Before Howard Dean took over as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe held that post. Terry McAuliffe was the chief fund-raiser for Bill Clinton during the 1990s, and then he took charge of Hillary Clinton's campaign for president last spring.

Terry McAuliffe was so into the Clinton's support, that he provided the financing for Hillary Clinton to buy a house in New York so that she could run for the United States senate in 2000. The Clintons were denied financing for the house, and Terry McAuliffe was on the golf course with Bill Clinton when he agreed to take care of the mortgage. Check out Terry McAuliffe's book, "What a Party!"

Terry McAuliffe was a loyal fund-raiser for all of those years. He showed the Clintons how to advance in major fund-raising. The donations were made to the Democratic National Committee, not personally to Bill and Hillary Clinton. Therefore, these were legal contributions, and the Clintons could use these millions of dollars for their campaigns.

There are term limits for the governor of Virginia, and so Tim Kaine cannot run for re-election. This is what will allow Terry McAuliffe to be a candidate. Terry McAuliffe also has been a big fund-raiser for United States Senator Mark Warner, who does not face term limits. The movement for term limits does not apply to federal legislators.

There will be a battle among Democrats in Virginia for the nomination. McAuliffe's opponents for the Demorcratic nomination are Criegh Deeds, a state representative, and Brian Moran, who is the Virginia state House Democratic Caucus Chairman. Once a Democrat is nominated, the Republican foe will will be Bob McConnell, the Virginia attorney general.

McAuliffe said, "I think I can make a difference. I think I can go out and fight for people. I think I can create jobs. I think I can take this state in a new direction, and the thing I'd like to do, too, is to come out with some big, bold ideas. I think that's what this state has to hear."

Terry McAuliffe sure knows how to raise money. Just ask Bill or Hillary Clinton. Just read, "What a Party!"

SOURCES

http://www.mlive.com/us-politics/index.ssf/2008/11/mcauliffe_the_next_virginia_go.html