Poll: McAuliffe Could Win VA Primary -- But Lose Election

New -- and perhaps the first -- polling numbers are out for the 2009 gubernatorial race in Virginia, made more famous by the inclusion of Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic field.

With the election 11 months away, the former DNC chair seems decently positioned to secure his party's nomination, certainly for a candidate associated with high-society Washington D.C. than downstate Virginia values.

Among Democrats, McAuliffe is viewed favorably by 20% of voters, while 52% have a favorable view of his candidacy. Another candidate in the primary race, Rep. R. Creigh Deeds, is most popular -- "with 55% viewing him favorably, including 23% who are very favorable." Rep. Brian J. Moran, is faring slightly worse than McAuliffe, with 48% of Democrats viewing him favorably and 15% regarding him very favorably.

Moran is the only one of three Democratic hopefuls who beats the Republican favorite, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, in a hypothetical straight match-up. And in this count -- which has some bearing but is not as important in the context of the Democratic primary -- McAuliffe is faring worst among the three lead candidates.

What do the results (taken from a pool of 500 voters tell us)? With the primary to be held in June, they suggest that McAuliffe, who lives in northern Virginia, may not be fatally handicapped by the "outsider" taint his opponents are hoping to cast upon him.

"Terry McAuliffe doesn't fit Virginia's New Democratic tradition," Moran spokesman Jesse Ferguson, told Politico a few weeks ago. "Virginians will wonder if he's running for the right reasons."

While opinions are bound to change over the course of the next six months, that could work well to McAuliffe's advantage. A prodigious fundraiser with tons of big money connections, he is bound to have the cash to blanket Virginia's airwaves.

Comments

[Haditup2here]

After his performance and feigning of delusion during the primaries, why would people in Virginia want him to represent the Democratic Party as a candidate for governor? He's an embarrassment.

[Lahonda]

Why do I not find this surprising? TM fooked the mental pooch, casting about, looking for a quick political opportunity. No plan, no direction. What a wingnut... stay away from the poker tables Terry! Your tells are obvious!

[huffyISaHottie]

bahgdad terry....what a f'n loser

[schicklett3]

He is the worst of the worst, and he will not win VA.
VA deserves better that Terry McAuliffe....he is despicable.

[j0em0mma]

this guy is worthless. Beware VA Dems!

[Mdazes]

No surprise, I watch this guy on Morning Joe during the primary and his style is a complete turn off, plenty of hot air.

[stubbhead]

I am glad to see he is dead last. To me, he seemed intellectually dishonest and cynical when making arguments for his candidate.

[stubbhead]

Good. He really disturbed me during when interviewed during the primaries. I understand the need to back your candidate at all costs when you are in the position he was in.

However, the intellectual dishonesty and cynicism he displayed in supporting his candidate made me think words like "liar," "sell out," "snake oil salesman," "dirtbag," "bottom feeder," "hack," etc.

[shel3364]

Sounds to me like he needs that Super-Strategist Mark Penn. I hear he's available these days. Cheap.

[serindipity803]

A poll of 500 predicts VA's future?

[nclayla]

Well, that would be one way to ensure his eventual loss.

[RealPlumber]

Mark Penn the one who called Obama "unelectable". Gotta love it.

[edwarvir]

So did Billary. They are all a bunch
of losers and don't think about asking
President Obama to campaign for you
Terry.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

All is not lost. He may still be able to get a Cabinet appointment.

[AndThenOneDay]

Not even. It's one thing to select Senator Clinton for the cabinet. Her Rasputin gets to wait in the hall and watch.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Well, let's just see how this plays out.

All McAuliffe has to do is show that he is not the best Democratic candidate, that he is in favor of AIPAC positions, and that he opposes the "left wing" (whatever that is)

[Lahonda]

Hillary gets the carrot, Terry gets the stick. He deserves nothing more.

[victoriajubilee]

I honestly would like to see someone else other than McAuliffe. There are a lot of Democrats to choose from ,I am afraid Mac comes off as too abrasive and not serious such as the time he came on a morning show shortly after the Hillary primary with an Hawaiian shirt and a big bottle of rum.

[nclayla]

I agree - ANYONE else would be a far more compelling candidate.

[pmolloy4]

As I wrote earlier about Mssr. McAuliffe:

What good is a prodigious fundraiser if he's a professional election loser? I realize he's popular among some camps within the party (for reasons that continue to elude me), but if Mr. "Fly-over State", all-talk-and-no-victories McAuliffe wants to ensure that a Democrat wins the gubernatorial race in Virginia, he should run as a Republican.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

well the goofy behavior and jokes about his excessive drinking and partying don't seem to have served him well

[joshuahmcdonald]

Terry needs to slither under a rock somewhere and stay out of the light...DO NOT WANT!

[AlwaysFairDem]

As a Virginian and a strong Democrat, I can't put an era of poison back into power. NO WAY and NO HOW will I vote for this sneak.