Terry's Issue-less Campaign

I can hear Walter Mondale's complaint "Where's the beef?" For those of you that don't remember, or not as old as I am, during the 1984 Democrat Presidential primary, frontrunner Walter Mondale complained that his opponent Gary Hart was running an issue less campaign. All politics and no policy. Well, policy is not Terry’s forte. His claim to fame is as a fundraiser. And with the help of the Lincoln Bedroom, and a Buddhist Temple, Terry raised hundreds of Millions of dollars for Democrats. He was such a prolific fundraiser that Bill Clinton decided to let him start carrying his golf clubs. Pretty soon Terry got to meet a lot of well-connected well-heeled investors. And Terry made a lot of money buying and selling stocks. Some before they crashed. What good timing!

However, Terry is not good when it comes to policy. Perhaps not being from the state of Virginia also makes it tougher for him to understand the needs of our state. Well, it is starting to show. His campaign has no big ideas. In effect they are running an issue less campaign. Perhaps they think all their money from Hollywood and New York will be enough, just overwhelm Cuccinelli with negative ads.

Attorney General Cuccinelli has put out 5 specific big policy ideas. McAuliffe has put out zero. Some of Ken’s ideas:
You know, policy initiatives on job creation:

"Virginia Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Ken Cuccinelli’s Economic Growth & Virginia Jobs Planis designed to unleash the spirit and ingenuity of Virginia’s innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators; empower middle class families by allowing them to keep more of the paychecks they’ve earned; and reduce government barriers that crowd out economic opportunity in the private sector."

…or workforce investment:

"In order to secure Virginia’s economic future, it will be imperative for Virginia’s next Governor and future legislatures to make significant advances in the area of workforce training and job readiness. Leaders from both parties have long agreed on the critical importance of preparing emerging and transitioning workers to make immediate contributions in the professional world. This is especially true for our veterans, including the thousands of Virginians who have recently returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

…or small businesses:

"Starting a business in Virginia is not as easy as one might think. There are a number of rules, regulations, fees and licensing requirements that govern the process. Businesses often engage in research to find out how many steps need to be taken and what the costs of licensing or other fees are required in local jurisdictions to create and operate a business. Ken Cuccinelli’s Small Business Advocate Plan would make it easier for Virginians looking to start a business to navigate that process."

…or unleashing Virginia’s energy resources:

"While newer sources of energy— such as natural gas, nuclear and renewables—are core components of the plan, the Attorney General continues to believe that coal and other more traditional resources are essential to a sound energy policy for Virginia businesses and consumers. Cuccinelli’s decision to unveil his plan in Southwest Virginia reflects his consistent belief that Virginia’s coal industry is not just a key part of Virginia’s history, but also its future."

…or protecting veterans:

"In the course of American political history, every single candidate for statewide office talks about the importance of veterans and the critical role they play in our communities. Too often, of course, when it comes to veterans’ issues—candidates and elected officials say all the right things and check all of the right boxes, but rarely do they take aggressive action…Leaders at every level of government have a solemn responsibility to look after the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country. No one disagrees with that. But I think leaders in Richmond need to be committed to our veterans for another reason that applies to our entire Commonwealth: our economic future."