VA-GOV

Clinton: 'Are The Polls Right? Yes, No And Maybe'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 20, 2009, 4:57PM

VA-Gov Candidate Creigh Deeds, Former President Bill Clinton, Former DNC Chair Terry MacAuliffe

Bill Clinton told Democrats at an appearance in Northern Virginia this afternoon that victory for Creigh Deeds depended on how much they're "willing to step into the breach" and overcome their nominee's lagging poll numbers. Flanked by Deeds and Terry McAuliffe, the man he fought hard for in the Democratic primary, Clinton mused on Deeds' come-come-from-behind victory in the contest.

"I learned two things in the primary The first is never underestimate this man," he said of Deeds. "The second is polls are both accurate and they're not."

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VA-GOV

McAuliffe Defends Himself, Says Deeds Can Still Win

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 16, 2009, 6:59PM

Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe (center)

In his interview with TPMDC this afternoon, Terry McAuliffe pushed back on the national media's coverage of him in recent weeks, and media reports that Creigh Deeds is limping toward the finish line in the Virginia Governor's race.

In recent days, several articles have suggested McAuliffe and his supporters have strong opinions about how Deeds has run the race against Bob McDonnell (R). But McAuliffe rejected the idea that it was time to count Deeds out.

"I think a lot of journalists are going to look foolish when Creigh Deeds wins this election," he said.

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Terry McAuliffe

McAuliffe On Public Option's Chances: 'Probably Not, No'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 16, 2009, 4:43PM

Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe

In an exclusive interview with TPMDC this afternoon, former DNC chair Terry McAuliffe said that from his vantage point, the public option is likely dead in the health care debate.

In the past, McAuliffe has said he any bill without a public option would be a failure. Today, though, he said he'd support a compromise bill because "we've got to pass something."

McAuliffe spoke with TPMDC before he heads out on the campaign trail next week for fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds, who defeated McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial primary. McAuliffe touched on a number of subjects, including the Virginia race (more on that in a later post.)

Asked about the chances for a public option now that health care reform bills have reached the floor in both houses of Congress, McAuliffe -- an ardent supporter of expanding government-run care as part of health care reform -- said he he wouldn't bet on one being part of a final bill.

"Probably not, no," he said. "I wish we could have a public option, but I'm also a realist."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 3:23PM

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod.

• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

• CNN, State Of The Union: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA).

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), former Bush White House adviser Karl Rove, former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe.

• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), California First Lady Maria Shriver, Center for American Progress president John Podesta.

VA-GOV

Deeds/McAuliffe/Clinton Rally Coming Next Week

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 16, 2009, 12:16PM

VA-Gov Candidate Creigh Deeds, Former President Bill Clinton, Former DNC Chair Terry MacAuliffe

This morning, we reported Terry McAuliffe would be returning to the campaign trail in Virginia to stump for Creigh Deeds starting Sunday. Now TPMDC has learned McAuliffe will be bringing one of his friends with him. A Deeds spokesperson told us McAuliffe and Deeds will appear with Bill Clinton at a Northern Virginia event on Tuesday.

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VA-GOV

McAuliffe Back On The Scene In Virginia

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 16, 2009, 10:05AM

Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe is returning to the campaign trail in the Virginia gubernatorial race this weekend. The former DNC chair has kept a low-profile in the race since June 30, when Creigh Deeds defeated him and Brian Moran in the three-way Democratic primary.

But now, with less than 20 days to go in a race that looks more and more like McDonnell's to lose, McAuliffe is back. A campaign spokesperson tells TPMDC that McAuliffe will kick off a canvassing drive in his adopted hometown of McLean. Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey will join him at the event.

We'll post more details as they come in.