spot for pandering and over-promising. Before he was halfway done asking it, however, it was clear to everyone - even Creigh, I think -- that he'd made a mistake. McAuliffe thanked Creigh for the question, and took the opportunity to talk about his big ideas, about reaching for the stars. "Do you want me to get out of bed and say I'm gonna be 50th?" he said. "NO. You shoot for the moon. John Kennedy didn't say we're taking the rocket halfway to the moon, It goes all the way to the moon."

Ben of Not Larry Sabato was tweeting from the debate, and concluded with:

Decisive win for @terry_mcauliffe in this debate.

Bob Holsworth at Virginia Tomorrow discusses Terry’s positive campaign and ideas, and questions why Democrats would criticize a campaign of hope after last year’s success.

McAuliffe has portrayed himself as an outsider who wants to bring “big ideas” to Virginia and shake up the political system….Nationally, the Democratic Party has fared very well because it is the party of hope and not the party of no. Wasn’t Bill Clinton the boy from Hope (Arkansas, that is)? And wasn’t Hope Obama’s real middle name? In a tough campaign, I expect that that candidates will use every weapon in their arsenal and it is no secret that both Moran and Deeds think that McAuliffe had no business becoming a statewide candidate in Virginia. But, as a party, I think the Democrats have to ensure that in trying to defeat McAuliffe, they don’t also run down the major rhetorical advantage they’ve had over the GOP in the last few years. The Democrats have to be careful that, whatevever the outcome of the primary, they don’t turn Virginia into the kind of place where hope goes to die.

At Blue Virginia, Lowell reports on Terry’s conference call with Liberty University students who recently had their rights to meet as a Democratic group revoked by school officials.

Liberty University has revoked its recognition of the campus Democratic Party club, saying “we are unable to lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by” the university….Meanwhile, I got an email from the McAuliffe campaign saying that Terry "will hold a conference call with Liberty University Democrats" this morning. The McAuliffe campaign email adds, "Liberty University Democrats have campaigned for McAuliffe across the Commonwealth in recent weeks, and were active advocates for Obama in the 2008 presidential election."

Multiple polls this week have shown Terry in the lead in the Democratic primary race, and while the only poll that really counts is the one on election day, the blogs are buzzing. At Blue Commonwealth, kyleblankenship reported on the Survey USA poll, while at Blue Virginia Lowell added some commentary.

The bottom line is that Terry's gaining ground in the general election as we get closer to June 9 and the number of undecideds shrinks.

In a Research 2000 poll at Daily Kos, McAuliffe also holds the lead, and Kos provided some analysis.

A pretty dramatic gain for McAuliffe in the last six weeks for an election that will be decided in about three weeks (June 9), while Deeds and Moran essentially tread water. …while Moran has remained steady and while Deeds has edged back, McAuliffe has managed to move his favorability numbers forward despite an increasingly negative primary.

Laura Clawson wrote a diary at Daily Kos reflecting on her experience at the will.i.am event in Arlington on May 11th and analyzing the impact of celebrities joining the campaign trail.

This is one of the reasons it's silly when people sneer at celebrities campaigning for politicians. The biggest reason, of course, is this: If you have strong political beliefs, or support a politician strongly, you should do whatever you can to support them. Maybe it's knocking on doors, maybe it's drawing a couple hundred people and some extra press to a campaign event. …if a campaign gets people out to an event who might not go, and they hear a campaign speech they wouldn't hear, and maybe they give the campaign their information and get a few election-day text messages reminding them to vote, maybe that makes a difference. At any rate it's not hurting our democracy for people to see that rich and famous people think politics can matter.

Tags: bloggers, blogs, debates, economy, endorsements, hope, liberty university, macker, mcauliffe, obama, polls, roundup, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup, will.i.am

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

All the way to the moon

This race is getting heated - and it's moving at lightning speed. While Terry continued to communicate his positive vision for growing Virginia's economy at yesterday's final debate in Annandale, Brian Moran launched the first TV attack ad of the race, and a firestorm of criticism erupted in the aftermath of his false radio spot.

You've built this campaign from the ground up. And with just 20 days to go, I want to make sure you don't miss a beat.

The Final Debate

The reviews are in. News outlets reported Terry was "unfazed," "jovial", "confident and carefree," while his opponents engaged in "McAuliffe bashing," "going after [Terry] with a bit of a vengeance" in their fifth and final debate. WTOP political analyst Mark Plotkin said Terry "definitely dominates at these debates - feels very relaxed, very comfortable, very much at ease." And The Hill ran with the headline: "McAuliffe emerges as leading candidate in VA primary."

The most telling moment of the afternoon occurred when Creigh Deeds disparagingly asked Terry how he planned to implement all the proposals he's put forward on the campaign trail. Terry was all over it. Taking the opportunity to reinforce his positive vision for growing Virginia's economy, Terry delivered the best line of the debate: "John Kennedy didn't say we're taking the rocket halfway to the moon -- it goes all the way to the moon. That's how I think."

VCU Professor Bob Holsworth observed "a bit of an irony" in Moran's and Deed's suggestion that Terry won't be able to follow through on his agenda:

Nationally, the Democratic Party has fared very well because it is the party of hope and not the party of no. Wasn't Bill Clinton the boy from Hope (Arkansas, that is)? And wasn't Hope Obama's real middle name?… Democrats have to ensure that in trying to defeat McAuliffe, they don't also run down the major rhetorical advantage they've had over the GOP in the last few years.

I obviously think Terry did great, but you should decide for yourself. We've posted the entire debate on our website, so definitely check it out.

First Attack Ad on TV

Yesterday afternoon, Brian Moran's campaign launched its first television ad. However, instead of using the spot to introduce Brian to voters, they launched a terribly misleading and viciously personal attack that unfairly characterizes Terry's record as an entrepreneur with 13 years experience running large organizations.

But we were ready. Within an hour of getting word about Moran's attack, we'd cut and released a response ad that sets the record straight.

The truth is that Terry is the only candidate in this race who's created thousands of jobs. Terry's been completely forthcoming about his business record, and reporters have taken an extensive look at it during this campaign. In this economic climate, Terry's record of turning around struggling institutions is precisely what we need from our next governor.

Criticism of Moran Radio Ad Mounts

Brian Moran's radio ad is taking a beating. It's deliberately designed to deceive voters into believing Terry opposed Barack Obama's candidacy last November - and in an article entitled, "Moran's Miscues in Virginia," the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Factcheck.org calls out the ad for its misleading claims. Noting that the ad doesn't provide adequate context when it mentions Terry's appearance on the Daily Show, the independent organization wrote that "McAuliffe never worked against President Barack Obama, or Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. And when last we checked, Clinton was serving as Obama's secretary of state, indicating there's been a burial ceremony for some old swords. Maybe Moran missed it."

Even Moran's own supporters are disgusted. Joel McDonald - a longtime Brian Moran supporter who blogs at http://vbprogressives.com - wrote that, "Spreading half-truths and rumors in a desperate attempt at shifting opinion about your opponent is not the way campaigns will be won this year." Noting that Moran's attack bears a striking similarity to the attacks Republicans waged against Obama, McDonald said, "For a campaign to truly use Barack Obama's influence, they have to campaign using his example."

The Home Stretch

Your support throughout this campaign has been incredible. You are directly responsible for everything that we've accomplished. And thanks to all of your hard work, I couldn't be more proud of the campaign we've put together.

But this election is still close. Anything could happen, and we're counting on you to help mobilize our voters on Election Day -- June 9th. So if you haven't done so already, please sign up to volunteer immediately.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Tags: brian moran, creigh deeds, debate, deeds, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, moran, obama, president obama, primary, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Shoot for the Moon

This clip is from the Washington Post/NewsChannel8 Virginia Democratic Primary Debate.

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

The Final Debate

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

Stepped Up

In 1985, Terry McAuliffe helped found the Federal City National Bank, a small community bank that was designed to serve the Washington, DC area. Terry said he got into the banking business because he wanted to "do what a bank is supposed to do. Work for the depositors." Federal City opened a year later.

At the beginning, the bank struggled to turn a profit. While the bank's assets grew, in its first year the bank lost $513,000; the next, it lost $471,000.

In 1988, Terry was elected the chairman of the bank, making him one of the youngest people ever to be elected chairman of a federally chartered bank. His goal was "to make Federal City National Bank one of the nation's most innovative, aggressive and fiscally sound financial institutions."

As chairman, Terry took immediate steps to turn the bank around. He replaced the president and added four new directors. By the end of 1989, Federal City National Bank reported its first annual profit of $280,000. The president of the bank, Clyde Smith, said more stringent loan requirements and better workouts of nonperforming loans spurred the turnaround.

Federal City's turnaround was remarkable in another sense: the Washington, DC-area was overbanked and the cost of doing business in the District was a lot higher than doing business in the suburbs. Large banks were overtaking the smaller banks. Yet during this time, Federal City was able to establish itself. A headline in October 1990 read "Federal City profits buck banking trends." A month later, the Washington Business Journal noted "Federal City National Bank is currently one of the most profitable institutions in the District." Indeed, Federal City had the second highest return on average assets of any bank in the District of Columbia. One bank analyst noted, "It's incredible the way these guys have turned this bank around."

By 1991, the Savings and Loan crisis was in full swing. The economy was in recession. Federal regulators were forcing banks to increase their capital and write down loans and even seized some banks. All 11 DC-area banks that started in the 1980s were facing trouble. One investment source noted, "With the number of banks out there looking to raise capital, coupled with the problems in the industry and the regulatory environment they have to operate under--they'll just never do it. There are just too many better ways to invest your money." In spite of this climate, Federal City National Bank did not close. Rather, it was able to merge with a larger bank and stay in operation.

Terry McAuliffe's leadership at Federal City National Bank is a good example of what type of governor he will be. He took over the bank at a time when it was struggling. His vision and ability to bring new people and new ideas helped turn the bank around. And he did not quit when times were tough. He stayed and saw the bank successfully merge. That bank is still around today.

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

“No, He Can’t”

Virginia Tomorrow
May 19, 2009
By Bob Holsworth

That’s the message that Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran are sending about Terry McAuliffe’s ideas in a Democratic primary contest that is becoming increasingly personal.

McAuliffe has portrayed himself as an outsider who wants to bring “big ideas” to Virginia and shake up the political system.

Change the Dillon rule. Develop a more aggressive strategy and incentive structure for pursuing major business relocations. Make Virginia into a leader for renewable energy. More jobs will be produced in Virginia than anywhere else.

It’s an idea a day. And McAuliffe’s the hopemonger-in-chief.

But Deeds and Moran are saying not so fast.

McAuliffe’s overcommitted. He’s making promises on which he can’t deliver. Don’t get taken in by all this talk about hope and new ideas.

Do you really believe that he’ll be able to come through.

What are we to make of all this?

It’s certainly fair for candidates in a campaign to ask an opponent how he’ll fund, develop legislative support for, or otherwise implement the campaign promises that are being proposed.

But there does seem to be a bit of an irony here.

Nationally, the Democratic Party has fared very well because it is the party of hope and not the party of no.

Wasn’t Bill Clinton the boy from Hope (Arkansas, that is)?

And wasn’t Hope Obama’s real middle name?

In a tough campaign, I expect that that candidates will use every weapon in their arsenal and it is no secret that both Moran and Deeds think that McAuliffe had no business becoming a statewide candidate in Virginia.

But, as a party, I think the Democrats have to ensure that in trying to defeat McAuliffe, they don’t also run down the major rhetorical advantage they’ve had over the GOP in the last few years.

The Democrats have to be careful that, whatevever the outcome of the primary, they don’t turn Virginia into the kind of place where hope goes to die.

Tags: brian moran, creigh deeds, deeds, hope, macker, mcauliffe, moran, obama, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Rivals Take Aim at McAuliffe in Final Primary Debate

May 19th, 2009
The Washington Post
Anita Kumar

Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran sought to isolate Terry McAuliffe in the final debate among the three primary candidates today by repeatedly and vigorously attacking him on his credibility.

Deeds and Moran accused McAuliffe of promising too much to too many, charged that he exaggerated claims about his business record and suggested he had hidden the truth about his campaign donations.

"These are the divisive politics of destruction that people are sick and tired of," McAuliffe said. "We need a healthy discussion on the issues," he added, defending his record and calling the charges untrue.

With three weeks to the June 9 primary, the final debate mirrored the closing themes of the primary campaign -- with most of the attention continuing to focus on McAuliffe's outsider bid to become the Democratic standard-bearer in the general election campaign against Republican Robert F. McDonnell.

Hundreds came out to watch the three Democrats at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus, as each sought to stamp a final impression in a race where polls show the majority of voters remain undecided.

With the three finding accord on most major issues, the campaign has turned into a referendum on style -- and most notably, on what McAuliffe described as his shoot-for-the-moon approach. Deeds and Moran, both longtime state legislators, have struggled for months to take attention away from the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee whose national connections and outsized personality have led to more money and more media exposure.

Deeds accused him of over promising to build a high school gym in Martinsville, pay off teachers' mortgages, car and student loans, use his Hollywood connection to make Virginia the new film capital of the world and reform Medicaid.

"Those are just some of the things you said in public,'' Deeds said. "I don't know what you said in private."

Moran questioned McAuliffe's record of creating jobs, accusing him of exaggerating the number he has created.

"So tell me, Terry, how is this a positive, credible campaign, and how can Virginia voters trust you will care about their jobs and create any new jobs?"

McAuliffe brushed off the attacks as gutter politics, and said he was proud to set ambitious goals for the state.

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

The hour-long debate, hosted by The Washington Post and News Channel 8, was available online and will be televised tonight on News Channel 8. Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza and News Channel 8 anchor Bruce DePuyt asked questions, some submitted by Washington Post readers.

McAuliffe, Deeds and Moran are running to replace Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat who is barred from running for a second term, in a closely watched race that could help determine whether Virginia will continue to turn blue. This year's Democratic primary is the party's first contested gubernatorial nomination battle in more than two decades.

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

McAuliffe Gets Some Obama Star Power

The Washington Post
May 18, 2009
By Anita Kumar

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, who has been hammered in recent days about his efforts to defeat Barack Obama in last year's presidential race, found a way to fight back today in a big way.

McAuliffe annnounced an endorsement from former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, one of Obama's earliest supporters and one of his national campaign co-chairmen.

"I was impressed by the time and energy Terry put into traveling across Virginia and the country on Barack Obama's behalf during the general election,'' Daschle said in a statement. "From the day Hillary Clinton ended her historic bid for president, Terry worked tirelessly to unify our party around Barack Obama and get him elected President. His energy and enthusiasm were tremendous assets on the campaign trail and we were grateful to have him on our side.

Rival Brian Moran has attacked McAuliffe for his work as Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman and just yesterday unveiled a radio ad that declared "If Terry McAuliffe had his way, Barack Obama wouldn't be our president today."

Obama mominated Daschle to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, but he eventually withdrew his name amid a growing controversy over his failure to accurately report and pay income taxes.

Daschle's son, Nathan, now works as the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, which is expected to pour millions of dollars and extensive resources to keep a Democrat in the Virginia's governor's mansion.

The DGA has already put more than $2 million into the race. The DGA does not endorse a candidate in the June 9 primary, but is working to discredit Republican nominee Bob McDonnell.

Tags: brian moran, daschle, macker, mcauliffe, moran, obama, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tom daschle, va-gov, virginia

Setting the record straight

Brian Moran's campaign has reached a new low. Last night they unveiled a false attack ad, set to air on African-American radio stations, that's deliberately designed to deceive voters into believing Terry opposed Barack Obama's candidacy last November.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Immediately after the primary, Terry led the charge for Democrats to unite behind Barack Obama. The Obama campaign asked Terry to campaign on its behalf and Terry held dozens and dozens of events in Virginia and across the country - making the case that President Obama was the right person to turn the page on eight devastating years of Republican rule and restore the promise of America. The Obama campaign trumpeted Terry's support -- releasing professional web videos of Terry's campaign stops in Virginia and other swing states.

We put together our own video that chronicles just a small portion of the work that Terry did for the Obama campaign, and we're counting on you to set the record straight.

Click Here to learn more about Terry campaigning for Barack Obama - Then Help Us Fight Back.

At a time when so many families are facing real financial hardship and are just struggling to pay the bills, you'd hope that our gubernatorial candidates would focus on how to grow the economy and move Virginia forward. But not Brian Moran. He's rehashing old campaign battles and dividing Democrats - all in a shameless attempt to score a few cheap political points. These are exactly the kind of slash-and-burn tactics voters rejected when we elected Barack Obama.

Virginia Democrats deserve better. That's why Terry's focusing on solutions to the economic crisis - so that we can create the jobs of the future and help Virginia families get through these tough times. The Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote that, "McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring…. [H]is substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign."

But with just 22 days to go until Election Day, we need to aggressively respond to the false attacks our opponents are hurling at Terry. And you can help us fight back by making a contribution to Terry's campaign.

Right now, we're under full-scale assault. Both of our opponents are running false attack ads against Terry, and we need the resources to run ads setting the record straight while continuing to communicate Terry's positive vision for Virginia. We're counting on your help to make that happen.

Click Here to Make a Contribution to Help Air Response Ads.

This is your campaign, and there's no way we'd be in the position we're in without everything that you've done. I can't thank you enough. There are just 22 days left until the election on June 9th. So please keep up the hard work all the way to the end.

Tags: ad, barack obama, brian moran, macker, mcauliffe, obama, president obama, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Saved

Watch our new Ad:

In 1985, Terry McAuliffe helped found the Federal City National Bank, a small community bank that was designed to serve the Washington, DC area. Terry said he got into the banking business because he wanted to "do what a bank is supposed to do. Work for the depositors." Federal City opened a year later.

At the beginning, the bank struggled to turn a profit. While the bank's assets grew, in its first year the bank lost $513,000; the next, it lost $471,000.

In 1988, Terry was elected the chairman of the bank, making him one of the youngest people ever to be elected chairman of a federally chartered bank. His goal was "to make Federal City National Bank one of the nation's most innovative, aggressive and fiscally sound financial institutions."

As chairman, Terry took immediate steps to turn the bank around. He replaced the president and added four new directors. By the end of 1989, Federal City National Bank reported its first annual profit of $280,000. The president of the bank, Clyde Smith, said more stringent loan requirements and better workouts of nonperforming loans spurred the turnaround.

