McAuliffe kicks off campaign tour for governor in Norfolk

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By Cindy Clayton
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 8, 2009

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

Submitted by George K on Thu, 01/08/2009 at 2:35 pm.

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

Submitted by Jon1982 on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 10:02 pm.

Kaine has ruined this state's economy. Vote Republican for VA governor and tell McAuliffe to go back to NY.

Such Negativity

Submitted by JB1973 on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 9:41 pm.

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?

Submitted by steveh3 on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 6:54 pm.

"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

Submitted by ov9576 on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 6:11 pm.

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...

Submitted by electricpaul on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 5:49 pm.

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

Submitted by Straight Talk on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 5:29 pm.

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.