McAuliffe on race: 'It's all about jobs'

April 29th, 2009
The Martinsville Bulletin
Debbie Hall

Jobs — and the candidate best qualified to create them — will drive both the Democratic primary in June and the election in November, according to Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe.

“It’s all about jobs,” McAuliffe said during a campaign stop at the Binding Time in Martinsville on Tuesday. Consistently in his campaign, “I’m focused on one thing: jobs.”

And that focus would not change if he is elected governor, he said.

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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."

Click here to read more and view the ad.

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."

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Ex-President Clinton campaigning in Virginia for his longtime friend

April 28th, 2009
The Free-Lance Star
Chelyen Davis

Former president Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail for old friend Terry McAuliffe yesterday, telling a crowd of several hundred in Richmond that McAuliffe's business experience makes him "made for this moment."

Clinton, who made stops with McAuliffe at Richmond's Farmers Market and in Roanoke, said McAuliffe has experience creating and saving jobs, and that's what is needed in the next governor.

"It matters who the governor is," Clinton said. "He was made for this moment to be the governor in Virginia It matters if you're creative, it matters if you know how to work with people."

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Gov. candidate, Bill Clinton hit energy, jobs theme

Associated Press
April 27, 2009
Bob Lewis

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton told Democrats that if they liked the way America grew jobs under his watch, they'll love what Terry McAuliffe does as Virginia governor.
In the first of two stops Monday, longtime friends and political comrades Clinton and McAuliffe defined energy and jobs as the dominant issues in the campaign.
Clinton told about 350 people at a Richmond rally that McAuliffe was right to push offshore wind energy and technologies to turn poultry waste into power.
Later in Roanoke, he told about 250 people that the only way to put Virginians to work with a good wage over the next 10 years is to change the way the nation produces and consumes power.

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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.

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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.

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McAuliffe Praises Interior Department Announcement on Offshore Wind Energy

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s action to finalize the rules for renewable energy production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

"I was thrilled to see President Obama and Secretary Salazar clear the way for renewable energy development along the Atlantic coast. Wind power off Virginia’s coast has the potential to power of millions of homes and generate thousands of new jobs. I look forward to working with the Obama Administration to make Virginia a leader in off-shore wind technology.”
McAuliffe has pledged to build at least one wind farm off the coast of Virginia by the end of his term as Governor.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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.

Click here to read more.

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.

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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.

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McAuliffe Releases Statement on Two Year Anniversary of Virginia Tech Tragedy

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released the following statement:

"Two years ago, 32 students and faculty lost their lives in an unthinkable tragedy at Virginia Tech. Dorothy and I are inspired by the courage of the survivors and the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers go out today to everyone in the Virginia Tech family."

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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.

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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."

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McAuliffe wants to give teachers a raise, help with loans

Richmond Times Dispatch
April 14, 2009
Jeff Schapiro

Terry McAuliffe wants to pay teachers more — and help them pay their bills.

Pitching for the important teachers vote in the June 9 primary, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate is going beyond an article of faith with educators: pushing their wages to the national average.

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McAuliffe, Deeds seek better teacher pay

Associated Press
April 14, 2009
Bob Lewis

RICHMOND | Two of the four candidates in this year’s gubernatorial sweepstakes called for improved teacher pay and incentives, expanded worker training and more affordable college tuition Monday.

Democrats Terry McAuliffe and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds outlined detailed education platforms in separate news conferences as they and fellow Democrat Brian J. Moran head toward a June 9 primary.

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McAuliffe Signs VA Dems Petition Protesting McDonnell's Opposition to Extending Unemployment Benefits

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.

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Richmond Democratic Leaders Endorse McAuliffe for Governor

Today, over a dozen Richmond community activists and leaders announced their support for Terry McAuliffe’s campaign for Governor. They released the following statement outlining why he is the best candidate for the job:

“We are pleased to endorse Terry McAuliffe, and his campaign to win the Virginia Democratic primary. As grassroots leaders, we encourage all voters in the City of Richmond and surrounding areas to vote for Terry McAuliffe on June 9, 2009.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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

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

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

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

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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McAuliffe Condemns Voter Suppression Remarks from McDonnell Surrogate Mike Huckabee

Today, on a conference call with reporters, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell surrogate Mike Huckabee's remarks encouraging voter suppression.

At a recent campaign event, Huckabee was caught on tape making the following statement: "You have two jobs. One, get all those people who are going to vote for Bob out to the polls and vote. If they're not going to vote for Bob, you have another job. Let the air out of their tires and do not let them out of their driveway on Election Day. Keep 'em home. Do the Lord's work, my friend. I'm giving you an opportunity…yes, do the right thing." Video of Huckabee's remarks can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDMMGw_S9eo.

McAuliffe released the following statement: "When I became the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, the very first thing I announced was the formation of the Voting Rights Institute. Every year, we have seen attempts at voter suppression all across the country. Let's be clear: there are no jokes to be made about denying people the right to vote in this country. It's not a laughing matter. This is a right that people fought and died for, so as public figures, we must be sure that we are setting the standard.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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!"

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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.

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