Federal City's turnaround was remarkable in another sense: the Washington, DC-area was overbanked and the cost of doing business in the District was a lot higher than doing business in the suburbs. Large banks were overtaking the smaller banks. Yet during this time, Federal City was able to establish itself. A headline in October 1990 read "Federal City profits buck banking trends." A month later, the Washington Business Journal noted "Federal City National Bank is currently one of the most profitable institutions in the District." Indeed, Federal City had the second highest return on average assets of any bank in the District of Columbia. One bank analyst noted, "It's incredible the way these guys have turned this bank around."

By 1991, the Savings and Loan crisis was in full swing. The economy was in recession. Federal regulators were forcing banks to increase their capital and write down loans and even seized some banks. All 11 DC-area banks that started in the 1980s were facing trouble. One investment source noted, "With the number of banks out there looking to raise capital, coupled with the problems in the industry and the regulatory environment they have to operate under--they'll just never do it. There are just too many better ways to invest your money." In spite of this climate, Federal City National Bank did not close. Rather, it was able to merge with a larger bank and stay in operation.

Terry McAuliffe's leadership at Federal City National Bank is a good example of what type of governor he will be. He took over the bank at a time when it was struggling. His vision and ability to bring new people and new ideas helped turn the bank around. And he did not quit when times were tough. He stayed and saw the bank successfully merge. That bank is still around today.

Tags: ad, business, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Obama National Co-Chair and Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle Releases Statement in Support of Terry McAuliffe

Today, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who served as a National Campaign Co-Chair for President Barack Obama, issued the following statement in support of gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe:

"As the national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and one of his earliest supporters, I was impressed by the time and energy Terry put into traveling across Virginia and the country on Barack Obama's behalf during the general election.

"From the day Hillary Clinton ended her historic bid for president, Terry worked tirelessly to unify our party around Barack Obama and get him elected President. His energy and enthusiasm were tremendous assets on the campaign trail and we were grateful to have him on our side.

"Terry has decades of experience creating jobs and turning around struggling businesses, including bringing the Democratic National Committee out of debt for the first time in modern history. I believe this experience makes him uniquely qualified to be the next governor of Virginia and I support his candidacy."

Tags: daschle, endorsements, macker, maculiaffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tom daschle, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases Statement on Moran Campaign's Negative and Misleading Radio Advertisements

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe's campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith released the following statement on Brian Moran's negative radio ads:

"Negative attacks like this one are nothing new from Brian Moran, who continues to run false and misleading ads. The fact is that Terry fought tirelessly after the presidential primaries to get Barack Obama elected.

"Terry is proud to have held dozens and dozens of events across Virginia and the country on President Obama's behalf. And he's proud to have worked with leaders like President Obama and Governor Kaine to establish unity in the Democratic Party after the presidential primary. It's sad that Brian Moran is trying to divide Democrats again, especially at a time when we all need to come together to help President Obama get the economy back on track.

"With a strong record of creating thousands of jobs and turning around struggling businesses, Terry doesn't need to rely on negative and misleading attacks. It's unfortunate that Brian Moran does."

Fact Check on Moran Negative Radio Ad

FALSE ATTACK: Moran campaign would like you to believe Terry McAuliffe doesn't want Barack Obama to be President.

FACT: Once the Primary ended, Terry McAuliffe enthusiastically supported Barack Obama, stumping for him throughout Virginia and the country.

* McAuliffe Was Front And Center Encouraging Clinton Supporters To Unite Behind Obama As Soon As The Primary Ended. In June 2008, McAuliffe was front and center encouraging Clinton supporters to unite behind Barack Obama at the 'Unity Event' shortly after the primary ended. 'Terry McAuliffe, the campaign chairman for Mrs. Clinton, said it was time to get her contributors 'fired up for the general election.' As Mr. McAuliffe walked through the hotel's stately lobby, he was greeted by several Clinton supporters who embraced him and spoke longingly about Mrs. Clinton's candidacy. 'This is unity; bringing together these folks is a good piece of that,' Mr. McAuliffe said." [New York Times, 6/27/08]

McAuliffe 'Now, We All Do Whatever We Can To Help Barack Obama To Become The Next President…' TERRY MCAULIFFE, CLINTON CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN: It was an exciting campaign and it was very close. But now, we all do whatever we can to help Barack Obama to become the next president because it's about the issues. [Verdict with Dan Abrams, 6/6/08]

* McAuliffe: 'I'm Going To Go Full-Time To Help His Campaign.' MCAULIFFE: I have talked -- I have talked to Senator Obama several times. And, now that we're through this convention, I'm going to go full- time to help this campaign. [MSNBC SPECIAL, 8/26/08]

* McAuliffe Reiterated Importance Of Electing Obama During Convention. McAuliffe was asked on 'American Morning' about whether President Bill Clinton behind Obama. He said Clinton would use his convention speech to "Make the case that it's an important year for a Democrat to win the White House, House, Senate, and we have to get behind Barack Obama." [CNN, 'American Morning, 8/27/08]

* McAuliffe Did A 30-Locality Tour Of Virginia To Promote Obama. McAuliffe did a 30-locality tour of Virginia to promote Obama. At one stop, McAuliffe spoke at a forum in Chesterfield County, where he was the Democratic counter to former Republican governor and U.S. senator George Allen. [Washington Post, 9/18/08; Richmond Times Dispatch, 9/25/08]

o Charlottesville, VA - McAuliffe spoke about health care 'on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.' [Daily Progress, 9/28/08]

+ Video of Terry campaigning in Charlottesville for President Obama can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59SswR-As6I&feature=channel_page

o Danville, VA - McAuliffe was in Danville on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. He focused most of his discussion on Obama's plan, and noted stark contrasts to that of Republican contender John McCain. [Danville Register & Bee, 9/30/08]

o Roanoke, VA - McAuliffe stumped for Barack Obama in Roanoke… McAuliffe told a crowd of about 30 that Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, would expand health insurance coverage to some of the 47 million Americans who are without it. Obama's plan would reward doctors for keeping patients healthy rather than for recommending procedures, McAuliffe said. [Roanoke Times, 10/01/08]

o Norfolk, VA - McAuliffe spoke at Old Dominion University sponsored by Students for Obama. McAuliffe discussed presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's policy proposals to improve our health care system. [US Fed News, Old Dominion University Press Release, 10/07/08]

o Terry Campaigned For Obama In Pennsylvania. The following video of Terry campaigning in Pennsylvania was produced by the Obama-Biden campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pif-zup_IM&NR=1

FACT: Even during the primary, Terry McAuliffe said he would support Barack Obama if he won the primary.

* McAuliffe: 'I Think Senator Obama Has Run A Spectacular Campaign… We'll Come Together After The Last Votes Are Done.' McAuliffe: "This has been a great race. I mean, when you think about it, we've had 29 mil-lion votes cast and the difference is less than 1 percent. It's been a great race. And I happen to be one of the Democrats who think this is good for the Democratic Party. … Huge crowds. I think this is great. And I think Senator Obama has run a spectacular campaign. This is the Democratic Party. We'll come together after the last votes are done in June." [CNN Larry King Live, 4/24/08]

* McAuliffe: 'This Party Will Be United… We Will All Be Over At Obama's Headquarters Helping Him.' MCAULIFFE: "This party will be united. I have said this from day one. If we don't win the nomination, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Terry McAuliffe, we will all be over at Barack Obama's headquarters helping him. And Senator Obama would do the same for us. We are all going to be unified." [Larry King Live, 5/9/08]

* McAuliffe: 'If Barack Obama Happens To Be The Nominee, We Will Work - Everybody Will Work Very Hard.' Mr. McAULIFFE: "No. Absolutely not. And if Barack Obama happens to be the nominee, we will work--everybody will work very hard. We will be a unified party. She has received--16.6 million people have voted for her. He's received 16.7. This is a very close race. And we need to get everybody together at the end. And I disagree with a lot of these Democrats today that are saying we won't be unified. We will be very unified. Bill Clinton didn't win the nomination till June of 1992. We've got a long way to go. George Bush has been the greatest unifying force in the history of the Democratic Party. He has brought us all together. We will be together." [Face The Nation, 5/11/08]

* McAuliffe: 'We'll All Be Over There to Help Senator Obama.' In May 2008, McAuliffe told Tim Russert on 'Meet the Press' the he would support Obama and unify the party if he were the nominee.

MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe that if Senator Obama is the nominee that those white ethnic blue collar voters will come back and support him?
MR. McAULIFFE: Yes. Sure, with -- if he's the nominee, we're not there yet, but if he happened to be the nominee, we'll all be unified. And this will all come together. It will be exciting. Everybody will be out working, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, everybody. We'll all be over there to help Senator Obama. [Meet the Press, 5/11/08]

FALSE ATTACK: McAuliffe told Obama to kiss his ass.

FACT: The exchange Moran referenced occurred on the comedy program, The Daily Show. Terry made it clear he was joking.

* Terry McAuliffe Said He Was 'Teasing' In Exchange With Daily Show Host Jon Stewart. Terry McAuliffe went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the day of the final primaries in June 2008. Here is how the Washington Post reported it earlier this year: "McAuliffe later got into a comedic exchange with the host, Jon Stewart. Stewart, pretending to be Obama, asked McAuliffe a question that included an expletive to express his frustration with McAuliffe's antics on the talk-show circuit. McAuliffe's response: Obama could 'kiss my [expletive].' He quickly said he was 'just teasing.'" [Washington Post, 3/22/09]

* Video of the Stewart-McAuliffe exchange can be found here http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/06/04/the-daily-show-june-3-2008-videos/

FALSE ATTACK: Terry is all about big money.

FACT: Terry has a strong record supporting the grassroots.

* McAuliffe Fought To Improve Democratic Party Structure And Grassroots Organization. According to the Washington Post, "He forced a controversial change in the primary campaign schedule and pressed state chairmen to give up exclusive control of their voter lists. He also invested millions in a new headquarters, and gambled that the party could mount a challenge to the GOP's three decades of dominating fundraising. Every one of these high-risk tactics paid off. The schedule change gave Kerry time to raise more than $200 million; the DNC now has a voter list with information on more than 170 million people, which allows the party to develop its own direct-mail donor list. The new headquarters, in turn, is wired to run an operation increasingly dependent on the Internet and the facilities to produce all forms of telecommunications and traditional media." [Washington Post, 7/26/04]

* McAuliffe Champion Of Direct Mail And Small Donors. "Now, as DNC chairman, McAuliffe has become the champion of the direct-mail and Internet small giver. While many assumed the 2002 McCain-Feingold law would gut the Democratic Party, the party has decisively broken all 'hard money' fundraising records (contributions of $25,000 or less), eliminated debt and built a donor base that could potentially power the party for years with McAuliffe at the helm." [Washington Post, 7/26/04]

* McAuliffe Inaugural Fundraising Limited To $100 Contributions. In 1997, as Inauguration co-chair, McAuliffe limited inaugural contributions to $100, and many of the related events are charity fund-raisers. [Star Tribune, 1/20/97; San Francisco Chronicle, 1/17/97]

Tags: brian moran, macker, mcauliffe, moran, obama, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Weekly Blog Roundup 5/15/09

Welcome to this week's installment of the Weekly Blog Roundup. Bloggers have been talking about Terry's recent endorsements, events, and reasons why it's not too late to become a Terry supporter.

As we head down the home stretch, we've seen some people switch their support from Brian Moran to Terry. Neal Osborne explained at Blue Commonwealth why Terry’s positive campaign has affected his decison.

Terry will be a happy warrior going into the fall campaign against Bob McDonnell and that is what we need. He can convey his plans to the voters in an enthusiastic way that will guarantee him independent (and yes, even Republican) votes. Some belittle Terry by saying he'll be a "cheerleader." Well, in these grave economic times, Virginia could use a cheerleader, especially one with progressive plans and ideas to fix Virginia's economy and get people back to work. Mark Warner brought fresh ideas to the governor's mansion. So did Tim Kaine. Now it's time to do it again and send Terry McAuliffe to Richmond.

And at Blue Virginia, Lowell provided a statement from Norfolk Young Democrats Vice President, Alexander Palmer, on why he recently decided to endorse Terry.

…After finally considering Terry, I realized he was in fact the most likely candidate to realize his agenda…Terry's relationships with political and business leaders around the nation can ensure that he can realize his agenda of improving Virginia and providing jobs. …Terry is also very well versed in the situation here in Virginia. Having attended a handful of events sponsored by his campaign and having seen him speak personally on three occasions, I can attest that Terry knows a great deal about the problems facing the Commonwealth….Terry is best suited for the job of Virginia's next governor. His enthusiasm and commitment to the party are something to be valued, as well as his numerous bold initiates. As a result of this, he has won my endorsement.

At Blue Commonwealth, teacherken reported on Terry’s endorsement from the 32BJ chapter of SEIU.

SEIU is well-noted for the ability to put boots on the ground. It is also a union with a high percentage of minority members…In a primary situation, the additional votes they can turn out could be critical.

Also writing on the endorsement, Josh Chernelia adds:

Macker momentum continues to build. Go Terry!

President Bill Clinton has been campaigning with Terry again this week, and Lowell at Blue Virginia has been tracking each stop. In Herndon, he shares a report from Mary Lee Cerillo who was there to support Terry.

The event today was fabulous. Weather was picture perfect. Crowd was lined up to get into the event as far as the eye could see. President Clinton spoke about what it was like when he was a Governor and the abilities that it takes to govern a state. He praised Terry McAuliffe and felt that he would be a fabulous governor for Virginia. Delegate Ken Plum spoke to the crowd about why he is endorsing Terry McAuliffe and feels that he has the best chance of winning in November. Terry expressed the importance of bringing jobs to Virginia and stated that he would work hard everyday to achieve that goal. I was glad I was able to attend and was pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm with the crowd and union members.

Sora Dina also attended a Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe rally in Annandale, and wrote about it in a diary at Blue Commowealth.

President Clinton also told the crowd something that I didn't know before. He said that Terry McAuliffe's father came from a working class background and never made more than $30,000 a year in his lifetime. It's amazing how far his intelligent son has come from that humble background. ...Terry McAuliffe, the gubernatorial candidate, spoke next. He told how proud he was to receive the recent endorsements from the League of Conservation Voters, the police union, SEIU and other endorsements. He spoke of his big ideas to bring jobs through alternative energy to Virginia, his education, transportation and other policies outlined in his "Business Plan for Virginia" posted at his website www.terrymcauliffe.com. ...I was excited and encouraged to see both of these very intelligent men lead the fight for Democratic victory both in the primary on June 9th and again in November.

Rachel, a Virginia mother who writes her own blog called If It Takes A Whole Life, wrote about visiting Terry and will.i.am at The Camel in Richmond on Monday, along with her son who shared a snack with the two.

We gave Gabriel the bag of goldfish on the way into the bar, slapped a campaign sticker on his shirt and made our way toward the crowd of folks waiting to meet the two headliners. Since Gabriel was the only kid in the joint, he stuck out. It wasn't long before he was in McAuliffe's arms. Our child, of course, remained completely unphased in the spotlight. In fact, he continued munching his goldfish as his mama (and a whole buncha journalists) paparazzied him with photos. Now, I can't remember whether McAuliffe asked for a fish (Gabriel's a very good sharer!) or Gabriel offered, but next thing I know, Gabriel's hand is in McAuliffe's mouth and he's feeding the former chair of the DNC lots of little fishies. Everyone ate it up (pun intended).

At Daily Kos, alankrishnan wrote about a good night out at the Clarendon Ballroom to see will.i.am and Biz Markie supporting Terry McAuliffe.

The music was preceded by a very inspiring speech. …will.i.am was profuse in his words, acknowledging what he has learned over the years from McAuliffe and why he now supports the candidature of McAuliffe to be the next Governor of Virginia. …Towards the end of his speech, McAuliffe appealed to every one to unite on June 10th and help the Democratic nominee fight Bob McDonnell. McAuliffe should surely win the award for "playing cricket" in Virginia Democratic nominee politics - maintaining the highest possible standards and not just not saying negative things about his candidates, but actually saying positive things about them, almost to the point of campaigning for his opponents!

At his blog The Daily Dogwood, Josh Chernila wrote about Tery’s well-organized, on-message campaign and his strong leadership skills that are essential for Virginia’s next governor.

The total of the McAuliffe campaign's success can be seen in the growing consensus. It ranges from national and local media down to just plain regular folks. It's the consensus that the Virginia Democratic primary has a leader named Terry McAuliffe, and chances are, he'll be Virginia's next Governor. You can buy staff. You can buy great communications. But an emerging sense of leadership excellence can't be bought, that's something you have to earn.

Tags: bill clinton, bloggers, blog roundup, blogs, business, economy, herndon, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, seiu, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup, will.i.am

McAuliffe Releases New Ad Highlighting Business Leadership

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement highlighting his business leadership experience turning the Federal City National Bank around. Within a year of being elected Chairman of FCNB in 1988, McAuliffe brought the bank out of the red, turned a profit and saved employees' jobs.

"Terry came in, put a team together, resolved the problems," Former FCNB Bank President Clyde Smith says in the ad. "He really cared about the people that worked at this bank."

"Terry looked out for us," former bank employee Melinda Taylor says in the ad. "He made sure we had jobs."

McAuliffe was 30 years old and, at that time, one of the youngest people ever elected chairman of a federally chartered bank

"I've spent 4 decades building businesses and creating jobs," says McAuliffe in the ad. "As Governor, I'll make it my job to protect your job."

The television ad will run on stations in the Richmond, Roanoke and Norfolk media markets.

The ad and supplemental document "Federal City National Bank - A McAuliffe Success Story" can be viewed here.

Tags: ad, business, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Bill Clinton rejoins McAuliffe for Virginia campaign encore

Washington Examiner
May 13, 2009
By William C. Flook

Former President Bill Clinton stumped for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe across Fairfax County on Wednesday, striking a fiscally hawkish tone as he described his close friend and longtime adviser.

Clinton, arriving characteristically late to a rally at Herndon’s Frying Pan Park, framed McAuliffe as the man to balance spending and restraint in the governor’s mansion, and who would “tell you the truth when something can’t be done and money can’t be spent.”

It was a clear overture to independent voters who haven’t made up their minds which, if any, of the three Democratic hopefuls they will vote for. McAuliffe faces former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria and State Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County in a June 9 primary.

Independents could be one of McAuliffe’s biggest obstacles. While a Public Policy Polling survey this month gave him a sizable overall lead over the two challengers, it also found him lagging Deeds and Moran with the unaffiliated voters.

