NORFOLK
Terry McAuliffe kicked off a series of campaign announcement town hall meetings this morning in Norfolk with a pledge to bring new jobs to Virginia and turn around the state's economy if he is elected governor.
McAuliffe, who pledged to explore alternative energy sources, said he backs a study of exploring for natural gas offshore but opposes offshore drilling.
He said he is against “raising taxes in a down economy,” and supports mandatory standards for companies to produce a percentage of power from renewable sources such as chicken waste.
McAuliffe said he is planning a large grassroots campaign and is inviting all Virginians to send him ideas via his Web site: www.terrymcauliffe.com. He has promised to respond to each idea within 24 hours.
McAuliffe said he supports high-speed rail built with public-private partnerships and other transportation initiatives.
He wants to make pre-kindergarten more accessible and college more affordable for families and pay teachers more. He also would lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.
He also said he would donate his salary as governor to build a gym for children.
Praising the work of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, McAuliffe said he supports a ban on smoking that Kaine has said he plans to back again this year.
McAuliffe said he supports early release for some state prisoners and restoration of voting rights. He also supports early voting.
McAuliffe served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005.
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No quality republican govenors since Linwood Holton
Take off the partisan binders. It does not matter where McAuliffe is from he does not exhibit good management skills.
I think most Virginia Democrats will ignore this guy.
Take Virgina Back
Kaine has ruined this state's economy. Vote Republican for VA governor and tell McAuliffe to go back to NY.
Such Negativity
Your comments make me ill. So intolerant of anyone unlike you. I never thought of voting for McAuliffe until reading your comments. Most of you said the same about Obama. I think I will certainly encourage others to check out Mr. McAuliffe. Remember, I told you long ago that Obama would be victorious and so he was!
Corrections?
"When times are bad, lower taxes and take on a deficit, when times are good, raise taxes and create a surplus."
The problem with libs is there is no surplus. They just create more programs to spend the new money. Then the times go bad and the deficit is that much worse. Warner raised taxes by over $1B to cover the debt with politicians saying they wouldn't have to raise taxes in a long time. So, the budget looks "ok" and Kaine adds programs and more spending to the budget. Now the economy isn't great; so where is the rainy day funds?
Raising taxes when times are good only prods politicians to spend it, not save it. It's not basic economics; it's basic liberalism. Unfortunately, the repubs are part of the problem.
Vote for Moran
I'm a Democrat and not voting for Terry. Many in our party are angry that he is running. I am supporting Brian Moran who is a proven leader in Virginia.
Steveh...
you're right on the money. I mentioned the same thing on a Jan 3rd post of mine. BTW (to all you liberals out there) why doesn't he influence the current governor to create some jobs now? Why wait until he (if elected) is in office? Oh yeah I forgot...the current governor presided over a $500,000,000 surplus not too long ago and now there is a shortfall of $1,000,000,000 and really is incompetent! You liberals do understand that a "surplus" is overtaxation right? It is money that comes in over and above the budget. It should have been returned to the taxpayers not spent on his own little pet projects! Oh wait! There is that little $1,100,000,000 "rainy day fund" he wants to tap into. Source for that is http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/gov-kaine-propose-big-cuts-doubling-cigarette-tax#comment-683016. That is taxpayer money and should be returned to the taxpayers!
Corrections
Just to correct some of the previous comments:
Carpet bagger is actually one word: carpetbagger
steveh3, not raising taxes in a bad economy and then raising them when the economy is good is just basic economcis. When times are bad, lower taxes and take on a deficit, when times are good, raise taxes and create a surplus.
Here's an idea...
Go back to New York where people like your socialistic government style and super high taxes.
Terry
What an oppertunist! I hope Virginians learned their lesson after suffering four years of Kaine!
A side note
How about our GOP stepping up and finding and promoting a decent candidate.
I would appreciate my faith somewhat being restored.
But I've always thought a demo head and a repub governing body always boded well. Locally and federally.
Guy's got nerve
First off folks, Get over Obama being elected and VA being blue for once. All the off color comments are just getting old and I, as I am sure many others do, just roll over your negativity for comments more legitimate and substantial.
That being said, who the heck does "this" guy think he is? I'm a 20 year import, but I don't remember him ever being a part of Virginia politics or even living here. Did I miss something?
I'm offended that McCauliffe thinks he can just come in from nowhere and get elected. If you're gonna be the governor of Old Dominion, then well, be from here or have grounded roots here.
Terry, this "ain't" New York. Find some other state to play with. Go home. Our commonwealth has more than a plethera of qualified candidates to run for our state governor.
Thanks!!!!!!!
It's hard to know where to begin
There are liberals and there are LIBERALS. McAuliffe is the latter. This is either the worst article ever written or he's got the strangest campaign I've ever seen. Open to exploration study but not for drilling? Why explore? Restore voting rights for some ex-cons? Yeah, people are beating down the door to vote for that!
More - "He wants to make pre-kindergarten more accessible and college more affordable for families and pay teachers more. He also would lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade. He also said he would donate his salary as governor to build a gym for children."
This guy is a laugh! Free car washes every Saturday!
But he's got my vote! Anyone who can build a gym for the children of ex-cons with newly restored voting rights for $540,000* has my support. If he can do that, think how much we could save on roads!
* $540,000 = 4 years times Tim Kaine's salary of $135,000
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Virginia
Mr. McAuliffe
With all due respect...go away.
I know you are full of fecal material because I have heard you speak, know of your past, and saw your lips moving. This means you are lying to me.
Just....go...away....before you bring any further shame upon you family name.
WHY
didn't Terry stay in New York and run for Sen Hill's seat? ODD Do you think he knows he could not have won it?? Virginians time put an end to this machine....no more gas..
Terry Mcauliffe couldn't manage a rural convenience store.
As soon as he left the chair of the party things got better. Do everyone a favor Terry, get a real job.
Payback
He used to be the DNC chairman and sent records amount of money to get Warner and Kaine elected governor. Now Kaine is going to be the DNC chairman and McCauliffe wants to be governor. Sounds like he’s expecting a payback.
Bloomberg jr.
How can I politely say take your Bloombergesque polices and go back to New York Carpet-Bagger.
You have no intention of representing the people of Virginia you only want to subvert Virginans in order to promote your own agenda.
Another snake oil salesman
He said he is against “raising taxes in a down economy,”
That must mean he’s for raising it when the economy is good so that he can fund the pet projects and promises he's making. Thanks but no thanks.
Suprise
Obammy got elected, why not him? Dems caved in and are letting Burry from Illinois. What a great party that democrat one. Hey Terry, know about the fist bumpin and aid drinkin? Way to get lots of votes these days, rest doesn't seem to matter.
Pleaseeee go away, Terry.
Pleaseeee go away, Terry.