Why I’m supporting Brian Moran: He’s been there
By Joel McDonald • Mar 16th, 2009 • Category: Blog, Campaigns & Elections
There’s been a flurry of blogger endorsements for candidates for the Democratic nomination for this year’s gubernatorial race, and, while I have not been particularly quiet about my support of Brian Moran, I thought I would write about why I am supporting him in this election.
Along with Brian Moran, Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe are vying for the Democratic nomination. I’ve seen all three candidates up close. I’ve heard their stump speeches, seen how they work rooms, took note of how others responded to them, and have formed my own personal view of each candidate. Prior to meeting any of the candidates, I researched their educational, professional, and political histories, and formed some opinions based solely on this black and white information. I had to mix that information with the impression I was left with after meeting the candidates.
Here’s what I came up with:
On paper, Brian Moran was my candidate of choice. His service to the state of Virginia and his views on issues were moderately progressive. I felt he would be the kind of candidate that could win the support of swing voters in Virginia, while also taking the commonwealth in a progressive step forward if elected.
My second choice on paper was Creigh Deeds. On paper, there’s not very much difference between Moran and Deeds; however, due to Deeds coming from a more conservative district in Virginia, the positions he has taken in the past have hampered my ability to classify him as a progressive Democrat. One could also make the argument that he was weak during times where Democrats should have taken a hard line against conservative ideology, specifically in regard to ensuring equal rights for all people.
My third choice was Terry McAuliffe. There’s not much to say about the work he’s done for the people of Virginia, because that work as been indirect from the national party level. He has never served the people of Virginia directly. McAuliffe is a super-star on the Democratic National Committee, and served as chairman. Anyone considering McAuliffe has to consider the sheer amount of money and national support he would amass in order to win the election in Virginia. It’s somewhat frightening to sail against that force, real or imagined. However, I felt that a significant number of Virginians would not be responsive to McAuliffe, and I could see the presumed Republican nominee, Bob McDonnell, being perceived as the stronger candidate.
Now, after having met the candidates, my ranking hasn’t changed very much. Brian Moran is still my choice for Governor. He may have, in my opinion, made some mistakes during his campaign; but, I still feel that Brian Moran is the best choice for the Democratic nomination. I feel he is best suited to race against Bob McDonnell in the general election. I think he can win.
While Creigh Deeds is a great leader in Virginia, I feel he is missing the strength that Brian Moran has. This is totally a perception thing. Elections are not entirely about the message. It’s as much about the messenger, and it’s my opinion that Brian Moran is a stronger messenger than Deeds. With their messages being similar, I chose Moran.
Terry McAuliffe is proving to be a force of nature, gaining momentum throughout the state. His message is jobs. With the current status of the economy, and unemployment on the rise throughout the nation, this is a message that will resonate with people. I commend McAuliffe for branding it as his own, even though it’s a goal that every candidate in this election should have. However, the distinction between McAuliffe’s message of improving the economy through job growth and Moran’s message of improving the economy through job growth is simple.
He’s been there.
As a proven Democratic leader, Brian Moran has fought for the people of Virginia; bringing thousands of jobs to the commonwealth. He’s been there for Virginia, and will be there as our next governor.
I am supporting Brian Moran as the next Governor of Virginia because he’s been there for the people of the commonwealth. From job creation to the environment, he’s been there to fight for what is right and needed in Virginia. We need a governor who has the experience to move Virginia forward. Brian Moran is a candidate who we can trust to move us in the right direction. If we want progress in the commonwealth, Brian Moran should be our choice. He’s been there, and will be there, and that is why I am supporting him as the next Governor of Virginia, and I hope you will join me.
Related posts:
- To Brian Moran: It’s time refocus and cut the crap
- Brian Moran missed the mark at Virginia’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
- Over 150 grassroots activists strongly support Brian Moran for Governor
- Moran and Wagner lead in latest polling
- Latest PPP: Deeds leads, McAuliffe and Moran stagnant
Joel McDonald has been following Virginia politics since February 2008, starting with the Democratic Presidential Primary. Since then, he has been the primary new media contact for progressive district and statewide campaigns.
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I know the candidates and I would agree with this…except with Deeds and number 2.
Curious as to why Brian Moran’s website is a mistake. Looks like a mini-Obama website like everybody else’s.
well, evidently the majority of people polled about this race do not agree with you. Brian Moran has surrounded himself with the same old shop worn supporters who have failed to advanced even timid causes around here for decades. Moran’s record is boringly vanilla. He has not brought jobs or progress to Virginia despite his time in the House. He was not a leader who accomplished anything because he could not lead on issues. His campaign is nothing but negative because he has nothing upon which to compete other than his big brother’s name. He has run FROM the House hoping that he will not be associated with the reality that he accomplished astonishingly little in his tenure there.
Terry McAuliffe is 16 points ahead for a reason. People believe that Terry will work for THEM to get all of Virginia working again. With Terry’s energy and vision, the Democrats can maintain the State House AND capture both the House and Senate. Then Virginia will begin to reach its true potential as a generator of new jobs, leadership in new forms of energy, and become an international gateway for shipping, high-speed rail and aviation.
Virginia needs New Energy. We need Terry!
McAuliffe’s supporters have gone way to far in their attempts to discredit or skew Moran’s record. The reality is that Brian has led in moving Virginia forward. The House of Delegates has long been a barrier to progressive action, and Brian worked hard to shift the balance of power. His leadership has brought us much closer to being able to see some real action with the House than we’ve seen in recent history. Brian Moran worked with the governor to bring jobs and economic growth to Virginia. Unfortunately, that has been shadowed by the global economic decline.
I really wish McAuliffe was president right now. He seems to have this magic wand in his back pocket that is going to make jobs appear out of thin air. McAuliffe has no experience and public service, and his business experience is highly questionable. He knows people want jobs, and that’s what he’s promising. From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t actually have any better plan than any other candidate.
As for the latest 16 point lead…we’ll see. Many are questioning the sample and methodology of the poll. It’s an outlier, and outliers typically indicate some sort of error.