Other polls have shown Moran leading the primary race, with Republican Bob McDonnell ahead of all three Democrats.

McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, served as Bill Clinton’s chief fundraiser during his presidency and was chairman of Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful presidential campaign last year.

“Everybody knows this guy raised a lot of money for me,” Bill Clinton said. “Every nickel he raised, he has talked to me about how to be careful spending it.”

McAuliffe, while promising to increase teacher salaries, offer tax incentives for renewable energy use and pay off the college loans of nurses and educators serving “high need areas,” did not explain how he would pay for the goals. He vowed not to propose tax increases while the economy remains sour.

“I don’t believe in raising taxes in a down economy,” he told the 300-person crowd in Herndon.

McAuliffe’s detractors have alternately dismissed the Clinton connection as a vestige of his time in national politics and used it as fodder for the argument that he lacks experience in Richmond that would qualify him for executive office.

He later spoke at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale.

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, economy, fairfax, frying pan park, herndon, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Receives Celebrity Endorsement

May 13th, 2009
Connection Newspapers
Julia O'Donoghue

While political opponents criticize Terry McAuliffe for accepting political donations from wealthy Californians, the Virginia gubernatorial candidate appears to be running toward, not away from, his West Coast connections.

Hip-hop artist will.i.am took an overnight plane from Los Angeles to Dulles International Airport to spend the day campaigning with McAuliffe in Virginia May 11.

The celebrity tour included an evening event at the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington County, where those willing to donate $20 to the McAuliffe campaign could see will.i.am perform in front of a small crowd. People willing to give $500 got the opportunity to meet the music producer at a VIP reception before the short concert.

Best known as the front man for The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am produced "Boom Boom Pow," currently the most popular song in the United States, according to www.billboard.com. He also appears in the new movie "X Men Origins: Wolverine," a box office success.

"I could be doing a lot of things with my time. … I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in this guy," said will.i.am about McAuliffe.

McAuliffe is vying for the Democratic nomination for governor and faces two opponents, former Alexandria Del. Brian Moran and Charlottesville area state Sen. Creigh Deeds, in a primary June 9. The candidate is the former chair of the Democratic National Committee as well as a friend and political advisor to former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

AT BEST, will.i.am has only tangential connections to Virginia.

The performer might have visited Virginia when The Black Eyed Peas played more college shows, he said. will.i.am is also paying for a student from Delaware to attend college at Hampton University, located in Virginia.

"I am here supporting the next governor of Virginia because my heart says so. I wish he was going to be in California but he is not," said will.i.am about McAuliffe.

The will.i.am event may not have done a whole lot to prove that McAuliffe has deep roots in Virginia, something that McAuliffe, a McLean resident of nearly 20 years, insists is true.

But the artist’s endorsement caught the attention of people who would not normally pay attention to the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Eugenia White, a Fairfax County employee, hadn’t been paying attention to Virginia’s gubernatorial race at all. She receives daily email updates from the McAuliffe campaign, but she never signed up for them. She thinks she only receives them because she was a volunteer for President Barack Obama’s campaign.

Still, the will.i.am appearance caught her eye and White decided that, for $20, she would attend the event. She also read up on McAuliffe and liked what she learned about the candidate. Now, she is trying to convince her friends to support him in the upcoming election.

"I will do what I can to promote him," said White.

McAULIFFE’S RELATIONSHIP with will.i.am is more than attention grabbing. It’s an example of the candidate’s moxy.

The Black Eyed Peas first caught McAuliffe’s eye when he was watching the group’s performance at the Grammy awards in 2004 on television. At the end of the song, will.i.am urged more young people to participate in the upcoming presidential election, where George W. Bush faced U.S. Sen John Kerry (D-Mass.)

Within a few days, McAuliffe, then chair of the Democratic National Committee, called will.i.am and asked to meet up at the organization’s headquarters in Washington D.C. Shortly thereafter, will.i.am started campaigning for Kerry around the country.

"In 2004, there was not another artist who did more than will.i.am," said McAuliffe.

The performer stayed active in politics, campaigning for Obama during the 2008 presidential election. He was also a headliner for the Obama inauguration concert on the National Mall in January.

AND WHILE McAuliffe may accept support from wealthy celebrities in California, the candidate made it clear he isn’t interested in taking money from Dominion Power’s political action committee, even though the utility company is the largest statewide donor to Virginia’s political campaigns.

"I have said I won’t take a check from Dominion Power," said McAuliffe, who is in favor of wind power and other forms of renewable energy he said Dominion has not been supportive of developing.

The ban does not extend to individual contributions from retired Dominion executives or current Dominion employees that do not come through the political action committee.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign donations, Dominion executives and employees have contributed, both through its political action committee and not, approximately $5.16 million to Virginia political campaigns since 1996.

The company is an equal opportunity contributor. It gave about 40 percent of those donations to Democrats and 50 percent to Republicans over the years. Nearly all members of the Northern Virginia delegation to the General Assembly have take money from Dominion.

Since 1996, Bob McDonnell — the Republican gubernatorial nominee who also served as a delegate and attorney general — has received $180,717 from Dominion Power. Moran has taken $46,800 and Deeds has received $57,200, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

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

Clinton and McAuliffe Stand Together in Herndon

Loudoun Independent
May 13, 2009
By John L. Geddie

For Democrats of a certain age, there is nothing closer to a quasi-religious experience than getting to hear Bill Clinton speak in person. That is at least partially why Terry McAuliffe, one of three Democrats vying for the gubernatorial nomination, brought out the big guns in the closing weeks of the primary campaign.

Even from a distance there is an obvious easy comfort between McAuliffe and Clinton, breed from a close working relationship between the two—most notably McAuliffe’s management of Clinton’s ’96 re-election campaign and strong support of Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

For his part, Clinton was mindful of the perception that his appearances with McAuliffe is payback for McAuliffe’s strong support in the past. While saying that “I’ve never had a better friend than Terry McAuliffe,” Clinton also told the audience about how he had quizzed McAuliffe about how the Virginia budget process works when he initially expressed interest. Clinton told the assembled audience that he was surprised and impressed by McAuliffe’s early understanding about how the state government operated.

Being able to manage state government through tough times is something else that Clinton knows about. As he reminded the crowd, before he was President, he was a governor. Both McAuliffe and Clinton voiced their support for the federal stimulus planned championed by President Barack Obama. However, it was strongly noted (to the crowd’s delight) that how successful the federal stimulus money is depends on who the next governor is.

Terry McAuliffe broke little new ground during the rally, instead focusing of the numerous goals and priorities that his campaign has laid out for a term as Virginia Governor. McAuliffe reiterated several recurring themes from his campaign, including “I go into a job wanting to be number one,” and “I don’t want my fair share. I want more than my fair share”—implying that this type of political lobbying and pushing from a candidate with new ideas is something that will not happen with his opposing candidates of both parties. McAuliffe’s policy emphasis remained on creating jobs using green technology, increasing per pupil education spending, alternative energy and high speed rail. High speed rail is also a White House priority, although McAuliffe talked specifically about high speed rail to both Richmond and Hampton.

Making the most of his rallying time, McAuliffe went out of his way to speak well of his primary opponents—Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds—calling them “great fellows” and saying that any of the three candidates running in the Democratic primary is far preferable to the Republican candidate Bob McDonnell. Perhaps transitioning to the tenor of a general election, McAuliffe called McDonnell on the carpet for “working against” the policies and reforms of Democratic governors Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

Referring to McDonnell’s recent opposition to President Barack Obama’s receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame University, McAuliffe said, “We don’t have time for these divisive tactics.”

McAuliffe also criticized McDonnell for supporting the House of Delegates’ recent decision to reject $125 million in federal stimulus funds to extend unemployment insurance to part-time workers and those seeking specific job training. “Your money is now going to another state,” said McAuliffe.

Rousing perhaps the strongest crowd response of the event, McAuliffe raised the issue of the national figures who have traveled to Virginia to support Republican Bob McDonnell, referring to recent events with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Noting that the Republicans are now planning events with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, McAuliffe said that he far preferred being able to bring in Bill Clinton.

If the primary election turns on star quality, McAuliffe should do very well. Each candidate plays to their strengths. While Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds are certainly expected to display intricate knowledge of how the state legislature works and know the names of the each county chairman. With McAuliffe’s experience as a businessman, fundraiser and former Democratic National Committee chairman, McAuliffe has the bar set high for him in terms of fundraising and bringing in high-profile endorsements and speakers from the national stage. So far, he has failed to disappoint.

The event drew a respectable crowd, estimated at over 300, at Herndon’s remote Frying Pan Park. However almost immediately after the Herndon rally, McAuliffe and Clinton almost set off for the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College where the duo presented their plan for Virginia to a crowd of approximately 450. Watching the preparation and post-rally breakdown, the large number of young people that McAuliffe has invigorated and integrated into his campaign is notable. The crowd attending the event seemed much more diverse in age and ethnic background. One older volunteer, Alan Krishnan, has been an McAuliffe supporter since before the candidate’s actual announcement. Called one of the campaign’s “super volunteers,” Krishnan is a former Moran contributor who became a McAuliffe convert after meeting him during last year’s campaign for Gerry Connelly.

Asked what made him change his support from Moran, Krishnan said, “He [Moran] is a great candidate, but over the last 12 months, the world has changed.”

Krishnan went on to say that reading McAuliffe’s book was a major factor in his support. He also added that he was pleasantly surprised that McAuliffe is just a “regular person” from humble beginnings who is “living the American dream.”

Tags: bill clinton, clinton, herndon, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe slams GOP candidate on jobs

Richmond Times Dispatch
May 12, 2009
By Jeff E. Schapiro

Pitching for the youth vote with will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame, Democrat Terry McAuliffe is unloading some boom, boom, pow on his would-be Republican opponent for governor.

While campaigning yesterday with the hip-hop star whose group's latest tune, "Boom, Boom, Pow," is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, McAuliffe attacked former Attorney General Bob McDonnell for defending House of Delegates Republicans' vote to block $125 million in federal funds for expanded jobless benefits.

"Once people understand it, they get outraged over it," said McAuliffe, noting that the money is available to Virginia for seven years to assist unemployed part-timers and those training for other jobs.

McAuliffe, one of three candidates for the Democratic nomination to be decided in a June 9 primary, unloaded on McDonnell during a stop yesterday with will.i.am that drew about 80 to The Camel, a Broad Street nightspot.

Will.i.am was instrumental in mobilizing young voters last year for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

The McDonnell campaign, rolling out its first television commercial apparently to deflect a Democratic ad attacking him on the unemployment issue, declined to comment on McAuliffe's broadside.

"We wish him the best of luck in his contested and tough primary," McDonnell spokesman J. Tucker Martin said.

McAuliffe was asked about the McDonnell advertisement, which is largely autobiographical but closes with a flourish that echoes one invoked by McAuliffe from the very start of his candidacy: job creation.

"They know it's about jobs -- it's about the economy," said McAuliffe, opposed for the Democratic nomination by state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria. "They see I'm getting a lot of traction with my economic argument. They're getting nervous."

Will.i.am, wearing a white toque, thick-soled, lace-up black patent leather shoes, shiny black trousers and a snug, slightly frayed militarylike jacket, joined McAuliffe in Hampton Roads, Richmond and Northern Virginia.

The recording artist and McAuliffe have not always been on the same side. While will.i.am backed Obama from the start of the 2008 race, McAuliffe led the campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

However, McAuliffe, as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, enlisted will.i.am as a party spokesman in 2004 on behalf of the party's unsuccessful presidential nominee, John Kerry.

Will.i.am, at least the second headliner behind former President Bill Clinton to stump for McAuliffe, described the McLean investor-businessman as the "guy who got me into politics."

Tags: arlington, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mcdonnell, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, will.i.am

VA GOV: SEIU For McAuliffe

Hotline On Call
May 12, 2009

A local chapter of the labor organization SEIU today endorsed Terry McAuliffe for VA GOV, citing the strength of his jobs plan in a release issued by McAuliffe's campaign.

The chapter -- 32BJ of the SEIU, which has over 3,500 members in VA -- also stressed McAuliffe's proposals to improve VA's health care, education and the state's transportation systems.

"Terry McAuliffe will be a strong advocate for working families that make our economy run but struggle to make ends meet," said Mike Fishman, 32BJ president. "He understands that improving wage and benefit standards is a top priority for workers and key to jump-starting our economy."

McAuliffe: "I am proud to have the support of the men and women who keep Virginia running. As Governor, I will help ensure that workers' rights are protected and that everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. If we all work together, I know we can get Virginia's economy back on track and continue to improve the quality of life for all Virginians."

This marks the fourth key labor endorsement for McAuliffe, who is vying with state Sen. Creigh Deeds and ex-Del. Brian Moran for the party's nomination. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Int'l Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the Virginia Professional Firefighters have each announced support for McAuliffe.

Tags: endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, seiu, services employees internation union, 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

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

Sneak Preview

I can hardly believe it. But at midnight tomorrow, we'll only have one month to go until Primary Day on June 9th. We've worked incredibly hard, and this is no time to let up.

Everywhere I go, when I talk about Terry's Business Plan for Virginia and the way he proposes to lead our Commonwealth through these tough economic times, people are eager to support his candidacy. But there are only so many places that Terry and I can be at once. With just 32 days until the election, we need your help to communicate Terry's message all over the Commonwealth. As a part of that effort, even I am taking to the airwaves to share a little bit of our personal story and why Terry has chosen to run.

I recorded a special TV ad for Terry that is set to air on Mother's Day. And if you make a contribution of $5 or more, you'll get to preview the ad before it hits the airwaves.

Click here to make a contribution and watch a sneak preview of my TV ad.

We've had a great week. Terry won a big endorsement from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, who noted that he has what it takes change the dynamics in Richmond and get things done.

And just yesterday, George Mason University political analyst Mark Rozell noted that, "McAuliffe is commanding the mass media and the political conversation."

But with so many undecided voters and one of our opponents already on television, we need your help to keep our momentum going. Please contribute before the fundraising deadline at midnight tomorrow. There's no time to spare.

Click here to make a contribution and watch a sneak preview of my TV ad.

Thanks to all of you who have been there with us and are joining us on this important journey on behalf of all Virginians. And most importantly, to all the moms out there who do so much for their families and communities every single day, have a very Happy Mother's Day.

Tags: ad, business plan, dorothy, dorothy mcauliffe, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mother's day, mothers, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia, virginia league of conservation voters

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

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Radio Ad Highlighting Plan to Ban Predatory Lenders

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new ad highlighting the predatory lending problems plaguing families across the Commonwealth and his plan to ban predatory lenders.

"Every day Virginia families struggle to make ends meet and sometimes they need a small loan to get by. But some loans come at too high [of] a price because legislation that was passed in Richmond in 2002 allowed predatory payday lenders to do business in Virginia," says a female announcer in the ad. "For Terry McAuliffe the solution is simple. He is the only candidate for Governor who proposed doing the right thing - ban all predatory lending in Virginia."

The radio ad will run on adult urban contemporary, gospel, and religious radio stations in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets. It was produced by Potomac Waves, a minority-owned and operated media consulting firm based in Washington, DC.

The ad can be heard here. For more information on Terry's plan, please visit http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/issues.

Tags: loans, macker, mcauliffe, predatory lenders, radio, radio ad, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

League of Conservation Voters backs McAuliffe

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters today endorsed former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor on June 9.

Board Chairman John Jaske of Rapidan said that while state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del Brian J. Moran of Alexandria have championed environmental causes in Virginia, "we believe that Mr. McAuliffe possesses the necessary qualities to lead as governor of Virginia on conservation and environmental issues so critical at this time."

League executive director Lisa Guthrie said the "dynamics of government in Virginia need to change dramatically" and said the board is "convinced that Terry McAuliffe has the broad vision and the contacts and requisite skills to meet challenges directly."

The league identified McAuliffe's priorities as promoting land preservation, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and investing in renewable energy with the proposal of building a wind farm off Virginia's coast.

"McAuliffe has a clear and complete understanding of the interconnections between land use, transportation, and energy generation and transmission" Guthrie said.

The endorsement by the 3,000 member, nonpartisan environmental group comes as a blow to Moran, the only Democratic candidate to state full opposition to a proposed coal-generated electric plant in Surry County.

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

Virginia Elected Officials, Local Police Union Endorse McAuliffe for Governor

Today, the Arlington Coalition of Police Union and elected officials from across the Commonwealth announced their support for gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, citing his plan to create jobs and his engagement with local leaders and elected officials throughout the campaign.

"Our police officers and other front-line public servants are feeling the strain of this recession," said Union President Ken Dennis. "We need a governor who is not only going to work to improve our economy here in Virginia, but who will partner with local police and government officials to tailor our path forward to the needs of individual local communities. Terry has not only demonstrated that he will be our partner in the governor's office, but that he will take seriously our input and ideas, and in doing so, will improve all of Virginia's communities."

"When I met Terry McAuliffe, I was immediately impressed with his knowledge of the challenges facing Virginia's cities and towns," added Albemarle County School Board Member Ron Price. "He is eager to engage, listen and collaborate with community leaders from every corner of the Commonwealth, and he shows the same passion for the problems faced by residents of Arlington as he does for those of Richmond, Hampton Roads, or Southwest Virginia. I saw immediately that Terry sincerely cares about what Virginians are going through. He wants to get into office to help the people he cares about. I believe that Terry is a leader that will be embraced all across Virginia."

A full list of the individuals endorsing today follows:

Ron Price - Vice Chair, Albemarle County School Board
Howard Copeland - Former State Delegate
Marlene Randall - Portsmouth City Council Member
Suhas Naddoni - Manassas Park City Council Member
Sherman Lea - Vice Mayor, Roanoke
Ross Kearney, Former Hampton Mayor and City Council Member

Tags: arlington coalition of police union, endorsement, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, police, police union, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

The only poll that matters

All of the hard work you've done is starting to make a big difference, according to the latest public polling. After showing Brian Moran in the lead last month, yesterday Public Policy Polling confirmed that Terry McAuliffe has a double digit lead.

PPP noted that, "This is the fourth time PPP has polled this contest and the first time one of the candidates has broken away from the pack." These numbers come just after last week's Survey USA poll, which also showed Terry with a double-digit lead.

I've always said that we need to take public polls with caution - especially computer-generated ones. The only poll that really matters is the one on Election Day, and that's why it's so important that we keep the pedal to the metal for the next 34 days.

