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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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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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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Richmond Veterans Face Steep Climb to Governor's Office

Washington Post
By Tim Craig
January 22, 2009

During this year’s campaign for governor of Virginia, one piece of trivia that will probably be invoked is that since Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1976, the party that has won the White House has lost the state’s race for governor the next year.

But here is another tidbit that might be more relevant in this year’s contest: Since 1957, no delegate or state senator has won the nomination for governor without first leaving the General Assembly to serve in a higher office.

In Virginia, where governors can run for only one term, major party nominees in modern times have been sitting or former lieutenant governors, attorneys general, congressmen or businessmen.

Brian Moran (D), who resigned last month from the House of Delegates to focus on fundraising, and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) are hoping to buck that trend. But first, they have to get past Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

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Investor Report

As a successful businessman, Terry McAuliffe knows how to get the most out of a dollar. Shareholders, employees and consumers all depend on him to make tough decisions to preserve their wealth and their jobs.

Successful companies are accountable to their investors. And that’s the same approach Terry’s taken toward this campaign. Your contributions allow us to communicate Terry’s message of economic opportunity directly to Virginians. And to serve you better, we’ve prepared a report documenting what we’ve done so far.

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