 Brian Moran launched a radio ad on prodominately African American radio stations which makes the argument that Terry McAuliffe should not be the Democratic nominee for the next Governor of Virginia because he worked against President Barack Obama's election during the 2008 Democratic Primary, while serving as Chair of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the nomination.
I'm disturbed by this ad on many levels. While I know why the campaign would target African Americans, just as this did with an ad featuring the testimonial from former Delegate Mary Christian of Hampton, and that running this ad directly counters McAuliffe's ad taking credit for the election of Obama, this sort of identity politics, or "race baiting" as Ben Tribbett would say, bothers me. This is the sort of politics that Howard Dean, on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration, said was over.
The Moran campaign is playing catch-up with African American voters who are currently favoring McAuliffe in the polls. From the onset of his campaign, McAuliffe has targeted this demographic; perhaps hoping that the energy of 2008 will carry over to 2009. Every candidate in this race, including the Republican nominee, is trying to bank on Obama's popularity, directly or indirectly. |
| With impressive speed, the McAuliffe campaign has released a response ad arguing that Brian Moran is using the same sort of tactics used by Republicans against Obama.
...I agree.
I've given the Moran campaign a lot of leeway, arguing that much of what they've put out there about McAuliffe was necessary in light of the force of nature the McAuliffe campaign has been. While I do not think that Terry McAuliffe should be the next Governor of Virginia, I am extremely disappointed with Brian Moran's campaign. Spreading half-truths and rumors in a desperate attempt at shifting opinion about your opponent is not the way campaigns will be won this year. For a campaign to truly use Barack Obama's influence, they have to campaign using his example. People are looking for candidates with a cool head, thoughtful proposals, and a campaign that is constantly moving forward, giving little regard to the proddings of the opposition.
Unfortunately, it seems that Moran has lost his cool with regard to McAuliffe's being in the primary race, and it seems to have fueled a strategy of attacks, derailing the kind of candidate and campaign I was introduced to in December. Ever since the JJ Dinner in Richmond, I've been concerned with Moran's targetting of McAuliffe and the tone of his campaign, however; I have been reminded at times of why I started supporting Moran in the first place.
It's got to stop. The Moran campaign needs to refocus their resources on getting their message out, which has been totally lost in their targeting of McAuliffe. There aren't any gains to be made in this way. We all know that Brian Moran has a strong foundation of support in Nothern Virginia. The gains that need to be made outside that region aren't going to come from calling McAuliffe bad. The campaign has got to stop focusing on McAuliffe and focus on the voters, and why Brian Moran should be the Governor of Virginia. In reality, it's about the voters, stupid.
It's time to cut the crap, and get back to Brian Moran being the best candidate to continue the Democratic tradition here in Virginia. I just hope that the damage done to Moran's reputation isn't too great to keep him being able to win in June, in November, and to govern effectively.
X-Posted from Virginia Beach Progressives
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