Saturday, June 6, 2009 was a glorious day in Northern Virginia - great sunshine after several days of rain and gloomy weather. Terry McAuliffe invited his supporters to a relaxed barbecue with his family and friends, at his Virginia home. President Clinton who was visiting his mother in law for a celebration attended the event and made a great speech thanking the supporters and assuring them that McAuliffe would make the best Governor in all 50 states when he is elected. Probably about a hundred and fifty guests attended. The food was simple, guests very relaxed and every one had a great time. In true McAuliffe organization style, complimentary valet parking was arranged and so the guests could drive up to the doors of the home, and a team of excellent drivers took care of the cars.
I was discussing the amazing change of weather with another of the guests and remarked that this was a good omen and a good sign, that McAuliffe would be our next Governor and sunshine would spread across our commonwealth.
One of the volunteers at the event told me that last night she was returning home by taxi after doing some volunteer work at the campaign office, and her driver got chatting with her about her work and once he learned that she was a volunteer for McAuliffe, he said that he would love to support McAuliffe but did not have the time - however, when she reached her destination, he refused to accept her cab fare and tip! He said the least he could do for the Governor who cared about people and their jobs was provide a free ride to one of the volunteers who dedicated time to support a good Governor for the Commonwealth. The young woman was deeply touched and felt her actions greatly validated. As she told me this story, I felt honored to be part of this campaign.
I was chatting with a woman and her mother, a senior citizen. Both of them were scheduled to work the polls from 6:00 to 10:00 AM on election day! They were determined to do all they can to support McAuliffe because they felt very strongly we need a Governor who will bring jobs to Virginia, as the first step to pulling Virginia out of the recession.
Dorothy McAuliffe introduced President Clinton as a great friend and mentor, who began his speech by opining that the beautiful weather was an omen for candidate McAuliffe and for the Commonwealth of Virginia. President Clinton thanked all the volunteers and supporters and said that would be a key and contributory factor for his success as Governor. President Clinton very candidly said that when he was on the campaign trail some weeks ago, he admitted that after all McAuliffe had done for our country, for him and his family, he would have campaigned for McAuliffe even if he was a lousy candidate for Governor. But, he said that this was not even a misplaced fear. He had been Governor for three terms, 12 years, and his state was one of the most impacted by economic downturns and during his terms, he generated a record number of jobs and in his final term, the economy of his state was booming and he was voted as the most successful Governor in the country. Knowing what it takes to be a good Governor, President Clinton said he knew McAuliffe was the best candidate for our next Governor. He admitted that he knew all the candidates, they were good candidates, but for today's challenges the best qualified candidate was McAuliffe because he will bring new jobs to the Commonwealth. What we need today is a Big Personality Who Will Understand the Little Details - and McAuliffe knows the numbers and he will take the Commonwealth forward. McAuliffe is always optimistic, President Clinton said, not because he knows how good life is here, but because he knows how to make it better, and that is the difference! At the end of the Primary and General Elections, what people will ask is "Who will take Virginia forward? Who is the highest energy, highest visionary, who will bring new energy to the Commonwealth. You need some one who has a special skill set, a skill set that will pull Virginia out of the recession. That person is, President Clinton said, Terry McAuliffe and that is why I am so glad that this is a labor of love for me to support his candidacy and to ask you all to vote for the next Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe.
(more to come, this is work in progress and I have to bring my family home and will continue later tonight)