With so many undecided voters, and one of our opponents now running television ads, we need your help now more than ever. We need the resources to respond to their attacks, communicate Terry's positive message of job creation, and bring our people to the polls. In order to fully fund our operation, we need your help to raise $20,000 by the May 9th fundraising deadline.

Click Here to Make a Donation Before May 9th - even as little as $5 can make a big difference - and Fund Our Operation for the Final Month.

The trends in these polls are too big to ignore. The more people hear about our candidates for governor, the more they respond to Terry's message of job creation and economic growth.

PPP noted that "McAuliffe has done a very good job of building up support in areas where none of the candidates have an inherent regional base," and that we've "developed particularly commanding leads" among women and African-Americans.

But with just 34 days to go, we urgently need your help to sustain this momentum.

Click Here to Make a Donation Before May 9th - even as little as $5 can make a big difference - and Fund Our Operation for the Final Month.

Thanks so much for all of your help. Everything we've accomplished so far is due to that hard work you've put in from the very beginning. We can't let up now.

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

Green group endorses McAuliffe in Va. race

May 6th, 2009
Associated Press
Bob Lewis

RICHMOND, Va. - Terry McAuliffe got the endorsement of a national environmental advocacy group in Virginia's three-man Democratic gubernatorial primary.

The League of Conservation Voters endorsed the former Democratic National Committee chairman Wednesday even though his rival, Brian Moran, is more outspoken against new coal-fired power plants.

Moran is the only candidate who flatly opposes a proposed coal-fired plant in the Tidewater community of Surry. McAuliffe and Creigh (Cree) Deeds say they need to see more research.

Moran also opposes offshore drilling for oil or gas, while McAuliffe says he supports drilling for gas alone.

In a release announcing the endorsement, the League tipped its hat to McAuliffe's call for sinking wind-driven turbines that generate electricity off the Virginia coast.

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

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

The record to create jobs

Terry has a long, successful career as an entrepreneur with 13 years experience running large organizations. This morning the Washington Post examined some of the work Terry's done -- creating thousands of jobs and turning around struggling institutions. I want to make sure you've had a chance to read it.

When Terry sees opportunities, he finds ways to make them happen. He started his first business when he was just 14 years old, paving driveways so he could pay for college. At age 30, he was elected one of the youngest people to ever serve as Chairman of a federally chartered bank, which had fallen on some hard times. Terry came in, replaced the leadership team, brought in new capital, and turned things around. At a time when the federal government has had to rescue so many banks that couldn't sustain themselves, we've got a candidate who saved one from failure.

The only way we are going to fix our economic crisis and create jobs is with big bold ideas and outside-the-box thinking. And that is exactly the kind of leadership Terry will bring to the governor's office.

In his private business ventures, Terry's jumpstarted companies and structured deals that were mutually beneficial to the parties involved. As governor, we can count on him to use that same go-get-'em attitude to bring jobs to the Commonwealth. The fact that Terry knows so many business leaders personally will only enhance his ability to sell companies on the benefits of locating their operations in Virginia.

Throughout this campaign, Terry's stayed positive, and remained focused on the issues. At town halls across the Commonwealth, he's answered every tough question that's been asked of him. No one has been more accountable to Virginians about his record and agenda than Terry McAuliffe. He wouldn't have it any other way.

We only have 36 more days to communicate Terry's message of economic opportunity across Virginia. You've been there every step of the way, and we're counting on your help until the very end.

Read the Washington Post article on TerryMcAuliffe.com. Then get more facts about Terry's experience creating jobs.

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

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

Martinsville Vice Mayor Kimble Reynolds Jr. Endorses McAuliffe for Governor

Martinsville Vice Mayor Kimble Reynolds Jr. today endorsed Terry McAuliffe for Governor, citing his decades of experience creating jobs and turning businesses around. As Vice Mayor, Reynolds has helped to lead a city with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, today a daunting 20.2 percent, and has served in the city government since 2004.

"As Vice Mayor, I've seen first-hand what happens when jobs disappear and the unemployment rate climbs," said Reynolds. "I've called Martinsville home for a long time, and Virginians here are looking for a leader who will bring economic opportunities back to our city and open up new avenues of growth throughout the Commonwealth. I firmly believe that Terry McAuliffe will be that leader."

McAuliffe's Business Plan for Virginia includes sections devoted to creating jobs in hard-hit areas. His ideas include specialized tax incentives aimed at creating good jobs with benefits in high-need areas by rewarding businesses for locating high-growth industry jobs in Virginia. McAuliffe has also pledged to target his efforts through state partnerships with regional leaders, and the creation of a Governor's Regional Economic Advisory Committee to advise him on the unique economic issues faced by each region of the Commonwealth.

Said McAuliffe, "I am honored to have Vice Mayor Reynolds' endorsement. It is heartbreaking to see hardworking Virginian men and women whose jobs have just disappeared. Right now, we are facing some of the worst economic conditions since the Depression, but I truly believe that with the right leadership, we can create high-quality new jobs and ensure that every Virginian who wants to work has a place to work. As a businessman and entrepreneur, I know what it takes to make that happen, and I look forward to partnering with local leaders like Vice Mayor Reynolds to build our economy."

Tags: business plan, economy, endorsements, jobs, kimble reynolds, kimble reynolds jr, macker, mcauliffe, 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

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

McAuliffe Unveils Chapter 5 of Business Plan for Virginia

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the fifth chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which highlights his plans to modernize Virginia's transportation system. Discussing the need for expanded rail, including high-speed, and modernizing the Port of Virginia, McAuliffe said improved transportation would be critical to Virginia's economic growth.

"A 21st Century transportation system is essential to growing Virginia's economy," McAuliffe said. "We cannot attract new industries and the good jobs they would create without the guarantee that business will be able to move goods and services quickly. That's why I'm proposing a different approach - one that is focused on getting cars off the roads and encouraging intermodal forms of transportation."

While McAuliffe emphasized that he would not raise taxes in a down economy, he said that the state would need to have an honest discussion regarding revenue once the economy recovers. While the economy is recovering, McAuliffe has proposed continuing the progress made under Governor Tim Kaine to better integrate land use, transportation, and economic development planning, as well as measures to further engage "smart roadways" technologies and innovative solutions like teleworking, to help manage congestion.

"Terry understands that a strong transportation system is an essential part of growing our local economies," Loudon County Board of Supervisors member Andrea McGimsey said. "Businesses want to locate where their employees and vendors can get around easily, and parents lose valuable time stuck in traffic that they could be spending with their kids. Terry has developed a plan that will both boost economic competitiveness and improve the quality of life for working families across the Commonwealth."

When funds are available, McAuliffe pledged to prioritize the expansion of rail, including high-speed, passenger, and freight. To identify potential private partners and fast-track the construction of high speed rail linking Richmond to Washington and Hampton Roads, McAuliffe said he would appoint a High Speed Rail Task Force. Additionally, McAuliffe said he would complete the expansion of Metro service to Dulles Airport and expand freight and passenger service along the I-95, I-81, and US-29 Corridors.

"I think Terry McAuliffe really understands the need to invest in high-speed and intercity rail, and Chapter 5 of his business plan for Virginia really shows that," said Sandy Duckworth, a former member of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. "It is more than a sound bite, but real policies for getting high-speed rail to Richmond and Hampton Roads. While Terry is Governor, we are going to take cars and trucks off our roads, save thousands of gallons of gas, and reinvest in our future by investing in high-speed rail."

McAuliffe also called for making the Port of Virginia the most competitive port on the East Coast. Discussing the need for port modernization and maintenance projects, McAuliffe said the port must prepare for the the opening of a third set of locks at the Panama Canal, which will increase the flow of international ships to the east coast. Expanding Route 58 to allow for easy access to potential distribution facilities would also be critical.

The full chapter can be found online at https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8102/images/Chapter5.

Tags: business plan, highways, macker, mcauliffe, ports, rail, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, va-gov, virginia

False and Negative

People at the highest levels of Brian Moran's campaign have been flinging mud at Terry McAuliffe for months -- and today is no exception.

Several of Moran's top strategists distributed a false, negative attack ad against Terry - accusing him of planning to fill our beaches with oil rigs, even though Terry opposes drilling for oil offshore.

These types of false attacks exact a real cost on our political process, and I'm sick of it. But that's where we're headed. As UVA Professor Larry Sabato noted recently, Moran plans to engage in "negative campaigning with all its risks."

That's why we're counting on your help to fight back right now. This race is neck and neck. We only have 46 days until the election, and it's going to come right down to the wire. By making a contribution before the April 30th fundraising deadline, you're not only funding our efforts to set the record straight, you're also proving that when Brian Moran's campaign attacks Terry, it actually strengthens our grassroots effort to make him our next governor.

Click here to make a contribution and help fight back against Brian Moran's attacks.

Time and time again, the Moran campaign has shown it's far more interested in tearing down Terry than promoting a positive vision for Virginia. One of their top consultants even wrote this week that he's "too busy trying to defeat Terry McAuliffe."

Our Commonwealth faces serious challenges, and our political discourse must rise to a level commensurate with them. That's exactly what Terry's done in this campaign. The Richmond Times Dispatch wrote that "McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring." The newspaper said that "his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign."

This is crunch time. We're coming down the home stretch, and we need your help to communicate Terry's positive message across Virginia.

Please make a contribution before April 30th. There's no time to spare.

Click here to make a contribution to help Terry win - and help him win the right way.

Thanks so much for all you've done. This campaign is about you, and we're counting on you until the very end.

Tags: brian moran, commonwealth, macker, mcauliffe, moran, positive, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Dorothy McAuliffe visits Prince William campaign office

Inside Nova
Tuesday, April 23, 2009
By Jonathan Hunley

Virginia won’t elect a governor until November, but the campaigning is going strong on the Prince William Parkway.

Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has opened a campaign office in the Ridgewood Center, an office park that’s right next to the longtime home of the Prince William County Republican Committee on the parkway.

Being so close to the opposition, however, didn’t quell any of the enthusiasm of McAuliffe’s supporters as they welcomed the candidate’s wife to Woodbridge on Tuesday.

Fifteen loyalists came out on the rainy evening to see Dorothy McAuliffe, as she visited the campaign’s Prince William headquarters.

They joined paid campaign staffers in telling stories about why they support Terry McAuliffe in his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

The Clinton confidante faces former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County in a primary June 9. The winner will face presumptive GOP nominee Bob McDonnell on Nov. 3.

Collette White, who’s lived in Montclair for 25 years, said she thinks McAuliffe has “common sense.”

She likes the candidate so much that she’s been making phone calls on his behalf. She said McAuliffe has a lot of name recognition with those with whom she speaks.

That’s not the case with his Democratic rivals.

Some people confuse Moran with his brother, who’s a Northern Virginia congressman. The senator from Bath County fares worse.

“Nobody’s heard of Deeds,” White said.

“In my view, the biggest issue we face is the economy,” said Jim White, who’s an attorney for the energy company TransCanada.

That business experience is something the campaign has touted from the beginning, and Dorothy McAuliffe continued that tradition.

She mentioned how her husband started his first business — a paving company —when he was 14.

“It’s what he’s done his whole life,” she said, noting that, back in those early days, everyone in McAuliffe’s boyhood home was required to answer the phone, “McAuliffe Driveway Maintenance.”

Having spent that much time in business, however, has meant Terry McAuliffe has never before served in elected office, though he’s been a tireless fundraiser for others.

The lack of that specific political experience has been a criticism of McAuliffe. But, after her remarks to supporters, his wife said that talk has died down after several weeks of campaigning.

“I think we’re over that,” she said.

On the other hand, no one has seemed to question McAuliffe’s ability to put together a strong campaign.

Even before he got into the race in January, political observers figured he would be able to raise enough money to assemble a structured, cohesive effort.

Along those lines, Dorothy McAuliffe was pleased to hear her husband’s name was the most well-known among the people Collette White has telephoned.

She said that’s a testament to the work of McAuliffe supporters.

“I think that’s what organization can do for you,” she said.

Tags: dorothy, dorothy mcauliffe, macker, mcauliffe, prince william, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

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

Gardening at William & Mary

What a day! The weather turned gorgeous just in time to celebrate Earth Day. On the same day that President Obama toured a wind energy facility in Iowa, I got the chance to spend some time with Virginians doing their own small part to help create a sustainable and clean future. A few weeks back, Students For a Better Williamsburg invited me down to do some Earth Day gardening at their campus garden and talk about my ideas and plans.

Boy am I glad I went. These young people are doing pretty amazing things in their Environmental Action Coalition. Together, we planted rows of broccoli. The young activists tell me they’re working with the student kitchen and other aid organizations in Williamsburg to get the fresh broccoli incorporated into meals that will feed low income and elderly people in town. Most of the young student “farmers” tell me they are involved in various environmental activities on and off campus as well. A young lady named Virginia Jenkins is in her junior year, majoring in Spanish and Environmental Policy—but spends many days interning at a nearby farm. It is young people like Virginia who represent the future of the Commonwealth, merging traditional studies with environmental themes to help work toward a better tomorrow. Green policies make up a cornerstone of my campaign.

If we make investments in preserving our environment now, it will bring thousands of jobs to the commonwealth and help to reverse the harmful effects of climate change. I’ve spent my life building businesses, turning around struggling ones, and volunteering for the Democratic causes that I believe in. I am confident that we can do right by the environment and position our state for future economic success, but it will take strong leadership and bold ideas that don’t always come from Richmond. And I believe we need to start planning now.

My Business Plan for Virginia contains incentives for renewable power generation, investments in efficiency measures, and other demand-reducing technologies, including incentives for technologies that produce energy from biomass, such as chicken waste. As Governor, I’ll work with the State Corporation Commission to set a mandatory target for energy efficiency. I’ll focus on reducing demand for energy and investing in clean, renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar. I’ll make cleaning up the Bay a priority of my administration. And, I’ll support efforts to increase protection of open space in Virginia, including a dedicated revenue source for open space protection. I want to make Virginia a leader and a national model for Green Energy and Green Jobs. And when you look around on a day like today— with clear blue skies overhead and warm air all around-- you get it. Our Commonwealth is a beautiful place and we all have to do our part to keep it that way.

Tags: 2009, earth day, economic growth, economy, gardening, governor, jobs, mcauliffe, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, william & mary

Gubernatorial Primary Candidates Have No Historical Roadmap To Follow As They Navigate The Commonwealth

National Journal
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
By Amy Walter

What can a rainy day with some bony fish in Wakefield, Va., tell you about the state of the Democrats in the Virginia governor's race? More than you would expect.

There was probably a time when the spring Shad Planking was the political event of the year. How candidates did among this southern Virginia crowd could tell you something about their chances in the fall campaign. Today, it feels pretty insignificant. The average age at this year's edition on April 15 was probably 60 (not counting the candidates' volunteers). There were few undecided voters there, and reporters almost outnumbered them.

And, most important, a muddy field in the middle of Sussex County in Southeast Virginia where beer's served up in cups adorned with a confederate flag isn't exactly the kind of venue where Virginia's suburban residents -- the true swing voters in the commonwealth -- or Democratic primary voters in general would feel at home.

So, what were Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran doing there? And why didn't Creigh Deeds join them?

This gets to the heart of the problem for Democrats trying to game out the June 9 primary. At first glance, it seems like a pretty easy race to handicap. In a campaign where, in the last public polling, 41 percent of Democrats were undecided, resources matter more than anything. There's one guy who has more resources than any other Democrat: McAuliffe. And the Shad Planking was an opportunity for McAuliffe to show off that bounty. He had thousands of signs, lots of cheery, T-shirt-clad staff, even a guy in a chicken suit wearing a diaper to emphasize his plan for turning chicken waste into energy.

Yet, it's almost impossible to know just how many Democrats are going to turn out. There have been very few statewide Democratic primaries in recent years, meaning that there's no historical roadmap for the candidates to follow. Here are two really important numbers to remember: 155,784 and 986,203. The first: the number of people who voted in the 2006 Senate primary between Jim Webb and Harris Miller. The second: the number of Virginians who voted in the February 2008 Democratic presidential primary. This means that the number of people voting in this year's primary is somewhere between 150,000 and 1 million.

This makes polling and targeting very, very difficult. Any public polling on this race should be taken with a very big grain of salt. After all, no one has any idea just how "likely" these "likely voters" will be.

Given the real lack of sizzle this race has produced thus far, and the fact that none of the Democratic candidates is particularly well known, it's more likely that turnout will be in the 150,000-to-170,000 range. And the lower the turnout in June, the harder it may be to re-energize those Obama voters in November. Obviously, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner ran and won in the pre-Obama era. But this will be the first real test of how engaged '08 voters will be in off-year elections. For example, 160,000 people voted in Fairfax County in the presidential primary, an almost fivefold increase from the 2006 Senate primary (35,500 voters). In Loudoun County, turnout was almost eight times higher (35,000 in '08 to 4,000 in '06).

We also know that Northern Virginia is the heart of the primary vote. In '06, 33 percent of the vote came from the 8th District (Arlington and Alexandria) and the 11th (Fairfax). Throw in the 10th District (Loudoun) and the 1st (Prince William and Stafford), and that's a little more than 50 percent of the vote.

That brings us back to the southern part of the state and Deeds. As the only candidate in the primary from southern Virginia, he benefits if Moran and McAuliffe split up Northern Virginia. And, with $1.2 million in the bank, he's got enough money to have an impact. This is probably why you didn't see him at the Shad Planking. It seems he made the decision that he's going to hold on to every dollar until the end. Why spend money on signs and T-shirts to try and sway a handful of (committed) voters in Wakefield when you need every dime (and more) to raise your profile and get out your message to truly uncommitted Democrats?

But this is where the money piece becomes instructive. If McAuliffe were only a Northern Virginia guy with limited cash reserves, he'd have to worry about where to concentrate his resources. Instead, he'll have the money to play all parts of the state. He's already up on TV in Hampton Roads. Meanwhile, given what I saw at the Shad Planking, his campaign is not likely to skimp on the ground effort, either.

However, given what's likely to be a small number of voters, the law of diminishing returns is a real consideration here. McAuliffe's detractors point to his upside-down favorable/unfavorable ratings in some polling as a sign that spending more money doesn't necessarily win over more voters. However, McAuliffe's favorable ratings among Democratic voters are in line with the other Democratic candidates.

The numbers game gives McAuliffe every advantage. And he hasn't made any mistakes. But given the uncertainty about turnout, and historical evidence that shows the best-funded candidates don't always come out on top, it's still not a slam dunk for the Macker.

