Veteran Democratic Strategist Abandons McAuliffe Support

Veteran Democratic Political Strategist Dave “Mudcat” Saunders Has Refused To Back Terry McAuliffe For Governor And Is Supporting Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. “David ‘Mudcat’ Saunders, a veteran Democratic Party strategist, said Monday that he is backing Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II ® in the Virginia governor’s race over Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe because of economic justice issues.” (Fredrick Kunkle, “Veteran Democratic Strategist Says He’s Pulling For Cuccinelli In Virginia Governor’s Race,” The Washington Post, 9/9/13)

SAUNDERS: TERRY MCAULIFFE’S ETHICS AND TIES TO BIG BUSINESS ARE CONCERNING

Saunders, On His Opposition To Terry McAuliffe: “I’m A Democrat, And Not A Corporatist. I Don’t Support Corporatist Candidates.” “’I’m a friend of Ken Cuccinelli’s and I hope he wins,’ Saunders said. ‘I’m a Democrat, and not a corporatist. I don’t support corporatist candidates.’” (Fredrick Kunkle, “Veteran Democratic Strategist Says He’s Pulling For Cuccinelli In Virginia Governor’s Race,” The Washington Post, 9/9/13)

Saunders Also Criticized McAuliffe’s Ethics. “Saunders, who often referred to Cuccinelli by his nickname, ‘Cooch,’ also said he believes Cuccinelli’s ethical record is stronger than McAuliffe’s.  ‘Because I’m not blind, and I see a guy who’s got rich because of his political contacts, and I think that’s wrong,’ Saunders said.” (Fredrick Kunkle, “Veteran Democratic Strategist Says He’s Pulling For Cuccinelli In Virginia Governor’s Race,” The Washington Post, 9/9/13)

  • Saunders: “Because I’m Not Blind, And I See A Guy Who’s Got Rich Because Of His Political Contacts, And I Think That’s Wrong.” (Fredrick Kunkle, “Veteran Democratic Strategist Says He’s Pulling For Cuccinelli In Virginia Governor’s Race,” The Washington Post, 9/9/13)

Saunders Knows Terry McAuliffe’s Character – He Used To Praise McAuliffe Before He Became Enveloped In Scandal

In 2009, Saunders Defended McAuliffe Against Attacks During His Democrat Primary Campaign. “Regarding Brian Moran’s “fighter not a fundraiser” speech at the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner on February 7, Mudcat commented:  ‘I’ve been to JJ [Jefferson-Jackson] dinners all over the country, and I’ve never seen a Democrat hit another Democrat at one of them. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen another Democrat body slam another Democrat at a Democratic unity dinner. I understand that Terry McAuliffe is like a moving train and you’ve got to slow down the train, but that was not the right political venue for Brian Moran to try to slow him down.’” (“Exclusive Interview: Mudcat Saunders On The Virginia Governor’s Race,” Blue Virginia Blog, 3/25/09)

At The Time, Saunders Praised McAuliffe As A “Positive Guy” With A “Positive Lifestyle.” “Mudcat had some interesting quotes about Terry McAuliffe, including:  ‘Terry is a positive guy, and positive begets positive…no matter if its baseball or politics.’  ‘I’m not sure I’ve ever met anybody more positive thinking than Terry McAuliffe. That’s not just a positive attitude but a positive lifestyle as well.’” (“Exclusive Interview: Mudcat Saunders On The Virginia Governor’s Race,” Blue Virginia Blog, 3/25/09)

  • Saunders: “Right Now, The Whole Country – Not Just Virginia – Needs A Positive Attitude.” (“Exclusive Interview: Mudcat Saunders On The Virginia Governor’s Race,” Blue Virginia Blog, 3/25/09)