( - promoted by kindler)
Obviously things are looking pretty good for Creigh Deeds right now as the Democratic nominee for Governor, but what about those other guys? Is this the end of the world for Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe? Both were once frontrunners. Both had more money and staff than Sen. Deeds. And they blew it! It's over for them! Right? Well, as Lee Corso would say: "Not so fast my friend."
For one thing, Democratic unity means not only good things for Deeds in November, but good things for Brian & Terry in 2010 and beyond. Sen. Deeds earned the admiration of many Moran & McAuliffe voters, and the feeling is mutual. You don't have to hope that these two guys will work their butts off for Creigh, JodyWagner, & Steve Shannon this year, you know they will.
Cross-Posted at Fred2Blue |
| For another thing, losing is no big deal. Everybody loses. Creigh Deeds in 2005, Mark Warner in 1996, and they're doing pretty good. In fact, the last 4 President have all lost congressional races early in their career. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, & George W. Bush all lost House races, while George H.W. Bush lost a Senate race in Texas to Lloyd Bentsen way back in the day (1980 was Ronald Reagan's third attempt at becoming President, following loses in '68 & '76. Richard Nixon lost a race for California Governor in '62 after his loss to JFK in '60, and still got elected President in '68). You get the idea. The things that a candidate learns just by running are worth their weight in gold, win or lose.
And how about future options? Where do you even begin..... we're a bellweather state bordering the nation's capital for god's sake.
McLean, home of Terry McAuliffe, is in the 10th congressional district, currently represented by Frank Wolf. Congressman Wolf is a safe incumbent, but the 10th is a blue district and Frank ain't getting any younger. And if Jim Moran's 8th district seat ever opens up, would anyone beat Brian Moran in a primary or general election? Nope. Plus, being a member of Congress from the D.C. suburbs is no ordinary gig. Members from Maryland and Virginia usually have the fast track to campaign committee chairman, since they can spend 365 days a year in the D.C. area (think Tom Davis, Chuck Robb, George Allen, Chris Van Hollen, etc. Watch for Gerry Connolly to possibly take the helm of the DCCC at some point in the future). If your party picks up seats while you head up one of those outfits, you become Congress' new goldenboy. George Allen, former NRSC Chairman, became one of his party's favorites for their '08 presidential nomination (pre-Macaca) after helping them pick up Senate seats in the '04 cycle. Tom Davis parlayed a successful NRCC gig into Chairman of the House Governmental Reform Committee. Chris Van Hollen is now Asst. Speaker after taking over the DCCC prior to '08. Heck, now that Rahm Emanuel is in The White House, Van Hollen could be Speaker in another 8-10 years (Rahm used his successful gig as DCCC Chair in '06 to win election as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus).
Actually Terry McAuliffe should look at what Rahm Emanuel, also a well-known party insider from the Clinton years, has done with his political career. Rahm ran for Congress in Illinois in a safe Democratic district. His political skills made him a fast-rising star in the House chamber, and he was well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming the first Jewish Speaker before accepting a job as White House Chief of Staff.
But maybe Congress isn't for Terry. Word is Hillary Clinton would have appointed him Commerce Secretary if she became President. That is a perfect fit. If a Commerce Department didn't exist, Terry would probably create it himself.
While Brian's older brother keeps his future seat in the House of Reps. warm for him, there's plenty to do in the meantime. Waaaay too many State Senators from northern Virginia are Republicans, and going from Democratic Caucus Chairman in the House of Delegates to the State Senate seemed to work out OK for that country lawyer from Bath county.
As a former prosecutor, a lot of people thought Brian Moran would be a formidable candidate for Attorney General one day. If he staked his claim to the 2013 nomination early (or late for that matter), I think he'd be a virtual lock. Especially after seeing Steve Shannon, a fellow NoVA Delegate, wipe the floor with Ken Cuccinelli in about 5 months.
What I'm saying is, don't feel bad for Brian & Terry. You WISH you had these kinds of "problems." |
