In a Dec.5, 2012 news conference, presumed Democratic candidate for governor Terry McAuliffe stated unequivocally that he chose to locate his electric-car manufacturing facility in Mississippi because Virginia economic developers were not interested. “They decided they didn’t want to bid on it,” he said.
Nancy Madsen, writing under the Times-Dispatch Politifact banner, thoroughly demolishes that statement, chronicling emails from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership under both the Kaine and McDonnell administrations showing a continued interest in the project, though tempered by some skepticism that McAuliffe could make good on his promises.
Concludes Politifact: Contrary to McAuliffe’s claim, there is no evidence the state agency decided not to bid on the project.
McAuliffe is probably more in tune with a majority of Virginians on social issues than his presumed opponent Ken Cuccinelli. But it’s stories like this that make him look like a fast-talking, wheeler-dealer who plays fast and loose with the facts. I’d be really nervous if he got anywhere near a big-dollar economic development project.
On the flip side, the Cooch garnered favorable headlines today after stopping a tractor-trailer with two burning tires while driving down Interstate 64. According to NBC 12, Cory Chenard, Cuccinelli’s driver, “pulled the car up along side of the semi and saw the back tires of the trailer engulfed in flames. It was clear the driver was not aware of the problem. Chenard honked his horn to get the driver’s attention and Cuccinelli yelled to the driver out the window, convincing her to pull over.”
Arguably, Cuccinelli did no more than any good citizen would do. But Cuccinelli’s prompt action and the ensuing media coverage is a pollster’s dream.
— JAB
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