Tags: fundraising, macker, mcauliffe, shad planking, sussex, t-mac, terry, 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

Local 1 of Virginia, Maryland, and DC of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Endorses Terry McAuliffe for Governor

Today, Local 1 of Virginia, Maryland, and DC of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers announced that it and its over 700 members in the state of Virginia have endorsed Terry McAuliffe's campaign for Governor.

Citing his decades of experience creating jobs and turning around struggling businesses, BAC Local 1 said McAuliffe is the gubernatorial candidate best suited to get Virginia's economy back on track.

"Terry McAuliffe is our choice for governor, because he has the right experience to turn our economy around and build good, green jobs here in the Commonwealth," read a statement from the Local's endorsement committee. "As masons and tradespeople, we're all about building for the future -- and Terry's commitment to investing in infrastructure development and growing the economy are exactly what Virginia's working families need."

McAuliffe, who was previously endorsed by the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, and the Boilermakers, thanked the Bricklayers for their support and pledged to put Virginians back to work as Governor.

"I'm honored to have the support of the Bricklayers," McAuliffe said. "As Virginia's governor I will wake up every day thinking about how we can create good jobs and get our economy back on track."

Tags: bricklayers, economy, endorsements, international union of bricklayers and allied craftworkers, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, 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

Va. Dems for governor spar at first debate

Bluefield Daily Telegraph
April 19, 2009

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s three Democratic candidates for governor traded barbs over campaign fundraising Sunday and differed on who is best qualified to build on the legacies of Gov. Tim Kaine and his predecessor, Mark Warner.

Brian Moran, Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe touched on the economy, the death penalty, the state’s gay marriage ban and gun control during a 90-minute debate at the College of William and Mary. The debate is the first of five before the June 9 primary.

McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and chief fundraiser for the presidential campaigns of Bill and Hillary Clinton, was put on the defensive for raising the vast majority of his campaign funds from out of state.

“I’ve got a lot of friends,” said McAuliffe, whose donor list includes Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. McAuliffe has raised about $5 million, more than both of his opponents combined.

“Terry raises money in places I’ve never been — Park Avenue and Hollywood,” Moran said.

But Moran also had to answer for taking about $80,000 in contributions from defense contractors with business before a congressional committee that includes his brother, Rep. James Moran. Deeds asked McAuliffe if he thought those donations violated campaign finance laws.

“You should refer that to the U.S. attorney’s office, man, I can’t get into all that,” McAuliffe said.

Said Moran: “These are Virginia companies with Virginia employees who are protecting Virginians overseas and here at home.”

Deeds also targeted both of his opponents’ fundraising in his closing statement.

“Our party will no longer be the party of the middle class if our nominee for governor is beholden to Donald Trump or Wall Street executives or to tainted defense contractors, who have received millions in earmarks from an older brother in Congress,” Deeds said.

The winner of the primary will face former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination, in the general election. Moran and Deeds said that as state legislators, they supported Warner and Kaine’s initiatives while McDonnell largely opposed them.

But McAuliffe said Virginia needs a governor who, like Warner and Kaine, is not a product of the legislature. He said he has created thousands of jobs as a homebuilder and in other businesses — experience he said would help him do the same as the state’s chief executive.

“To say you are creating jobs as governor is not accurate,” Deeds said. “You create an environment for the private sector to create jobs.”

On specific issues, the candidates’ differences were nuanced. For example, all said they opposed Virginia’s 2006 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions, but Moran said he would fight to repeal it. McAuliffe said “that’s just not going to happen” because it would require approval in two legislative sessions.

Deeds voted to put the measure on the ballot but said he voted against it.

None of the candidates flatly rejected the idea of raising the gasoline tax to raise money for transportation, although McAuliffe sounded more opposed than the others: “In a down economy, you don’t want to be taking more money out of people’s pockets.”

All three candidates said they support the death penalty and closing a loophole that allows people to buy firearms at gun shows without undergoing a criminal background check. They also vowed to make transportation improvements a priority — a goal that eluded Kaine during his four-year term.

Moran mentioned that he is the only candidate who opposes construction of a 1,500-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Surry County because of concerns it could worsen pollution of the nearby Chesapeake Bay. McAuliffe touted his proposal to generate power from windmills off the Virginia Beach coast.

The debate was sponsored by the Farm Team, an organization formed last September to promote the election of women to public office.

Tags: debate, fundraising, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Campaign finances highlight Democrats’ debate

Richmond Times Dispatch
April 19, 2009
By Olympia Meola

WILLIAMSBURG -- Campaign contributions sparked the most pointed jabs today as the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates did little to highlight their policy differences in their first debate.

Former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and Terry McAuliffe of McLean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, hit on a wide range of issues from the state's ban on gay marriage (they all oppose it) to teacher salaries (they all want to raise them).

During the largely civil 90-minute debate before an audience of 500 people at the College of William and Mary, some of the most heated discussion surrounded campaign finances.

Moran's fundraising report for the first quarter included $80,000 he collected from 18 contractors that are longtime backers of his brother, Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th, a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

Deeds asked McAuliffe whether those contributions violated federal campaign laws.

"You should refer that to the U.S. attorney's office," McAuliffe said.

Moran defended the contributions, saying: "These are Virginia companies with Virginia employees who are protecting Virginians overseas and here at home."

McAuliffe brought in cash from big names in the first quarter, including former President Bill Clinton and real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump.

"Terry's fundraised in places I've never been -- Park Avenue, Hollywood," Moran said.

Deeds punctuated his closing remarks by saying the Democrats will not be the party of the middle class if the party's nominee is beholden to Donald Trump or defense contractors.

"We will have lost our way if we allow the Wall Street establishment or corrupt political establishment to control our agenda for the next four years," Deeds said.

The candidates all talked about fixing the state's transportation woes. Moran said that last year Deeds did not support the transportation proposal that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine called the legislature into special session to consider. Deeds backed a Senate plan that included a gas tax.

Moran said, "When [Kaine] needed people to stand with him . . . I stood with him at his press conference. I didn't see you there."

None of the candidates pledged not to raise taxes.

They showed a slight difference on guns -- Deeds supported legislation to allow concealed weapons in bars -- but they all support closing the so-called gun-show loophole.

All opposed the ban on gay marriage and civil unions but Moran said he would work to repeal it.

"Treating our gay and lesbian Virginians equally is important to me," Moran said.

McAuliffe said the ban would be hard to repeal because it would take two legislative votes in separate years. He and Deeds said their focus would be primarily on other things, such as job creation.

"What do the citizens of Virginia want their governor fighting on?" McAuliffe asked. "They need jobs."

The debate was sponsored by the Farm Team, whose mission is to recruit, mentor and elect women to public office. Andrea Mitchell, NBC news chief foreign affairs correspondent, moderated the event.

The Democrats have four more debates ahead of the June 9 primary. Polls continue to show has a hefty slice of undecided voters.

The Democratic nominee will face off in November against Republican Bob McDonnell.

Tags: civil rights, debate, fundraising, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, va-gov, virginia, williamsburg

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

Why I’m with Terry

Augusta Free Press
April 17, 2009
Chris Graham

You want to know where Terry McAuliffe had me? You could say at hello. “You can’t keep cutting, and you can’t raise taxes. So we’ve got to get a new economic engine going here in Virginia, and we’ve got to get a plan going. Where do we want to be 10, 20, 30 years from today in our economic strategy? We can’t just think, We’ve got to get through this current crisis.”

That was McAuliffe at a stop on his statewide announcement tour back in January in Harrisonburg. Since then he’s been rolling out his Business Plan for Virginia, detailing how Virginia needs to approach its energy future, transportation and public education with economic development and growth in mind.

To harken back to one of McAuliffe’s political mentors, it really is the economy, stupid. And to borrow from something U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said in a town-hall meeting Thursday in Staunton, we’ve had enough of politicians who are full of policy pronouncements and promises galore on the issues of the day and conclude by promising oh, yeah, I’m going to lower your taxes, too.

This is what I see out of our tired old Virginia Republican friends, who have been reduced to a pitiful caricature of their former commonsense conservative selves in recent years with their kowtowing to their small but vocal ultralibertarian faction on state spending. Their We Haven’t Met a Spending Cut We Wouldn’t Like philosophy works fine when cuts are made in areas where efficiencies are an issue, for example with the Virginia Department of Transportation that Mark Warner inherited from George Allen and Jim Gilmore that was consistent only in that it couldn’t get jobs done on-time or on-budget.

We’ve been a couple of years at least since we had cut our way through the fat to the muscle of state government, and now we’re beginning to saw through to the bones at the heart of the skeletal structure of state government, with no end to this otherwise pointless exercise in sight, unless you assume that one day the government-haters are successful in disbanding the very bonds of civilized society altogether.

McAuliffe’s approach to looking to economic growth as the way to move Virginia forward isn’t unique in the telling - even Bob McDonnell will tell you that his is a pro-business agenda - so the devil isn’t so much in the details as in looking at the candidates who would be our governor and examining their business backgrounds. Doing that, McAuliffe stands not only head and shoulders above the candidates in the gubernatorial field, including McDonnell on the Republican side, but really stands alone. McAuliffe has not only balanced budgets with an eye to the bottom line, but he has had to carry the responsibility of growing revenues by growing business in a way that no one with experience only in a government or corporate bureaucracy could ever understand.

I understand it. I wake up every morning wondering how my business is going to make it to tomorrow, and devising strategies to get to tomorrow and six months and a year and 10 years from now knowing that failure is not an option.

As a small businessman, I look at this hire, of the next governor of Virginia, as being perhaps the most important hire that we Virginians will make in a generation. We’ve got critical needs to address in transportation, K-12 and higher education and our economy that we have been delayed from addressing fully the past eight years by our libertarian Republican friends who can’t see beyond the noses on their faces much less see the damage that we’re doing to the future of our Commonwealth. We need to hire as our next governor someone who has the background that tells us that he will hit the ground running knowing that we don’t have a day to waste if we’re going to keep moving Virginia forward.

That’s why I’m endorsing Terry McAuliffe for governor. Because frankly, we don’t have the luxury of screwing this one up.

Tags: business, business plan, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, taxes, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, 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

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

McAuliffe Releases New Ad Highlighting New Energy Ideas

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new television advertisement highlighting his ideas for harnessing new energy technology to create jobs and promote a cleaner environment throughout the Commonwealth.

"As Governor, I'll put my experience investing in the alternative energy field to work for all of Virginia," says McAuliffe in the ad. "We'll attract new business, create thousands of renewable energy jobs, and together we can build a stronger economy and a clearner environment."

The television ad will run on stations in the Richmond and Hampton Roads media markets. The ad can be viewed at http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/new-tv-spot-highlights-new-energy-ideas.

Tags: ad, business, hampton roads, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, renewable energy, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tv ad, va-gov, virginia

Shad Planking: Moran, McAuliffe and McDonnell woo voters in Wakefield

Daily Press
April 16, 2009
By Kimball Payne

Cloudy skies and the occasional drop did little to dampen the atmosphere at the 61st annual Shad Planking Wednesday as three gubernatorial candidates finished up speeches just before a wall of rain moved over Wakefield.

The rural, political festival is an annual rite of spring in Virginia, where candidates past, present and future glad hand with the partisan faithful and woo voters with free beer trucks, ham biscuits, bumper stickers and cigars. Former Republican governors Jim Gilmore and George Allen were both working the crowd Wednesday, along with state lawmakers and a handful folks running for Lt. governor and attorney general.

But the focus was clearly on this year's race for governor between Democrats Brian Moran, Sen. Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe and Republican Bob McDonnell. The Shad Planking — hosted by the Wakefield Ruritan Club — allows each candidate to deliver a lighthearted speech with some one-liners and also flex some campaign muscle.

Wednesday's partisan free-for-all and fish fry marks the symbolic start of the race, especially for the three Democrats working to draw attention to a spring campaign and a June primary through the hangover fog of the presidential campaign trail. McAuliffe, Deeds and Moran kick off a series of debates and joint appearances around the state this weekend in Williamsburg, a slate that should help raise the profile of the race. With minuscule turnout expected in June, it's nearly impossible to handicap the race.

But the Shad Planking offered a clear window into the various campaigns.

McAuliffe and his team descended on the event early, securing prime real estate for nearly 25,000 campaign signs that littered the roads leading to the planking. About 60 McAuliffe staffers dressed up in handmade T-shirts, hooting and hollering and spelling out slogans. One staffer even donned a full-size chicken outfit to promote McAuliffe's plan to turn chicken waste into alternative energy, and a single prop plane circled overhead encouraging the crowd to "Vote Terry."

McDonnell's team also put up thousands of campaign signs, staking out spots with high-visibility spots along U.S. 460 for picnic-table sized signs. McDonnell had oversized signs propped out in front of a handful of local businesses including a bait and tackle shop, a mechanic and a firearms dealer with a sign boasting "Obama — gun salesman of the year."

Moran opted to avoid the sign fray and focus on the campaign's beer tent — where the Beatles' song "Can't Buy me Love" was playing on repeat — an unsubtle dig at McAuliffe's ability to raise heaps of campaign cash.

Moran's cups also carried slogans that were clearly directed at McAuliffe — "Money isn't everything. Fighting for Virginia is."

Meanwhile, Deeds sent some family members and a beer truck but skipped the planking to campaign in southwestern Virginia.

When the candidates took the stage after a few hours of handshaking and politicking, each one offered up some partisan punch lines.

McDonnell was the first up, instantly stirring the pot for Democrats by alluding to the sometimes edgy race between McAuliffe and Moran.

"I think it's only fitting that we're standing in a lot of mud right now," McDonnell said.

McDonnell also poked McAuliffe for his prolific spending.

"I really want to thank Terry for the $2.6 million he's pumped into the Virginia economy over the past few months," he said.

McAuliffe, attending his first Shad Planking, joked that McDonell's speech provided an alternative source of energy.

"I don't need any windmills off Virginia Beach," he said. "I've got Bob McDonnell talking."

He also mentioned a photo snapped by one of his people, of a car with a McDonnell bumper sticker and a trunk full of McAuliffe signs. He asked McDonnell to have the volunteer give the signs back.

Moran said he was a little late getting to the Shad Planking.

"I heard there was a pedestrian accident," Moran said, "but it was actually Bob McDonnell throwing Jeff Frederick under the bus."

Frederick, the recently ousted chairman of the state GOP, was nowhere to be seen.

Moran also joked about McAuliffe's newcomer status.

"It became obvious that it was his first (Shad Planking) when he started setting up a martini bar," Moran said.

Tags: macker, mcauliffe, shad planking, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Lights, camera, tax credits!

The Virginian-Pilot
April 16, 2009

It isn't the biggest issue in the race, but all four men hoping to be the next governor would like to grab a little Hollywood glitter for Virginia, a rare moment of unanimity on a contentious campaign trail.

The most detailed incentive plan thus far comes from Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who wants to offer production companies the chance to recoup up to 20 percent of their state expenditures and payroll costs through rebates or tax credits. McAuliffe also proposes unspecified cash grants for state-based independent productions and increased spending on college programs.

Republican Bob McDonnell thinks enough of the industry that he promised to boost the state's film business during his campaign kickoff. Details to come.

Democrats Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran have supported incentives during their legislative careers. Deeds voted this year for a 5 percent tax on pay-per-view movies in hotel rooms, earmarking the revenues to attract more productions to Virginia. Moran tried to secure funding in 2007 to lure a crew to Southwest Virginia.

Of the 30 states that offer tax credits and rebates to filmmakers, Virginia is a bit player. Last year the Virginia Film Office's incentive fund received just $200,000 in state support, far less than the millions devoted by other states.

Jeff Frizzell, commissioner of the Hampton Roads Film Office, hopes his state will one day be more competitive. He was in California this week meeting with studio representatives and independent directors at a national expo. "The first thing they ask is, 'What incentives do you have?' " he lamented.

With the proper safeguards in place, modest increases in Virginia's incentives could be part of a larger plan to boost economic development. When film crews choose a Virginia location for their shoot, "people come in here and spend obscene amounts of money, and then they go away," Frizzell said. The HBO miniseries "John Adams" spent $80 million here in 2007. "Evan Almighty" pumped $19 million into the state in 2006.

States are fighting over a shrinking pool of film and TV productions. California legislators recently approved $500 million in tax credits to restore their home-grown industry.

Politicians - including gubernatorial candidates - should be careful to make sure tax breaks and grants pay off for Virginia. As unanimous as they are in hoping to get a bigger piece of the movie business, they should take care not to be blinded by the dazzle of Hollywood's stars.

Tags: economy, film industry, filming, filmmakers, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, tax credits, terry, terry mcauliffe, tourism, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe in the crosshairs at Virginia's Shad Planking

CNN Political Ticker
April 15, 2009
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

WAKEFIELD, Virginia (CNN) – The crowds weren’t drinking tea on Tax Day in southeast Virginia.

At the Shad Planking — Virginia’s annual backwoods carnival of fish and politics — bourbon and beer were the cocktails of choice. And although the candidates for governor who showed up at this year’s event didn’t actually booze, they were definitely taking some shots.

Their main target, as expected, was Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who decided last year to seek the governorship.

McAuliffe arrived at the Shad Planking making no apologies for the amount of money he’s spending in the 2009 race.

Drivers making their way into Wakefield were overwhelmed by nearly 25,000 “McAuliffe for Governor” signs planted along the roadside, put there by 60 full-time campaign staffers and 40 more volunteers. Circling the skies above the event was a plane towing a sign reading “New Energy, New Jobs: Vote Terry.” McAuliffe even brought along a man dressed in a chicken suit wearing a diaper, meant to demonstrate the candidate’s enthusiasm for turning chicken waste into re-usable energy.

So when McAuliffe and his rivals took the Shad Planking stage to deliver some traditional light-hearted political jibes, it was open season on the millionaire from McLean.

Calling McAuliffe “a national guy” and a “professional fundraiser,” Republican Bob McDonnell ribbed the former DNC chair for being a first-timer at the event, a tradition that dates back to the 1930s. But the GOP hopeful also acknowledged that McAuliffe's spending spree has been a boon to the commonwealth.

“I really do want to thank Terry for the $2.6 million he’s pumped into the Virginia economy over the last two months,” McDonnell cracked.

Brian Moran, one of three candidates for the Democratic nomination, said he arrived late to the gathering “because it took a lot of time to knock down all the Terry signs on the way in.”

