I just finished shopping at Wegmans today and ran into one of my neighbors who had been involved with me on the campaign for President Obama back in the fall. I mentioned that I'd been to a meeting of the new Organizing for Action group and that I was impressed with the turnout.
She asked me if I was going to campaign for Terry McCauliffe for governor and I said I planned to. She wrinkled her nose and said she wasn't going to, she didn't like him, though she would vote for him because the other guy was so bad. I asked her what she didn't like about Terry McAuliffe and she said she didn't know, she just didn't like him.
This isn't the first time my friends or neighbors have given me negative feedback about Terry McCauliffe, though I never get a good answer as to why they don't like him. One person told me that she had not been a supporter back in 2009 because she thought he was a carpet bagger. Terry McCauliffe has been a resident of Virginia for 20 years, I've only been here for 6, so I can understand wanting to get involved in your community even if you haven't been born in a place.
I just don't get it. In 2009, Virginia Democrats gave the nomination to Craig Deeds, probably the least charismatic candidate I have ever seen. When I saw his television ads, I had to look twice to make sure that the ads were being run by him and not the opposition. But still, I voted for him, even campaigned for him at the polls because he's a Democrat and I never vote for a Republican.
So what is it about Terry McCauliffe that Democratic people don't like. And what is it that some of you do like about him. I'd like to get prepared with some answers because I will be campaigning for him.
The alternative... shudder... well, you know.