McAuliffe talking about the “party”, not DNC in critical comments

It is the kind of declaration that could make for awkward company for a current statewide candidate and one who hopes to be a statewide candidate. Terry McAuliffe, a former and potentially future, candidate for governor of Virginia, was captured on camera giving his frank and brutal assessment of the national democratic party.

Take a look at his remarks at a fundraiser for Del. Scott Surovell.  The interesting stuff hits at about 6:40 of this video:

(h/t to Blue Virginia)

McAuliffe did not hold back on the state of the party, calling it a “disgrace” with “no message”.   He went on to say that the huge losses in the 2010 election were shameful.

The comments lead a few prominent democratic bloggers to draw a connection between McAuliffe’s statements on the democratic party to the national organization responsible for managing its operation, the DNC.  A DNC that was run by Chairman Tim Kaine during the time McAuliffe is critical of.

Kaine of course, is seeking the democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

McAuliffe aide Levar Stoney told me that the blogosphere went too far.

“It doesn’t relate to Governor Kaine at all,” said Stoney. “Terry believes Kaine was aggressive in his role as Chairman, but he didn’t get any help.”

Help, Stoney said from the hundreds of democratic candidates across America who ran in 2010.  McAuliffe believes that many of them did not take the advice of Kaine to push and own the accomplishments of President Barack Obama. By going out on their own, McAuliffe contends the message became muddled.

“If we don’t have a message the Republicans will define it,” he can be heard saying on the video.

Stoney said that this stance is not anything McAuliffe is hiding from and that he has made the point numerous times since the election.  In fact he delivered almost identical remarks at the recent Loudon County Jefferson-Jackson. A dinner that was also attended by Tim Kaine.

“Draft Stoney” movement begins in 69th House District

With the retirement last week of longtime Delegate Frank Hall, a prominent district has opened in the House of Delegates and already potential candidates are lining up. Among them is Democratic Party of Virginia Executive Director Levar Stoney. Stoney is a rising star in Democratic Party circles who rose to prominence in the state party ranks at a relatively young age. He also is the first African American to hold the post of Executive Director in the DPVA. 

A pretty well organized effort is afoot to “draft” Stoney to run for Hall’s open seat in Virginia’s 69th District which includes portions of Chesterfield and Richmond. A new blog has emerged (www.draftstoney.wordpress.com) and a companion twitter account. The two tout Stoney’s leadership at DPVA and encourages voters to support Stoney as the “real democrat” in Virginia’s 69th district. 

It is very rare that websites like these aren’t in some way connected to the potential candidate. The blog itself does not provide any contact information or clue as to who is behind this “grassroots” movement. 

Of course, if Stoney officially declares himself a candidate that would raise questions about his continued role as the administrative head of the party. I have an inquiry to to DPVA as to Stoney’s position on this new movement. I have also DM’d the twitter account asking for more info. I will let you know what I hear.

**UPDATE***

Style Weekly just posted a story about the race in the 69th district that includes a lengthy list of potential candidates. In the article they say Levar Stoney confirmed that he is considering a run.