“It became obvious this was his first Shad Planking when he started setting up a martini bar on the way in,” Moran said of his rival, explaining that Shad (the bony fish plucked from the James River) is best washed down with beer.

The third Democratic candidate, state senator Creigh Deeds, didn’t attend the annual spring ritual, instead opting to campaign in Southwest Virginia.

McAuliffe, grinning on the stage while the barbs flew his way, took it in stride. When a rowdy crowd-member shouted at him, “Where’s Hillary?,” McAuliffe shouted right back. “I think you have a crush on her!,” he yelled. “Give me your number. I’ll introduce you to her!”

As his turn to speak came, he cheerily admitted that this was his first visit to a Shad Planking and vowed: “I’m going to come back the next four years as governor of the commonwealth of Virginia.”

As for that vast army of campaign signs lining the roadways of Wakefield? A few of the politicians on stage shifted uncomfortably in their seats when McAuliffe offered up his defense.

“It’s not about the size of the signs,” he said. “It’s about keeping it up all night!”

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

McAuliffe Praises Senator Jim Webb's Prison Reform Bill

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement on Senator Jim Webb's Prison Reform bill (S. 714):

"Senator Jim Webb deserves commendation for the courageous stand he has taken by introducing comprehensive prison reform legislation. His bill would help implement badly needed reforms and ensure fairness and effectiveness in our criminal justice system."

Tags: jim webb, mcauliffe, prison reform, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, webb

McAuliffe Unveils Fourth Chapter of His Business Plan for Virginia

Highlighting the need to attract the employers and jobs we want in the future, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the fourth chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which focuses on improving Virginia's education system.

"To attract the employers and jobs we want in the future, we need to ensure that Virginia has the best-educated, best-trained, most skilled workforce in the world," McAuliffe said. "Over the past eight years, we've seen steady progress and better results in education. The challenge for the next governor will be to make better use of what we have. That means we have to build more flexibility, more innovation and more creativity into the system."

McAuliffe called for streamlining the process of commercializing research at Virginia's universities to provide extra funding for colleges and allow them to lower tuition costs. McAuliffe said he would ask the newly created Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority to identify all roadblocks to commercializing research breakthroughs and build partnerships, linking schools and the private sector from the outset of research. With the extra revenue from university research, McAuliffe would require that 50% of it go to lowering the costs of college tuition. McAuliffe also said he would support Virginia's community colleges, which provide a less expensive alternative for the first two years of college and will enable our workforce development initiatives.

"We have excellent two- and four-year institutions that educate our young people, train our workforce and serve as a base for economic spin-offs," McAuliffe said. "Today the issue is access. We have to do better when it comes to making higher education more affordable."

Emphasizing the importance of earning more than a high school degree, McAuliffe said he would ensure that students are prepared to go to college and adapt critical skills. He promoted measures including broadening dual enrollment and expanding the availability of the Early College High School Initiative to give Virginia students a head start. McAuliffe proposed implementing new voluntary assessments that would allow high school juniors who are ready to bypass their senior year and go straight to college.

Additionally, to improve outcomes in the classroom, McAuliffe underscored the importance of continuing Governor Kaine's pre-K expansion, as well as providing a state School Readiness Tax Credit for high-quality child care and preschool providers and the families and employers that use them.

Finally, McAuliffe called for offering incentives to attract the best teachers in the nation. McAuliffe said he would raise teacher salaries to the national average and work with teachers to find innovative ways to differentiate compensation. If teachers take on additional responsibilities, they should be rewarded for it.

"The most important component in our education system is the teacher," McAuliffe said. "If we're going to have the best schools, Virginia will have to compete for the best teachers."

Tags: business plan, colleges, economy, education, mcauliffe, school, t-mac, teachers, terry, terry mcauliffe, universities, va-gov, virginia

Bob McDonnell and Republicans "Too Busy" to Explain Rejecting $125 Million for Unemployed Virginians

Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans turned their backs on Virginia families and Virginia’s economy.

They refused $125 million in federal economic recovery funds that would go directly to the families who need it most by providing unemployment assistance.

With communities facing record unemployment, it is an unconscionable ideological attack on Virginians who have lost their jobs.

Tell Bob McDonnell to help Virginia families and Virginia’s economy.

Lowell said over at BlueVA:

So, they weren't too busy to reject $125 million for struggling, unemployed Virginians; they're just too busy to talk about their outrageous votes? Niiiiiice.

Tags: 2009, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia

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’s Money Roll

Washington Post’s The Fix
April 9, 2009
Chris Cillizza

Anyone who follows politics with even passing interest knows that former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is a fundraising machine. So, expectations (at least from the Fix) were high when it came to how much McAuliffe could raise for his gubernatorial bid in Virginia. And yet, McAuliffe managed to exceed them by collecting a stunning $4.2 million in the first three months of the year, a total that dwarfed the $800,000 collected by former state Assemblyman Brian Moran who is also seeking the Democratic nod. State Sen. Creigh Deeds had yet to release his own money numbers but it was expected they would be well below what McAuliffe brought in. "We are thrilled with the grassroots and fundraising support we have received over the last few months," said McAuliffe campaign manager Mike Henry in an email announcing the money total. Moran sought to spin his own fundraising by noting that he had eclipsed his original goal and that his cash position was "putting us in a position to have the resources to win," according to campaign officials. (That's an argument not dissimilar from the one top aides to former Sen. John Edwards made during the early months of 2007 when he was being badly outraised by then Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.) Money isn't everything in politics but with northern Virginia, which is covered by the pricey D.C. media market, seen as the critical area in the battle between McAuliffe and Moran, the former's cash position has to be seen as a major asset. One caveat: McAuliffe's $2.5 million cash on hand total shows that he is spending money at a rapid pace as well and makes the distance between him and Moran/Deeds slightly more manageable.

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

McAuliffe Condemns McDonnell's Rejection of $125 Million to Alleviate High Unemployment

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement on the decision of Virginia Republicans and Bob McDonnell to reject $125 million in federal economic recovery funds for extended unemployment benefits:

"Yesterday, Virginia Republicans, led by Bob McDonnell, turned their backs on Virginia families and communities facing record unemployment rates and unprecedented economic challenges. At a time when we should be working across party lines to get our economy back on track, McDonnell has shown once again that he is more interested in political games and heated partisan rhetoric than working to find bipartisan solutions. "Not only will this decision to reject $125 million in federal economic recovery money hurt our families, but it will also discourage responsible behavior among unemployed workers, like looking for part-time work and enrolling in job training programs. We should be doing everything in our power to encourage unemployed Virginians to take these steps.

"Bob McDonnell's refusal to accept economic recovery money to alleviate the problems of unemployment in Virginia is just another sign that he will not continue the progress of the Warner-Kaine administrations. Instead, McDonnell would take us back to the era of Jim Gilmore, who turned his back on Virginians experiencing hardship when he repeatedly failed to claim federal matching funds for children's health insurance and refused to extend emergency unemployment aid to workers laid off from the Tultex textile plant in Martinsville."

McAuliffe will hold a conference call with press at 2:30 pm today regarding his position on the economic recovery money.

Tags: bob mcdonnell, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mcdonnell, 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

Virginia is losing out in the film industry competition

Loudoun Times-Mirror
April 7, 2009
Jack Goldstone

These days, states are competing for jobs. High-paying, non-polluting, creative and rewarding jobs are the most fiercely contested. Most of these gains will take place over the long term, through smart investments in high-growth industries, such as green energy. But there is one often-overlooked industry that can immediately bring revenue and jobs into the Commonwealth: the entertainment and film industry.

The entertainment and film industry is a trillion-dollar global behemoth. Production costs of a single major film average around $100 million. Even filming a single car or fashion commercial can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in local business, not to mention the publicity value of showing attractive locales to potential tourists and business investors.

Virginia is losing out in this competition, as other states act to provide generous incentives to production companies, allocate funds for educating filmmakers and technicians, and vigorously promote themselves as locales for entertainment production.

This year, Virginia’s General Assembly provided $775,000 for the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. By contrast, Texas governor Rick Perry requested $60 million in funds to promote film production in the Lone Star State; Pennsylvania currently has $75 million in tax credits to spend. And neither of those states is among the leaders in providing film incentives to Hollywood – direct competitors to Virginia such as Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida all spend even more, ranking among the top ten states in offering tax incentives to producers who film there. Meanwhile, Virginia’s film incentives are among the smallest in the country.

Despite these disparities, in 2007 Virginia still ranked 11th among all states in film production revenues. The Commonwealth’s natural beauty – from the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge to the coastal tidelands – its unparalleled wealth of historical sites, and its uniquely attractive and important settings (the Pentagon, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville to name just a few) make Virginia a magnet for filmmakers. Projects by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are seeking to build on such stunning successes as HBO’s “John Adams” mini-series, which spent $80 million in Virginia and employed 3500 Virginians as crew, actors, extras, and supporting personnel. Altogether, in 2007 the Commonwealth benefitted to the tune of $732 million spent on lodging, restaurants, rental companies, transportation, and services connected to filming in the state, and since 1980 the direct economic contribution from filming has totaled more than $3 billion.

Virginia has a great opportunity to expand its share of the film business, and bring thousands of high-paying clean jobs to the Commonwealth, by capitalizing on its many natural and historical attractions by offering competitive incentives to producers who film here.

Of the current candidates for governor, former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe has so far led the charge on this issue, pledging to boost funding for the Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and offering film production companies the chance to recoup up to twenty percent of their Virginia purchases and payroll costs through a rebate or a transferable tax credit. McAuliffe would also offer support for film programs at Virginia schools and direct state agencies to make office space available to qualifying projects. These proposals will go a long way towards bringing Virginia’s filming incentives in line with our competitors.

McAuliffe’s plan is not without its caveats: he will have to make sure that his additional incentives do not create costly subsidies to filmmakers that exceed benefits to the state and that the incentives meet the highest standards of transparency and accountability. Still, McAuliffe clearly understands the importance of this issue, and he deserves credit for offering a detailed plan to boost Virginia's competitiveness in this arena. Other candidates would be wise to offer similar proposals.

Across the country, states are competing for billions of dollars in revenues from filming and entertainment. Virginia has enormous natural advantages and great opportunities to win that competition; all we need is a bit more support from our political leaders to help more Virginians prosper from this global enterprise.

Tags: economy, film industry, film production, jobs, loudoun, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, 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 Releases New Radio Ad Highlighting Voting Rights

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio advertisement criticizing Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell for standing by silently when a House of Delegates committee voted down early voting and no excuse absentee legislation. The ad also highlights McAuliffe's record of standing up for voting rights.

"As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe created the Voting Rights Institute to protect disenfranchised voters," the ad says. "Terry McAuliffe is the leader who will protect our community's rights and create thousands of jobs. Terry McAuliffe for Governor, because we need a leader who will defend our rights and bring new ideas and new energy to Richmond."

The radio ad will run on adult urban contemporary, gospel, and religious radio stations in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets. It was produced by Potomac Waves, a minority-owned and operated media consulting firm based in Washington, DC. The ad can be heard at http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/articles/new-radio-ad-in-richmond-and-hampton-roads-enoughand a script follows.

Tags: bob mcdonnell, macker, mcauliffe, radio ad, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, voting, voting rights

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

McAuliffe stumps in Roanoke

April 6, 2009
The Roanoke Times
Cody Lowe

Terry McAuliffe, widely considered the front-runner among the three candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor, brought his high-energy campaign to the Roanoke Valley again over the weekend.

McAuliffe stepped out of a black sport utility vehicle about 1:30 p.m. Sunday into a group of about 30 supporters at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea on the Roanoke City Market.

He delivered his message to an assembly that ranged from young, pierced-lipped skateboarders to gray-haired supporters still in their church clothes. McAuliffe himself apologized for being late, saying the church service he attended at Garden of Prayer No. 7 ran longer than expected, "and you can't just get up and walk out of that."

The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee launched into a spirited encapsulation of his platform to grow the state's economy and create jobs; find new and more efficient energy sources, without offshore drilling; lower tuition at state colleges and universities; improve both highway and rail transportation; and improve access to health care, particularly Medicaid.

McAuliffe, who lives in Fairfax County, noted that the state's gubernatorial campaign has garnered more national attention than usual as one of only two scheduled this fall. The only Republican candidate, former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, made a similar observation during a campaign stop in Roanoke on Monday.

Both states' elections likely will be seen as barometers of President Obama's performance, as well as of the actions of the Democrat-controlled Congress.

McAuliffe will face former Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria and State Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County in a Democratic primary on June 9.

Taking questions from his audience, McAuliffe said that although he supports equal rights for gays and lesbians, the state had spoken against gay marriage with the 2006 passage of a constitutional amendment prohibiting it. He said he wouldn't take campaign contributions from any company that received Troubled Assets Relief Program money. And he vowed to do everything he could to weaken the state's application of the so-called "Dillon Rule," a 19th-century directive that essentially reserves all powers not specifically delegated to local governments to the state.

Tags: economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, roanoke, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe says ‘honest discussion’ needed

April 5, 2009
Lynchburg News & Advance
Ray Reed

Transportation is a key to new jobs and Virginia’s economic recovery, but state leaders must start talking about ways to pay for roads, Democrat Terry McAuliffe said Sunday during a gubernatorial campaign stop in Lynchburg.

“We’re going to have to have an honest discussion about revenue,” McAuliffe told about 30 people at the Star Light Café in downtown Lynchburg. “Not many people will tell you that,” he added.

Virginia faces being unable to provide state matching money in order to obtain federal grants to build roads in 2018 and thereafter, he said.

At that point, federal taxes Virginians pay at the pump would go to other states, he said.

Some Republican legislators have said Virginia’s projection that highway maintenance needs will use up all its transportation dollars by 2018 is a political ploy by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s Democratic administration.

“This is real,” said McAuliffe, one of three Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in a June 9 primary. He’s running against state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian Moran, both of whom have campaigned in Lynchburg in the past week.

McAuliffe said early in his talk that job creation, and not a tax increase, was the solution to a recession that has forced Virginia to cut funding to education and other services.

“We are now cutting into the bone” when $400 million is removed from K-12 education programs, McAuliffe said.

Transportation must generate new revenues on its own, without help from the tax coffers that fund other state operations such as education and health care, McAuliffe said.

Whether new transportation money would come from higher fuel taxes, road tolls, or some other source would be among topics for an “honest discussion,” he said.

High-speed rail is another part of the transportation solution, McAuliffe said, adding that President Barack Obama has given it priority status.

McAuliffe said he had talked with Wick Moorman, chairman of Norfolk Southern Corp., about how Virginia could get the right of way to build a new track for faster passenger trains.

“He said, ‘I can get you the right of way,’” McAuliffe said. Norfolk Southern has 50 to 100 feet of space on either side of its tracks, McAuliffe said Moorman told him.

Applause-winning comments by McAuliffe included:

“Every child should be reading by the time they are out of third grade.”

For those who can’t read by then, Virginia can calculate the number of prison beds it will need in 15 years, he said.

“I want to shut down predatory lenders. These guys come in from out of state, prey on the weakest ones, and the money leaves Virginia.”

McAuliffe said college education can be more affordable through his scholars program. “If you will spend two years working in a hard-pressed area” in a job such as teaching, he said, “we will have a loan forgiveness program. I will pay off your college tuition.”

Tags: education, lynchburg, mcauliffe, pay day lending, t-mac, taxes, terry, terry mcauliffe, transportation, va-gov, virginia

Friday Governors Line: A "Once in a Generation" Election

April 3, 2009
The Washington Post
Chris Cillizza

10. Virginia (D controlled-2009): It's tough to handicap this race until June 10 when we know the identity of the Democratic nominee. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe continues to impress -- rolling out a detailed plan to revive the Virginia economy and picking up labor endorsements, the latest of which came from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. (The Post's Virginia governor's race page has everything you could want on this contest.) Former state Del. Brian Moran continues to attack McAuliffe but it isn't clear how effective those hits have been. State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the only one of the trio not from northern Virginia, is biding his time in hopes that McAuliffe and Moran destroy one another and he can shoot the gap. A sidenote: The Fix will be moderating a debate between McAuliffe, Moran and Deeds on May 19 at Northern Virginia Community College. (Previous ranking: 9)

Tags: economy, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, virginia governor

McAuliffe the policy wonk, McAuliffe the attack dog

April 3, 2009
Decision Virginia

Terry McAuliffe came to Richmond on Thursday to unveil the third chapter in his business plan. The plan is the key policy piece in his argument that he is the best candidate for Governor of Virginia.

McAuliffe spoke to a small group of business leaders in Richmond and outlined his belief that economic security for the indvidual is as important a concept as the growth of industry and job creation. He broke down three important aspects of economic security: access to health care, affordable education and retirement security. It is the candidate’s belief that if individuals are more secure in each of their individual situations, the overall health of the commonwealth will improve.

You can read his entire release and see video from his stop in Richmond after the jump…

While McAuliffe was touting his think policy wonk friendly business plan during the morning, he spent the afternoon attempting to rile up his base, with an offhanded joke used at a recent Bob McDonnell fundraiser. McAuliffe and his team attacked the GOP candidate for Governor for standing next to former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee while he told a joke he has told many times before about keeping non-McDonnell voters from the polls. You can see what Huck said here.

McAuliffe camp the idea of “voter supression” no laughing matter. He held a conference call where he asked McDonnell to condemn Huckabee’s comments. He also used the clip as a way to raise money. The campaign sent out an e-mail to supporters expressing their outrage and asking for cash to beat back McDonnell’s efforts.

The McDonnell campaign decided against taking McAuliffe’s advice. A spokesman said the attack “demonstrates a complete lack of perspective and seriousness. ” It is also worth pointing out that jokes like these are not uncommon on the campaign trail by Republicans and Democrats. In fact President Barack Obama himself made a similar joke on the campaign trail (h/t Shad Plank).

I think what is more interesting is how McAuliffe can work two different angles at virtually the same time. It is an advantage that only a campaign with his resources can do. Not only does the Macker have the staff to compile a comprehensive document, thick with ideas on how to fix the economy, but at almost the exact same time they can research tid-bits on their opponent and release a layered attack that reaches out to the press and potential donors. It is something that at this point, he is the only candidate capable of doing.

Tags: business plan, economy, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, voter suppression, voting, voting rights

Weekly Blog Roundup 4/3/09

Welcome to another installment of our weekly blog roundup. This week, bloggers took note of Terry's growing momentum, with new endorsements and the announcement of new ideas. Terry is taking a stand and raising the bar in this race.

