WILLIAMSBURG
The three Democrats running for governor aired plenty of differences about their qualifications but few over specific issues during their first debate on Sunday.
The three - state Sen. Creigh Deeds, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and former Del. Brian Moran - reserved their sharpest words for each other's fundraising efforts in a 90-minute exchange at the College of William and Mary.
"We will not be the party of the middle class if we are beholden to Donald Trump or to tainted defense contractors who have received millions of earmarks...," Deeds said. "We have lost our way if we allow the Wall Street culture or the corrupt political establishment to dictate our agenda for the next four years."
Deeds was referring to recent disclosures that Trump, the mega-developer, made a $25,000 contribution to McAuliffe and that Moran had received donations from defense contractors that had business before a congressional panel that his brother - U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D- Va. - serves on.
Moran said it should not be surprising that contractors are taking an interest in his campaign. "These are Virginia companies with Virginia employees that are protecting Virginians overseas and at home," he said.
McAuliffe made no comment about his donation from Trump, one of many he has received from prominent out-of-state sources he cultivated as DNC chairman. McAuliffe raised $4.2 million in the first quarter of the year, well over twice the combined totals of Moran and Deeds.
McAuliffe said his fundraising prowess would come in handy this fall in a general election race against former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is unopposed for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He noted that Virginia and New Jersey are the only states holding gubernatorial races this year and predicted McDonnell will receive huge sums from national Republican sources.
About 80 percent of the money McAuliffe has raised this year came from outside Virginia, a pattern that Moran criticized.
"Terry's fundraising in places I've never been: Park Avenue, Hollywood," Moran said.
Each of the three portrayed himself as the most qualified candidate.
Deeds sought to position himself as a champion of the working class, noting that his wife works and they have raised four children. Moran said he has the deepest experience working in Virginia government, citing his background as a prosecutor and his years as chairman of the Democratic caucus in the House of Delegates. McAuliffe said he is best qualified to create jobs in Virginia, saying he had decades of experience starting up companies around the nation.
On issues, the candidates largely echoed one another. All said they support the death penalty.
They also all support closing a loophole that allows people to buy firearms at gun shows without undergoing background checks. Moran and McAuliffe oppose legislation that would allow concealed weapons in bars; Deeds supports it.
All three said they voted against a 2006 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Virginia. Moran said he would fight to repeal the amendment. McAuliffe, however, noted that the amendment has broad public appeal and said it would be senseless to try to expunge it.
"As governor, I want to focus on the things I can change, like creating jobs," he said.
None of the candidates dismissed the possibility of raising the gas tax to generate money for transportation. McAuliffe, however, seemed the one most reluctant to take that step, saying, "In a down economy, you don't want to be taking money out of people's pockets."
The debate was sponsored by the Farm Team, an organization seeking to promote the election of women in Virginia. Four more debates are scheduled before the June 9 Democratic primary.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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mcdonnell
Just because McDonnell has political experience doesn't mean he will make a good Governor. Afterall what has he done for VA as AG?
McDonnell has served Virginia MUCH longer than McAuliffe
If McDonnell was born in Philly, he wasn't there long. He has lived in Virginia most of his life, attending school, serving his community and the state of Virginia. Went to college at Notre Dame with ROTC.....and came back to Virginia to serve, both here and in military. And how has McAuliffe served this state? what has he done? has he been a district attorney? delegate? Attorney general? Senator? has he worked his way up? NOPE. He is a plant. He has done nothing for this state, except now he wants to be governor. Deeds and Moran have also served this state, working to help the citizens. Again, what has McAuliffe done? oh, yeah, he was the DNC guy!!! guess that qualifies him (NOT)
I have issues with all 3
"Moran and McAuliffe oppose legislation that would allow concealed weapons in bars; Deeds supports it." Not so good for Deeds
"All three said they voted against a 2006 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Virginia. Moran said he would fight to repeal the amendment. McAuliffe, however, noted that the amendment has broad public appeal and said it would be senseless to try to expunge it."
McAuliffe, just lost my vote unless he changes his position.
What I want to know is how they supported the smoking ban in bars and restaurants. That clould be the deal breaker.
Our Senators aren't from here originally..
If being born outside the state makes one a carpetbagger (if and when they seek public office) please note that both of our Senators Webb and Warner are thus carpetbaggers. Webb was born in Missouri, and Warner in Indiana.
Personally, I don't think that term applies to them, Saint Hillary of A-Clinton would be a prime example of an actual one, she moved to New York EXPRESSLY to run for office there. But seeing how Webb's name has been bandied about here, I thought I'd throw that in..
Hey, no need to thank me, I'm glad to do it!
Yea
How amusing to listen to the same ole right wingers that spoke so highly of "The Decider" you know the guy that Bushwhacked this country and sent it into a downward crash!
