The Post’s Tim Craig is reporting that Clinton adviser Terry McAuliffe is walking around Denver and talking about running for Governor of Virginia next year:
DENVER-Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a key adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY.) is considering running for governor of Virginia next year.
McAuliffe spoke to the Virginia delegation at the Democratic National Convention this morning. After his speech in support of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), McAuliffe distributed free copies of his latest book. He then spent nearly an hour signing autographs and chatting with the delegates.
Rumors that McAuliffe is interested in being governor of Virginia have been percolating around the convention all week. In an interview with reporters after his speech, McAuliffe did little to dampen speculation that he was considering entering next year’s race for the Democratic nomination.
“I’m focused on this election, I am going full time for Senator Obama,” said McAuliffe, who lives in McLean. “But I never rule anything out. …Everyday is a new opportunity. I would like to be Pope if I could.”
Unfortunately, for McAuliffe, Benedict XVI is frustrating his plans to ascend to the Papacy, and there are two Democrats already running for Governor:
Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) are the only announced candidates in the 2009 race for the Democratic nomination for governor.
When asked if he would jump into the governors race even though Deeds and Moran are already campaigning for the job, McAuliffe said, “I don’t rule anything out, we will see where we go.”
“I was a kid who grew up in Syracuse, I started my first business when I was 14, got lucky, started a couple companies and basically retired at a young age,” McAuliffe added. “I’ve spent the last 15 years as basically a full-time volunteer for the Democratic Party. I love its ideals…I never take anything off the table.”
Mo Elleithee, a Virginia-based Democratic consultant, said McAuliffe could “certainly shake things up” next year if he decided to run for governor.
“I think Terry McAuliffe is a dynamic and exciting figure,” Elleithee said. “I think he has the potential to be a very strong and formidable statewide candidate.”
More to come, I’m sure.