Rachel Weiner at The Huffington Post discussed comments made by Mike Huckabee promoting voter suppression tactics. While campaigning for Bob McDonnell this week, Huckabee told a crowd of Republicans that if they know people who aren’t going to vote for Bob, it’s their job to “Let the air out of their tires” and “keep ‘em home.”

McDonnell's fans laughed, but Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe isn't amused. He sent a letter to his own supporters highlighting Huckabee's comments. "People died for the right to vote in this country," he writes, "and we have to protect it."

Lowell at Blue Virginia praised Terry for calling for a ban on payday lenders in Virginia.

In contrast to Moran and Deeds, McAuliffe "wants Virginia to join about a dozen states and prohibit the lenders altogether." On this one, I'm strongly with Terry McAuliffe. This also points out how being in Richmond for a long time can be problematic, as I strongly believe that the entire system in our state's capital is corrupted by money from special interests and big corporations (e.g., Dominion Power, the payday lending industry). I also strongly believe it's time for change in the culture of Richmond, and think we're most likely to see that from someone who hasn't BEEN in Richmond for much of their adult life.

Joel McDonald wrote a great post at Virginia Beach Progressives, highlighting how important it is that Democrats keep their eye on the ball. There is a stark difference between the Democratic candidates in this race, who all want to grow our economy and create jobs, and Bob McDonnell, who wants to roll back the progress we've made with Governors Warner and Kaine.

So let’s come together and focus on each candidates positive qualities that will aid them in beating Bob McDonnell in November. People will respond to the positive more easily than the negative. Let’s generate positive buz in areas that McDonnell can’t. Let’s build up each of our potential nominees so that no matter who wins, a solid foundation for a win in November is built. Let’s focus on winning.

At Blue Virginia Lowell also reported on Terry’s call for prohibiting gifts and trips from lobbyists for legislators and executive-branch officials.

McAuliffe, a McLean resident and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also proposed a state-run "sunshine Web site" -- similar to one operated by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project -- as a clearinghouse for data on political fundraising and related legislative activity. It's about time somebody in Virginia proposed these measures. Right now, the amount of money and free goodies from the lobbyists who swarm over Richmond is completely out of control.

At New Dominion Project, Bryan reported on Terry’s endorsement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Enployees (AFSCME). He noted Terry’s commitment to working families in Virginia.

Since Terry will be leading the state government and have some impact on local governments if he's elected governor, I think this is an endorsement that's worth noting... I'm therefore pleased to see that Terry is reaching out to labor's leadership.

Tags: afscme, bloggers, blogs, business plan, democrats, economy, endorsements, macker, mcdonnell, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup

McAuliffe Highlights Plan to Promote Homeownership

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today highlighted his plan to encourage homeownership and keep homeowners in their homes. McAuliffe proposed measures to educate consumers on financial issues, create savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, and protect consumers from predatory lending practices.

"The severity of the current financial crisis overall, and the mortgage crisis in particular, undermines the most basic part of the American dream: homeownership," McAuliffe said. "Much is happening at the federal level to address the mortgage crisis and under Governor Kaine, Virginia has taken bold and aggressive steps to address the issues raised in the current crisis. We need to look beyond the crisis and keep our eye on the long-term goal: increasing homeownership for all in a sensible and realistic way."

McAuliffe's Plan includes the following provisions:

Develop tax-free Homeownership Savings Accounts for first-time homebuyers. Modeled after Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), taxpayers can set aside a certain amount of tax-free money to save for purchasing their first home.

Improve our citizens' financial literacy. Our neighbors in Delaware are the pioneers in this area – there, State Treasurer, now Governor Jack Markell started the Money School to offer free classes to give people financial tools to understand and control their financial futures. McAuliffe's proposal will do something similar in Virginia to help people improve their financial well-being, set financial goals, plan for homeownership, and save for retirement.

Create a commonwealth-funded revolving loan program to help qualified low-income homebuyers. For some potential homebuyers, initial financing, or refinancing for more favorable terms, is not an option in this tight credit market. There are examples around the country, like the Minnesota Home Ownership Program, which offers silent second mortgages to qualified homebuyers. McAuliffe's proposal will provide a revolving fund to partner with low-income homebuyers to hold second mortgages until properties are sold. Similar projects are being done in cities around the country and can be replicated here in Virginia. McAuliffe proposes we establish such a program in areas that are particularly hard hit by the mortgage crisis, such as Prince William County. McAuliffe will set standards to ensure that individuals looking to buy a home are qualified in order to access a loan.

Continue the Governor's Foreclosure Prevention Task Force. Governor Kaine acted quickly and decisively to get legislation passed to address many of the most immediate problems: In Virginia, consumers with "high-risk mortgages" now have additional time to resolve problems before default procedures are completed; loan servicers have additional restrictions; and additional housing counselors are funded to help consumers work through issues before defaulting on their mortgages. McAuliffe would continue the Task Force, a group of state agency representatives, lenders, realtors, and housing advocates – and its website that provides information to homeowners. The Task Force is charged with, among other things, identifying and increasing resources for homeowners. This function will continue to be integral as the federal government continues to address the mortgage crisis.

Institute further Protections for Consumers including: Limiting mortgage companies' ability to collect high-spread premiums and charge prepayment penalties Putting a stop to negatively amortizing mortgages that effectively strip equity from a home as soon as a homeowner purchases it, leading ultimately to foreclosure. Prohibiting foreclosure rescuers from gaining power of attorney from a homeowner. Establishing a Foreclosure Mediation Program, allowing a neutral mediator to work with the homeowner and lender to reach a fair, voluntary agreement. Lenders will be required to notify borrowers of the program. Establishing a foreclosure prevention hotline administered through the Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, to better connect borrowers with the resources they need to avoid foreclosure.

Tags: economy, foreclosure, home buying, homeownership, loans, macker, mcauliffe, mortgages, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Gubernatorial hopeful McAuliffe calls for a payday-lending ban; other Democrats follow suit.

April 3, 2009
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Jeff E. Schapiro

Terry McAuliffe is starting a pile-on by Democratic gubernatorial candidates of the high-interest instant-loan industry, proposing the state kick out payday lenders.

"We need to shut them all down; they only shove people into worse economic conditions," McAuliffe said yesterday.

McAuliffe's two foes in the June 9 primary echoed his proposal, though both Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County and former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria voted in 2002 to open Virginia to payday lenders.

"They prey on the people in the weakest financial condition and put them in an even worse position," said McAuliffe, a McLean resident and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

The proposed ban on payday, car-title and open-ended loans, all of which carry triple-digit interest rates, is included in McAuliffe's latest economic package.

Focusing this time on ways to guard an individual's finances, McAuliffe also urged protecting home ownership; making it easier for low-income Virginians to plan for retirement and helping college graduates pay off their loans.

Through press secretary Brooke Borkenhagen, Deeds signaled his support for closing the state to cash stores and related lenders.

"When Terry was doing his out-of-state fundraisers, Creigh was in the Senate, working on this issue," Borkenhagen said.

Jesse Ferguson, Moran's spokesman, said: "Brian has been, and continues to be, an opponent of the payday-lending industry."

And while Moran's "Homeowners' Bill of Rights" includes a ban on predatory and deceptive lending, he has accepted about $25,000 in contributions from payday and car-title lenders and check-cashing companies, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Rather than tougher limits on what lenders can charge -- for example, the industry says a 36 percent cap could drive it out of business -- McAuliffe wants Virginia to join about a dozen states and prohibit the lenders altogether.

In Virginia, payday lenders have spent millions of dollars on lobbying, political contributions and advertising to stop or slow additional restrictions.

The 2009 General Assembly blocked an end run by lenders on a clampdown enacted the previous year. About three-quarters of the state's 800 cash stores used a loophole in state law to offer higher-interest open-ended loans.

McAuliffe said he would crack down on financing practices that generate additional profits for mortgage companies at the expense of homeowners, such as penalties for early payments.

McAuliffe also said recent college graduates should be able to erase some of their loans through a service program that, among other things, steers teachers into areas where they are badly needed.

Tags: business, economy, macker, mcauliffe, payday lenders, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe takes on health care, college and retirement...

April 2, 2009
The Shad Plank
Kimball Payne

Terry McAuliffe trotted out the latest chapter in his expanding business playbook on Thursday, offering up ways to improve access to health care, make college more affordable and put folks on a path to happy retirement.

McAuliffe, running for governor against Democrats Sen. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran, continues to put ideas on the table at a steady pace. Under the proposal put out on Thursday, McAuliffe suggests allowing unemployed workers access to low-income loans to pay for health insurance when companies go out of business and they have no option for COBRA insurance.

On higher education, McAuliffe wants to create a "Scholars for Service" program similar to the one that Barack Obama talked about on the campaign trail. College students willing to teaching in high-need areas or work in under-staffed professions for two years would be eligible for four-years of loan forgiveness.

The third leg of the proposal is aimed at helping Virginia workers save for retirement and also helping first-time homebuyers. McAuliffe said the state should set up a "Commonwealth IRA that would allow small employers to offer a voluntary retirement savings program to their employees."

McAuliffe is going to tour the state to promote the plan so you can probably expect an event in Hampton Roads. But if you want to read the whole thing Click here.

Tags: business, business plan, economy, education, health care, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, retirement, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

State’s economic problems emerge as major force in the campaign

April 2, 2009
The Washington Post
Sandhya Somashekhar

The economic crisis is never far away as the four candidates for governor campaign across Virginia, and two of them yesterday provided a look at proposals they're offering in response.

The ideas unveiled yesterday include an initiative to lure Hollywood film crews to the state and a plan to create opportunities for small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities.

The policy rollouts came as the Virginia Employment Commission reported that unemployment rose to its highest level since 1992. The rate hit 7 percent in February, up from 6.4 percent in January, but remained below the national average of 8.9 percent. Some of the local numbers are much worse, with Martinsville experiencing a 20.2 percent jobless rate.

Economic issues are likely to dominate the campaign in the months leading up to the June 9 Democratic primary, and on into the general election. Terry McAuliffe, Brian Moran and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds are locked in a struggle for the Democratic nomination. Meanwhile, Robert F. McDonnell, the sole Republican contender, is preparing for what may be a tight race for the governor's mansion in November.

At George Mason University yesterday, McAuliffe said Virginia's appeal to Hollywood filmmakers could improve the state's economic picture. McAuliffe said he became familiar with the potency of the film industry while serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

During a roundtable discussion with local filmmakers and producers at George Mason, he unveiled a proposal to offer additional tax incentives and other benefits to film crews making movies in Virginia. He said the state has been losing out to such states as North Carolina and Georgia, which offer greater benefits and have seen their film industries flourish.

He pointed to the HBO miniseries "John Adams," about the nation's second president, as an example of a film project that had benefited the state. The miniseries, filmed partly in Williamsburg and at the College of William and Mary, cost Virginia $1.25 million in tax breaks, but it boosted the local economy by $80 million and created 3,500 jobs, he said.

"We literally could create thousands of jobs here," he said. "This is a moneymaker."

During a campaign event in Norfolk, former state delegate Brian Moran unveiled a proposal to help small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities by expanding access to government contracts.

According to the campaign's figures, less than 2 percent of state spending on contracts went to businesses owned by women and minorities, compared with 17 percent in Maryland and 13 percent in Texas. Moran's view is that improving access to state contracts for those business would help kick-start the economy, said Jesse Ferguson, Moran's spokesman.

"Brian's plan is to restart the slumping economy, and he's going to do it by building from the bottom up," he said.

The third Democrat in the race, Deeds (D-Bath), attended an event heralding increased rail service between the Lynchburg area and points north, which he said will spur economic growth.

At the Kemper Street station in Lynchburg, Deeds joined Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) at a gathering of rail supporters to celebrate a planned increase in freight and passenger service along rail lines connecting the Lynchburg area with Northern Virginia and the District.

A healthy economy depends on improving public transportation, which will ease traffic congestion and benefit the environment, Deeds said. "I think it's the most important thing we can do to create jobs in this commonwealth," he said.

The Republican candidate, former state attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, took a whirlwind trip through diners and cafes from Winchester to the Eastern Shore as part of his campaign kickoff tour this week. At every stop, voters expressed anxiety about mounting job losses across the state and the country, said J. Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman.

"The geography changes, but the topic doesn't," Martin said in a phone interview during a campaign stop at a seafood restaurant in the Eastern Shore town of Melfa. "The topic is always jobs."

Tags: economy, film industry, ideas, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unemployment, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Unveils Health, Education Plans

April 2, 2009
The Washington post
Anita Kumar

This morning, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe rolled out plans to make healthcare more affordable, increase access to higher education and secure retirement savings.

"Our economic struggles have not been evenly distributed around Virginia - some communities, some industries, have been hit much harder than others," McAuliffe said. "But Virginians everywhere can see what is happening, and they wonder how it may affect them. State government cannot solve all of our problems. But it should be an ally to the aspirations and goals of its citizens."

The three Democratic candidates for governor are feverishly campaigning across the state, releasing policy proposals several times a week. Yesterday, McAuliffe and rival Brian Moran unveiled proposals to lure Hollywood film crews to the state and boost the number of businesses owned by women and minorities.

Today, McAuliffe proposed offering unemployed workers low-interest loans to help buy health insurance or allowing them to buy into existing state health insurance programs or other health plans.

McAuliffe also proposed creating a "Scholars for Service" loan forgiveness program, increased marketing for the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program and guaranteeing help for any student based on need who successfully completes certain requirements.

He pledged to create a state IRA that would allow small employers to offer a voluntary reitrement savings program to their employees and allow workers in private companies to participate in the state's deferred compensation program.

Tags: economy, education, health insurance, mcauliffe, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Highlighting Need for Economic Security, McAuliffe Unveils Third Chapter of Business Plan for Virginia

Following up on chapters that focused on making Virginia a renewable energy leader and creating good jobs across the Commonwealth, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today unveiled the third chapter of his Business plan, which highlights his plans to strengthen the economic security of Virginia families. McAuliffe highlighted his support for making healthcare more affordable, increasing access to higher education, and ensuring that Virginians' retirement savings are secure.

"Our economic struggles have not been evenly distributed around Virginia – some communities, some industries, have been hit much harder than others," McAuliffe said. "But Virginians everywhere can see what is happening, and they wonder how it may affect them. State government cannot solve all of our problems. But it should be an ally to the aspirations and goals of its citizens."

Pointing to the one million Virginians without health insurance, McAuliffe emphasized his support for state level health care initiatives to improve the quality of care, reduce unnecessary spending, and begin to control the ever-increasing cost of health care. McAuliffe pledged to expand access to affordable health coverage by providing low-interest loans to help unemployed workers purchase health insurance when companies go out of business and they have no COBRA option. These loans can help individuals and families maintain coverage while unemployed and allow for a favorable repayment schedule when re-employed. McAuliffe said he would also allow the unemployed – as well as any individual or employer – to buy into FAMIS, FAMIS Plus or other health plans when such plans would be a more affordable option.

"As healthcare costs continue to rise, more and more families are unable to afford coverage, or opt to risk dropping coverage to afford other basic necessities," McAuliffe said. "While reform unfolds at the federal level, we must take actions on the state level to rein in health care costs and increase access to affordable health care for recently unemployed Virginians."

Discussing the need for a homegrown, well-educated workforce, McAuliffe pledged to make higher education more affordable for all Virginians. McAuliffe said he would create a "Scholars for Service" loan forgiveness program, whereby for two years of commitment to service, such as teaching in a high-need area or working in an under-represented profession, students would be eligible for four years of loan forgiveness. He also called for improving the the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP), by better marketing to high school students early in their school careers and, most importantly, guaranteeing a certain level of assistance for any student based on need and who successfully completes the requirements.

"We must do all we can to prepare our citizens for that future, including making sure they are educated and trained to take on the jobs of the future," McAuliffe said. "Achieving some level of post-secondary education is critical to our economic success collectively as a commonwealth, as well as individually as citizens and families who are striving to achieve the American dream."

Finally, McAuliffe pledged to increase retirement security by reducing barriers to pension participation and portability. Discussing the need for workers to save for retirement, McAuliffe said he would establish a Commonwealth IRA that would allow small employers to offer a voluntary reitrement savings program to their employees. McAuliffe also proposed allowing workers in private businesses to participate in the Commonwealth's Deferred Compensation Program, which is currently offered to state employees and would deduct money from a participating worker's paycheck and invest in options chosen by the employee like any typical deferred compensation plan.

McAuliffe plans to discuss these proposals, as well as to elaborate upon his ideas for assisting homeowners and first-time homebuyers with voters throughout the Commonwealth in the coming weeks. You can find the full chapter online at http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/file_download/6/chapter3.pdf.

Tags: business, business plan, economy, education, health insurance, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, retirement, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unemployment, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Calls for Making Virginia Top Destination for Film Production

Meeting with members of Virginia's film industry, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today discussed the second chapter of his Business Plan for Virginia, which focuses on creating jobs across the Commonwealth, and his support for growing Virginia's film industry. McAuliffe pledged to make Virginia a top destination for the film industry by increasing tax incentives for film production, creating a highly-trained film industry workforce, and ensuring that all state agencies do their part to support the film industry in the Commonwealth.

"Even with the recent economic downturn, the film industry is one of the few sectors of our economy that is expected to see continued growth. Not only do film productions have an immediate positive effect on business sectors across Virginia, including housing, retail stores, and restaurants, but they also promote the Commonwealth's $18 billion tourism industry," McAuliffe said. "When the HBO miniseries John Adams was produced in Virginia, the total state investment in the project was only $1.25 million. However, the project was responsible for 3500 jobs and $80 million in direct spending in Virginia. Now that's a good return on investment!"

Pointing to aggressive media promotion and incentive programs in 39 competing states, McAuliffe said that Virginia must continue to increase funding for the Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. McAuliffe proposed meeting the incentive levels in competing states like Georgia and South Carolina by offering film production companies the chance to recoup up to twenty percent of their Virginia purchases and payroll costs through a cash rebate or a transferable tax credit. McAuliffe also called for creating a Virginia Filmmaker's Program, which would offer cash grants to support Virginia-based independent film productions and invest in film programs, like the program at George Mason.

"One of the best resources we can have to recruit film productions to the state is a highly-trained film workforce," McAuliffe said. "Our film programs create the next generation of Virginia's film personnel and, in doing so, grow our economy both now and in the future."