Yea, it's amusing to the see the name call and stereotype stereotype because of the slogan and slogan of the name call stereotype of the unsupported claim.
Good reading material: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy
oh god, book two
How amusing to read yet another post using the terms "bushwhacked', "crashed", and "ditch".
Might I suggest a visit to your favorite 'talking points' sight for some new material?
The only democratic candidate from VA
is deeds. MacAuliffe has yet to shed the carpetbagger quality I feel like he has. Moran is from NOVA, but originally from Natick, Massachusetts, and I doubt his Bahston (Boston) accent will go over well in rural VA. Deeds was born in Richmond and there is no doubt he is tough on crime. The man wrote Virginia's version of Meghan's law!
You expected something different?
"Issues shortchanged in Democratic candidates' debate." Well, it was a democrat debate, and you expect something different?
Oh God!
How amusing to listen to the same ole right wingers that spoke so highly of "The Decider" you know the guy that Bushwhacked this country and sent it into a downward crash!
We are in a ditch because these same people supported the worst president in US History! Now they are going to bash anyone trying to recover from the Bush disaster. May God forgive them!
JWB
RESPONSE TO EVAN J
Submitted by EvanJ on Mon, 04/20/2009 at 11:23 am.
So sad that the Country "seems" to be on a positive roll and up pops this nonsense.
Too bad that "positive roll" is right toward a cliff where the stupidity of socialism is repeated.
I never said I voted for the guy but he is "our" President and his failures will be "our" failures.
I'm also afraid of socialism but the citizens need to get into the "whys" and not the general observations on the "what's" of this administration.
It "appears" the President is doing everything he said he was going to do. Like it or not he's here for the next 4 years and this is ONE Country.
Governor's Debate
Terry has lived in McLean for 20 years. Never been involved in Virginia politics or community service.
He is a DLC person, a Clinton operative.
He says he has created thousands of jobs, where are they? If you google him and business, there is nothing. Any business he had were out of his home.
So where are those thousands of jobs?
He meets every question with JOBS!!
He is a fast talker and at the debate said some really weird things. He was always moving around, drinking water and just nervous looking.
Brian and Creigh were good, Brian was more factual and answered even negative questions from Terry with facts.
How nice is that.
All in all, it was Brain's debate. I like both Creigh and Brian and would vote for either but Terry? Nada.
Terry for Virginia
Terry McAuliffe moved to Virginia almost 20 years ago. He's worked here, owned businesses here, voted here, and paid all his taxes here. By the way, Brian Moran is from Boston and Bob McDonnell is from Philadelphia. Terry McAuliffe wanted to live in Virginia. He could have moved to Delaware, with no corporate tax. He decided he wanted to raise his 5 children in Virginia, with his wife Dorothy. If you are looking for real substance and depth, try looking at his business plan for Virginia on his website. Twenty-two pages of policy related to the economy. Thirty pages relating to energy. I am proud to support Terry McAuliffe for Governor in 2009.
kudos Warren Fiske, VP
Thank you Mr. Fisk for having the audacity to write something at least quasi-negative about the Dem Party.
Us "non-denominationals" get tired of reading how only Repubs can be issue evadin' rascals.
what's new
Isn't this about what politics has been reduced to anyway?
Carpetbaggers, hustlers, "career" politicians. Very few "statesmen" or even those caring about or aware of things like the Constitution - U.S. or Virginia.
Sorry "Traveller" - though I wholeheartedly endorse Sen. Webb as a brave combat vet & even a fiction writer, he is, as an elected rep of the citizens of our Old Dominion, a huge disappointment - now mostly a
partisan hack for the Demn Party & personification of the Peter Principle.
Yes, he occasionally throws a bone to Veterans, of which I am one, and as long as his bonethrowing is in accord w/ the Constitution, that's fine. But, his blind obedience to Harry Reid and Pres. Obama - Constitution be damned - only serve to keep this nation divided & headed in the wrong direction.
What?
So sad that the Country "seems" to be on a positive roll and up pops this nonsense.
Too bad that "positive roll" is right toward a cliff where the stupidity of socialism is repeated.
How about Virginia first?
We need to get a Gov. back in Richmond that wont be a mouthpiece for the DNC. Lets get the Clinton operatives out of this state and get an executive that will consider ALL Virginins when developing policy instead of just northern va.
Buying the governorship
Didn't McAuliffe move into Virginia just to run for governor? Has he been living here, paying taxes here, working here? seems like we have enough outsiders here.....we need someone to lead this state who is actually FROM here.
DEBATE
So sad that the Country "seems" to be on a positive roll and up pops this nonsense.
To start with, Terry McAuliffe is a ZERO who is more a carnival barker & salesman than leader.
Where's the real leadership again?
Bring the Jim Webb "types" into this picture not this group of "opportunists".
Identical
That just tells us they are pretty much identical on the issues and there's nothing with substance to debate.