All four of the men running for Governor appeared in Richmond yesterday:
RICHMOND, Dec. 2 — While three of the four men vying to be Virginia’s next governor talked up their lengthy résumés in state government Tuesday, newcomer Terry McAuliffe pitched himself as a Richmond outsider who could change government.
Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and Del. Brian J. Moran, both Democrats, and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, a Republican, all have years of experience on Capitol Square. McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman, has lived in McLean for two decades but has had little involvement in state government or politics.
“I think there is an opportunity for someone who has not been in Richmond who can come in with some new ideas,” McAuliffe said.
The four likely candidates shared the stage for the first time at a debate Tuesday, unofficially launching a yearlong campaign for the state’s top job by answering questions from journalists in front of a packed room in downtown Richmond.
The informal debate centered more on personality and records and less on issues. Most of the attention landed on McAuliffe, a nationally known political celebrity who calls Bill and Hillary Clinton close friends and appears on Sunday morning talk shows, but whose views on key state issues are virtually unknown
There was, however, some substance to come out of the forum in the form of two Democratic candidates who displayed an appalling level of economic ignorance:
Two of three Democrats likely to vie for governor next year on Tuesday declined to rule out increasing taxes if the state’s economic problems deepen.
The Democratic trio and Atty. Gen. Bob McDonnell, who is unopposed for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, made their first joint appearance during a conference of journalists that cover state government.
“Everything should be on the table,” said Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria. His position was echoed by state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath.
Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who is eying a gubernatorial bid, disagreed. “You don’t raise taxes in a down economy,” he said.
McDonnell also rejected taxes, saying lawmakers should cut spending. “The worst thing you can do during a recession is try to tax yourself to prosperity,” he said.
McDonnell and McAuliffe are right, of course, but one wonders if the Democrats who will select their candidate for Governor realize just how wrong Deeds and Moran are.
H/T: D.J. McGuire