Finally, McAuliffe emphasized the need to create a friendly environment within state government to support film opportunities in Virginia. He pledged to issue an Executive Order directing all state agencies to do their part to support the film industry in the Commonwealth. Specifically, he would direct agencies to make office and facility space available for administration, production, and filming needs, free of charge, for qualified, high-quality films (as determined by the Film Office).

Tags: business, film industry, film production, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tourism, va-gov, virginia

Terry McAuliffe Has More Energy Than You

April 1, 2009
Loudoun Independent
John L. Geddie

If Terry McAuliffe (D) isn’t our next governor, it will not be for lack of effort. In the midst of a daunting travel schedule and after releasing truly ambitious business and energy plans for the Commonwealth, he still maintains an energy level that those of us ten years younger would be hard pressed to match.

Last Thursday, I had the chance to sit down with the former Democratic National Committee Chair and would-be Governor of Virginia at his offices in McLean. He was on a tight schedule and our meeting was scheduled tightly between two conference calls. Even on a day complete with media where McAuliffe had explained his new plans in painstaking depth, his optimism was infectious.

A video recording of this interview is available online at www.loudouni.com.

McAulifee seems perfectly happy to concentrate on the two issues most in need of assistance—the economy and transportation. Both issues have been are familiar to Northern Virginia voters—having been at the core of every election for the past several years. For some reason though, when McAuliffe says he can fix it—you really do believe him.

As a businessman himself, McAuliffe’s plans include a revitalization plan keyed to each section of the Commonwealth. It also relies on the expansion of Green jobs and a healthy dose of tax incentives to keep business in Virginia and lure it from other regions.

Look for my analysis of the McAuliffe’s published plan (and a comparison to the plans puts forth by other gubernatorial candidates) in next week’s Independent.

It’s ironic that McAuliffe is seeking to replace Democrat Tim Kaine (D) as Virginia governor. Four years ago, there positions were reversed. McAuliffe was acting as DNC chair when he made the nearly unprecedented decision to donate large sums of money into the Virginia governor’s race as part of his strategy to prove that Democrats could still be competitive in the south. Partly because of McAuliffe’s foresight, Kaine won the governor’s race.

Four years later and Kaine is chairman of the DNC and Terry McAuliffe is working to replace him as Virginia’s governor—in an attempt to keep the statehouse firmly in Democratic hands. It’s a big job, but he’s definitely got the energy and enthusiasm for it.

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

Another Union Backs McAuliffe

March 31, 2009
The Washington Post
Anita Kumar

Terry McAuliffe, who has spent decades in Washington working with national Democratic leaders and forging close ties to unions, received another in a series of labor endorsements today in his race for governor.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, was the latest to announce its support of McAuliffe, citing his approach to create and protect jobs.

"Like millions of other Americans, Boilermakers are nervous about the economy and about their future, and their children's future,'' Boilermakers International President Newton B. Jones said. "There is uncertainty and concern, but also hope. We believe our best days are ahead of us and Terry is the best answer to Virginia's need for a leader who can take on some very tough challenges and build a stronger economy."

In recent weeks, McAuliffe has been endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the largest union in the AFL-CIO, and the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters.

The Boilermakers represent more than 2,500 workers across the state in the industries of power generation, refinery and paper industry construction, water towers and shipbuilding, among others.

"I am counting on Virginia's workers to be my number one partner in the governor's office,'' McAuliffe said. "Hardworking men and women like those from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers who build ships, repair our naval vessels, maintain our energy infrastructure, and make Virginia a safer place for all residents. They are an incredible asset to the Commonwealth, and I will be honored to work with them as governor."

Tags: afl-cio, boilermakers, endorsements, ibb, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, unions, va-gov, virginia

VA GUBE: Boilermakers For McAuliffe

March 31, 2009
The National Journal’s Hotline On Call

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, today endorsed Democrat Terry McAuliffe for governor of Virginia, "citing Terry's energetic, fresh, approach to create and protect jobs."

The Boilermakers represent more than 2,500 workers throughout the Commonwealth. Boilermakers International President Newton B. Jones lauded McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, for fighting for working families:

"Terry stands with those who are the heart and soul of this great Commonwealth - those who clock in early and often work late, those who build and maintain our energy infrastructure and repair our Naval vessels, those who make Virginia great through their simple daily contribution to our economy and our way of life, among them, Boilermaker members.

"Terry has spent years fighting for working families. Like millions of other Americans, Boilermakers are nervous about the economy and about their future, and their children's future. There is uncertainty and concern, but also hope. We believe our best days are ahead of us and Terry is the best answer to Virginia's need for a leader who can take on some very tough challenges and build a stronger economy."

This is McAuliffe's second organizational endorsement of the week. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced its support for McAuliffe, who is vying with state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Del. Brian Moran, for the party's nomination.

Tags: boilermakers, economy, endorsements, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Union Endorses McAuliffe

March 30, 2009
The Washington Post
Anita Kumar

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was endorsed this morning by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the largest union in the AFL-CIO.

AFSCME, which has more than 10,000 members in Virginia, cited McAuliffe's leadership, business experience and vision, calling him the candidate best equipped to get the state's economy back on track.

"In these tough economic times, it is more critical than ever that we work to grow the economy," AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee said. "Terry McAuliffe...will work to address rising unemployment head-on by creating new jobs and new opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Not only do we support his vision of a stronger Virginia, we will be proud to work with him to make it happen."

Tags: afscme, ensorsements, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

VA GUBE: AFSCME Endorses McAuliffe

March 30, 2009
The National Journal’s Hotline On Call
Jennifer Skala

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union in the AFL-CIO, endorsed Terry McAuliffe today for Virginia governor. In a release, AFSCME, which has more than 10,000 union and household members in Virginia, cited McAuliffe's "leadership, business experience and bold vision for Virginia." The group added that McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, "has been a longtime supporter of AFSCME's and working family issues."

"In these tough economic times, it is more critical than ever that we work to grow the economy," said AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee. "AFSCME members are on the front-line delivering Virginia's public services, and we can see all too clearly that Virginians' needs are greater than ever. Terry McAuliffe understands those needs. He will work to address rising unemployment head-on by creating new jobs and new opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Not only do we support his vision of a stronger Virginia, we will be proud to work with him to make it happen."

McAuliffe is vying with two Virginia lawmakers -- former Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds -- for his party's nomination. Quarterly financial reports will be released in April, and McAuliffe, who has already aired television ads in critical pockets of the state, Hampton Roads and Richmond, is expected to far outraise his rivals.

But the true X factor in this contest is turnout in an off-year primary contest, the likes of which Virginians haven't seen for decades. Today's endorsement is no doubt a boost for McAuliffe, whom his rivals have tried to paint as an interloper in state politics. Big labor can help with a candidate's ground game. And the thinking in political circles is that higher turnout benefits McAuliffe, who is trying to draw new, younger voters into the process. If the majority of those who vote June 9 are members of the party faithful, the more familiar Deeds or Moran could break through.

The AFSCME endorsement, meanwhile, adds to a broader sense of momentum for McAuliffe, who won a recent annual political Northern Virginia straw poll by double digits.

"I am proud to have earned AFSCME's endorsement," McAuliffe said in a statement. "Every day, their members are working to serve the people of Virginia, and I will be honored to have them at my side. Together, we will work to create quality jobs and establish Virginia as a leader in the new economy."

Tags: afscme, economy, endorsements, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Too far

Today, one of our Democratic opponents took their attacks against Terry too far. Virginia Democrats have worked too long and too hard to stand by and watch the divisiveness that's plagued the Republicans start poisoning our Party just when we've had great success.

Everyone knows that Terry McAuliffe supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries. But the day after she got out of the race, he hit the road fighting for Barack Obama. Terry spent the last 30 years of his life volunteering to advance Democratic causes; he even built from scratch the voter file that that helped Barack Obama win in Virginia. And to insinuate that he is a traitor to our Party is beyond nonsense -- it is a Karl Rove-style attack.

I've always said that this primary was going to get rough, but in all the years I've worked in Virginia politics, I've never seen another Democrat use the kind of smear tactics that are being used against Terry for taking a bipartisan approach to politics - just like Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Jim Webb and Barack Obama.

Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.

Terry's the most positive person I've ever come across, and we've made it clear from day one that this campaign isn't going to attack other Democrats. Republican nominee Bob McDonnell is the one who's fought Governors Warner and Kaine's agenda to move Virginia forward over the last seven years, so we're saving our criticism for him.

But you better believe that we're going to set the record straight when our opponents start flinging mud Terry's way. That's why today, I want to share with you a portion of our website where you can get the information you need to fight back against misleading attacks and spread the truth. We're counting on you.

Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.

We cannot let these petty political games get in the way of the real issues facing our Commonwealth. That's why Terry's taken a different approach in this campaign.

Just yesterday the Richmond Times Dispatch wrote that "McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring." The newspaper said that "his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign."

This campaign starts with you. And we're counting on your help to spread the truth so that we can focus on urgent economic problems staring us in the face.

Click Here to Get the Facts about the Attacks Against Terry.

The bottom line is that stakes are way too high for Democrats to be tearing each other down. Sustained job creation, health insurance for our families, and progress in public education all depend on continued forward-thinking Democratic leadership in the governor's office.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, mike henry, positive, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia

Deeds-McAuliffe-Moran Agree to 5 Debates, 3 Joint Appearances Across Virginia

Today, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe, and Brian Moran announced that, pending format negotiations, they have accepted and would participate in 5 debates across the Commonwealth, as well as 3 joint appearances. Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey, McAuliffe campaign manager Mike Henry, and Moran general consultant Steve Jarding released the following joint statement on the announcement of the debates:

"We are pleased to announce this debate and joint appearance schedule in the run-up to the June 9th primary to pick our next Democratic Governor of Virginia. Our campaigns worked together to schedule as many joint appearances and debates as possible all across the Commonwealth. Our candidates – Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe, and Brian Moran – look forward to having several spirited debates on the important issues facing Virginians."

The three campaigns agreed to the following debates: April 19th: Farm Team Debate in Williamsburg April 23rd: Virginia Education Association's Convention Debate in Hampton April 28th: Sorensen Institute/Danville Register & Bee Debate in Danville April 29th: Huffington Post/Not Larry Sabato/Fire Dog Lake/Collegiate Times Debate in Blacksburg May 19th: Washington Post/Northern Virginia Community College Debate in Annandale Deeds, McAuliffe, and Moran have also agreed to make joint appearances at the following forums: April 3rd: Northern Virginia Technology Council/Microsoft Forum in McLean April 21st: Crusade for Voters Forum in Richmond TBD: Democratic Club of Greensprings Forum in Greensprings Additional details on the debates and joint appearances will be released in the coming weeks. All campaigns have received over thirty requests for debates and appearances and are honored by the level of public interest in this campaign.

Tags: brian moran, creigh deeds, debates, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia governor

Great Expectations

March 25th, 2009
Editorial
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe is not only raising the volume of the gubernatorial contest. He is also raising the bar.

McAuliffe is rolling out a series of position papers on energy and business that go well beyond the typical two-page brochure full of bromides. This is not to say they eschew bromides; they include plenty. But they include more than mere bromides. In this day and age, that's commendable.

It's also risky. Staking out policy details invites scrutiny and a demand for more. How, for instance, does McAuliffe plan to "improve the efficiency of home natural gas furnaces"? How will his emphasis on fostering innovative technology avoid redundancy in state efforts? (Virginia already has a Center for Innovative Technology, for instance.) How would his attempt to streamline the regulatory permitting process differ from similar attempts in the past?

McAuliffe's latest proposal calls for a pilot program in which the state would help businesses defray the cost of their federal payroll taxes. That looks a lot like former Gov. Jim Glimore's car-tax relief, which uses state funds to offset local revenue lost by rolling back the personal-property tax. Some state Democrats have long criticized car-tax relief as little more than a tax-revenue shell game.

Yet by inviting such questions, McAuliffe invites other contenders to focus on issues of genuine substance rather than petty personal attacks and cheap, zinger-of-the-day point-scoring. A well-known aphorism (or perhaps a bromide) contends that small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas. Petty personal attacks and cheap zingers will appear with more frequency as November approaches. But if it is too much to call McAuliffe a great mind, then at least his substantive pitches have raised expectations and pointed the way toward a different, more high-toned campaign.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, editorial, governor, ideas, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe reveals plan to revive jobs

March 24th, 2009
Garren Shipley
The Northern Virginia Daily

With Virginia's economy shedding jobs and unemployment rising, the campaigns of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates are finding a common, familiar refrain.

As Bill Clinton's lead political strategist, James Carville, famously said during the 1992 presidential race, "It's the economy, stupid."

Unemployment in the Old Dominion rose to 6.4 percent in January after seeing rates as low as 3 percent in 2006, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. Manufacturing wages and hours worked also fell.

All four gubernatorial candidates have pushed the economy to the forefront of their campaigns, as they slug it out in advance of the June primary for the Democrats' spot on the November ballot.

The winner will face former Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe rolled out the second part of his campaign's "Business Plan for Virginia" on Monday, emphasizing help for Virginia's small businesses and areas of high unemployment.

Under his plan, businesses that create jobs in high unemployment areas would get help from Richmond in paying their federal tax bills -- a refund of the higher federal payroll taxes levied for employees in Virginia.

But there are caveats.

"These jobs will have to offer benefits, such as health insurance, and will have to be in high-growth industries, like energy," McAuliffe said.

Former Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, picked up the theme last week, introducing his vision of a retooled state government to protect taxpayers.

In addition to streamlined procurement procedures for state purchases, all programs would face a sunset review panel, which would review every program in state government once every 10 years.

Programs that aren't needed would be discontinued.

Other states have found significant cost savings by creating review commissions. Texas saved $37 for every $1 it spent on its panel, according to Moran's campaign.

Economic issues are also the top priority for Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, the third Democratic entrant in the race.

Bringing jobs back to the commonwealth means re-tooling the state's community college system to retrain workers, the campaign says in a statement.

"Every Virginian is within an hour's drive of a community college -- creating the perfect infrastructure to train or retrain workers for new jobs," Deeds' campaign said.

"North Carolina is using its community college system to take laid off $15,000 per year textile workers and training them to be $40 to $50 per hour pharmaceutical manufacturing workers," Deeds' campaign said.

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

McAuliffe emphasizes revitalization

March 24th, 2009
John Crane
The Danville Register & Bee

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled the second chapter of his statewide business plan Monday at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.

He emphasized the need for tax incentives for industries to deliver high-paying jobs to economically depressed Southside Virginia, as well as strengthening existing small businesses.

“I will not be satisfied until every part of Virginia sees economic growth,” McAuliffe said.

The first chapter of his plan was revealed about two weeks ago and focused on renewable energy. The second part stresses revitalizing the economy and creating good jobs in Virginia.

McAuliffe said he would make sure his plan is tailored to different regions’ respective needs.

“My No. 1 job as governor will be to create and attract good jobs,” McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe pointed to the Southside region’s high unemployment rates, with the city of Danville at 16.8 percent and the city of Martinsville at 18 percent.

To alleviate joblessness, the candidate said he would establish a pilot program to award tax incentives to employers who bring high-wage jobs to the area.

For example, if a company employs more Virginia workers, or pays them higher wages, the commonwealth will pay the extra payroll taxes the federal government imposes compared to the previous year, McAuliffe said. Those jobs must be in high-growth industries, such as energy, and offer benefits, he said.

“I want to create jobs in the industries of the future,” McAuliffe said.

Part of that plan is to offer grants to communities to help them purchase large tracts of land for mega-park projects offering at least 1,000 jobs, he said, pledging to focus on incentives like financial assistance, infrastructure development grants and tax credits.

Small businesses are the backbone of this state, McAuliffe said, noting almost half of the state’s work force is employed by small businesses.

“We need to help small businesses to start up and to flourish in Virginia,” he said.

McAuliffe said he would expand small business incubators that provide resources to them like office space, supplies, advice for startups and help accessing capital. He said he would create more types of assistance for startups and allow startups in high-growth industries to defer their taxes for several years.

The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee also pledged to form an advisory committee to keep him abreast of up-and-coming economic issues unique to each region in the state.

During an interview after the presentation, McAuliffe, who was stumping in Danville the same day as Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, would not comment on the issue of uranium mining.

Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill about six miles northeast of Chatham. The Virginia Coal & Energy Commission’s Uranium Mining Subcommittee is overseeing a study to determine whether uranium can be mined and milled safely in the state.

“Let’s wait to see the results of the study,” McAuliffe said.

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

McAuliffe would use tax incentives to attract new jobs

March 24th, 2009
Michael Sluss
The Roanoke Times

New tax breaks and more generous incentives can help Virginia create and keep jobs and boost economies in struggling areas of the state, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe said Monday.

McAuliffe said that Virginia should offer new and more generous incentives to compete with other states for major employers, particularly in emerging industries such as renewable energy. He announced his proposals during a visit to Danville, part of a region struggling with high unemployment rates.

"The smartest strategies for sustained economic growth do not focus on creating or retaining just any business or job to Virginia," McAuliffe said. "Instead, we need to go out and attract those sustainable industries that will grow in the future, that will pay good wages, that will include good benefits."

McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is battling state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former state Del. Brian Moran for the party's nomination, which will be decided in a June 9 primary. Former attorney general Bob McDonnell is the presumptive Republican nominee and will begin a formal campaign kickoff tour Saturday.

McAuliffe's announcement Monday covered the second element of his emerging "business plan" for the state.

He proposed a pilot tax credit program to lure high-growth industries with generous wages and benefits to areas with high unemployment rates. Under his proposal, the state would refund any increase in federal payroll taxes paid by a company that employs more Virginia workers or increases their wages. But the state would benefit, he said.

"The good news about a program like this [is] you're not doing this unless new jobs are being created," McAuliffe said in a conference call with reporters. "So I'm going to have someone new paying state taxes and new revenue for us."

McAuliffe also called for an additional $10 million in the Governor's Opportunity Fund, a discretionary "deal-closing" fund that provides grants for infrastructure and site improvements for new and expanding businesses. And he proposed creating regional site planning grants that local governments could use for planning of sites suitable for major business prospects.

McAuliffe's plan also includes steps to boost access to capital for new and expanding businesses, such as creation of a $10 million revolving fund that could be used for direct investments in "homegrown businesses" with significant growth potential. Similar steps have been taken in other states, he said.

In a conference call, McAuliffe batted away questions about