Terry McAuliffe hopes his decades spent helping to elect democrats nationwide will pay off this year as he vies to become Virginia’s next governor. A former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he has also worked on numerous campaigns, including Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, earning the reputation of being a master fundraiser. Bill Clinton endorsed McAuliffe Monday at a rally in Shockoe Bottom.
“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 said in a speech to several hundred supporters.
"... But here's what I really want to tell you," he said. "I am here today for reasons that go way, way beyond that.”
He went on to advocate for McAuliffe’s plans for job growth, liking them to his achievem
ents as president.If elected McAuliffe said he wants to focus on creating high-paying green energy jobs by mandating cleaner energy standards and investing research dollars into public universities like VCU. His plans also include higher teacher salaries, investments in solar and wind power, and also converting chicken waste into clean energy. To pay for all this he is counting on a growing tax base but also said that he would “not raise taxes in a down economy.” He has not ruled out future tax increases.
Unlike the federal government, states are required to keep a balanced budget every year, but Virginia does have a AAA Bond rating, meaning the commonwealth has access to loans if needed.
His job creation plan counts on increased state revenues to succeed, but as political analyst and President of Virginia Tomorrow Bob Holsworth pointed out, “…until you get the growth, you can’t have that spending,” adding, “…This is more of a campaign strategy than a governing strategy.”
In keeping with his reputation, McAuliffe has trounced his democratic opponents in fundraising. As of April 15, he has raised $4.2 million this year, more than four times his closest competitor, Brian Moran, who raised about $800,000. Much of his money has come from out-of-state donors. The fundraising advantage has shown itself in polls. In the latest Survey USA poll, McAuliffe is leading Moran and Deeds by double digits, but all three democratic candidates trail presumed Republican nominee, former Attorney General Bob McDonnell in a recent Rasmussen poll. Despite good primary poll numbers, state leaders have not totally rallied around McAuliffe.
Clinton’s endorsement could help McAuliffe win more support from other state leaders, Holsworth said.
“Many of the high profile Virginians have not endorsed anybody,” he said. “…Warner, Ka
ine, Webb, and so what McAuliffe is hoping…one Clinton trumps fifty local officials who endorsed Moran or Deeds.”McAuliffe has never held public office and he has been absent in Virginia politics for the entire time he has called the commonwealth his home. He has lived in Northern Virginia for nearly twenty years. Opponents have used his absence in state politics to say that he is not qualified for the job, but McAuliffe spins it differently.
He said that he is “someone who will come in with a fresh approach, big bold ideas; Out of the box, strong business background.
“You can’t live in Virginia for nearly twenty years and not understand the problems because you live with that every single day.”
Holsworth sees his lack of experience here as more of a hindrance.
“It’s never easy to come into a state where you haven’t been actively involved and have people just fall in line behind you,” he said. “Money itself can’t buy you love that way.”
Even with the money advantage, if the election were held today, McDonnell would likely still win.
David Cary, President of VCU Students for Terry McAuliffe is not worried.
“McDonnell is winning now because the democratic vote is split 3 ways between Moran Terry and Deeds,” he said. “Things will change once one candidate is selected.”
But before McAuliffe can run against McDonnell, he has to first worry about winning the democratic primary on June 9.
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