Decision Virginia

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

Earlier today, Terry McAuliffe trumpeted his brand new plan to increase business, which was in large part based on building industry through the production of environmentally friendly energy production. I speculated that the McAuliffe camp was hoping to get a “two-fer” out of the plan by talking business development which would be helpful during the general election, while at the same time reaching out to environmentalists which are a core members of the Democratic party and will play an important role in the party’s primary.

One of his opponent in the primary, Brian Moran was quick to jump on the idea that McAuliffe was all about being green. His aide quickly responded to the McAuliffe plan with a statement where he criticized his position on the development of a new coal plant in Surry County and drilling offshore. Moran’s director of communications Jesse Ferguson said, among other things, that:

“You can’t say you’re for a clean environment and continue to support new coal mega-plants and offshore drilling.”

Within a matter of moments, the McAuliffe camp responded with a statement of their own, which aimed to “Respond to the Moran Attack”. In the statement McAuliffe’s senior strategist Mo Elleithee, clarified his boss’ stance on the Surry coal plant and drilling offshore. (Essentially his is unhappy with portions of the Surry proposal and he is only in favor of drilling for natural gas, not oil, and only 50 miles off the coast.)

More on what this means, plus the full statements from both sides after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »