And the third Democrat running for governor in 2009 comes to town...

Let's take a look at the landscape:

You've got an already crowded field for governor with three candidates that have been running for at least a year - if not more unofficially. You've done little or no groundwork in Hampton Roads. You're facing a politically hung over electorate wasted after two solid years of sifting through White House hopefuls. And the primary race is a little over 6-months away at the beginning of June.

Well, darn it - sounds like it's about time for a "conversation with Virginians about the future of the commonwealth."

Democrat Terry McAuliffe is making a swing this weekend through Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, but it's not a campaign swing yet. He's just checking out the mood and looking to build momentum for his - purely hypothetical at this point - shot at the Executive Mansion. McAuliffe starts in Prince Williams County Saturday morning before heading for Norfolk and Portsmouth.

McAuliffe has been a major player in the Democratic Party for years - mainly as a political consultant known for a powerful ability to raise money. He served as finance director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and also chaired the Democratic National Committee. 

To be sure, McAuliffe has more of a national resume then a Virginia resume and he's facing off against a couple of guys who have been on the road on the campaign trail for months. 

Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds have both been circling the state like the election was this year. But McAuliffe surely thinks that his purse string power and recognition in Northern Virginia can carry him to a win in June and a date with Attorney Gen. Bob McDonnell. (what a swell parting gift right?)

But the June primary is going to be different animal, it always is. Jim Webb won the Democratic primary in 2006 with about 83,000 votes - the turnout was a staggering 3.4 percent. In 2005, Republican Jerry Kilgore won the gubernatorial nod with 145,002 votes - and a massive 3.98 percent turnout. 

The folks who turnout in June are the wonks - the insiders - the party people who don't miss a chance at the ballot box. Nerds like us. How is McAuliffe's run going to sit with those folks? 

Then again predictions don't mean a whole heck of a lot and who says that a year of campaigning isn't enough. In November 2007, who was saying that Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain would survive the presidential primaries? 

For more about McAuliffe got to www.terrymcauliffe.com/home

Here's his Saturday agenda:

Occoquan
8:30 a.m.
Terry McAuliffe attends Democratic Roundtable
Terry will be having breakfast and talking with local Prince William Democrats at the Garden Kitchen in Occoquan at 404 Mill St.

Norfolk
1:30 p.m.
Terry McAuliffe attends the Norfolk State University vs. Delaware State football game
Terry will be rooting on the Norfolk State Spartans and celebrating Senior and military Appreciation Day. For more information on tickets visit www.nsuspartans.com

Portsmouth
6:00 p.m.
Terry McAuliffe attends the Friends of Hampton Roads Annual Scholarship Gala
Terry will be helping to support this year's scholarship recipients by attending this yearly black tie fundraiser. To find out more information on how you can obtain tickets and support this scholarship fund visit  www.friendsofhamptonroads.com

Comments

[Independent-Moderate]

This just in...... message to Terry McAuliffe....... You are just as delusional as Jim Gilmore was thinking that Virginian's will support you in a statewide office run in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Better go to Florida where the reception (and climate) will be a little warmer.