DNC to Give $5 Million to Kaine's Bid For Governor

[Freddie Stubbs]

Amount Is Most Pledged By Party for Such a Race

By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 11, 2005; Page B01

RICHMOND, Jan. 10 -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Terrence R. McAuliffe plans to announce Tuesday that the party intends to invest $5 million in Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's bid to become Virginia governor, Democratic sources said.

State party officials said the contribution will represent the largest amount the DNC has ever given to a Virginia candidate for governor. Four years ago, the national Democrats gave then-candidate Mark R. Warner and the state party $1.27 million. The DNC did not give any money to the party's 1997 candidate for Virginia governor, Donald S. Beyer.

Kaine campaign officials declined to confirm the amount of the DNC commitment for this year's campaign. But the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns about preempting the official announcement, said the party will contribute $5 million overall to Kaine's campaign. He probably will be opposed by Republican Jerry W. Kilgore, the state's attorney general.

"It's clearly a statement that the DNC thinks the race is winnable," said Kerry J. Donley, chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party. Donley declined to confirm the amount of the contribution but said, "My understanding is that it's more money than the DNC has ever given."

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64226-2005Jan10.html

[WI_DEM]

1. obviously we need to comeback this year in the Va and NJ

Governors races. I think we hold NJ. It is Va where the real fight will be. But I could be wrong.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. VA will be an uphill battle but it is winnable

NYC Mayor is also looking very good.

[David__77]

3. I remember Kaine being ripped for supporting civil unions...

...the right was saying "Virginia values, not Vermont values."

[WMliberal]

4. damn right it's winnable. We'll need the money though.

Kilgore et al have already proven they won't little things like the law get in the way of their attempts to lie, cheat, and steal their way to the Governor's office.
This one's gonna get ugly with a quickness. I hope Kaine is ready for the smear machine.

[underpants]

5. Reminds me I need to get my ass in gear and get to his HQ

Go KAINE!!!!!!!!

[Stevepol]

6. If VA has too many voting machines, there's no way this is winnable.

In the 04 general election I thought I saw somewhere that VA counted its votes by computer. If they did, then how in God's name can a Dem hope to win? The money the DNC is giving for this race would be far better spent funding active work to achieve democratic elections. If that is the only way to do it, bribe some Dems so they'll support electoral reform and speak out on the issue. DEMAND A VOTER-VERIFIED PAPER BALLOT AND AUDITS FOR EVERY ELECTION.