Democrats pitch resumes to youths

The three Democratic candidates for governor touted their legislative and business credentials plus their plans to create more jobs Saturday at the Virginia Young Democrats’ annual convention in Charlottesville.

“Even here in Virginia, things aren’t perfect,” said Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, who is from Bath County and represents a large portion of the Charlottesville area, in front of a large Democratic audience at the University of Virginia.

One by one, the candidates vying for their party’s nomination focused on issues such as job creation, alternative energy and education.

Terry McAuliffe, of McLean, emphasized that his business background has given him the know-how in creating jobs and attracting employers — something crucial at a time when some Virginia localities’ unemployment rates are nearing those present during the Depression, he said.

“This isn’t just talk for me, I’ve done this my whole life,” McAuliffe said, adding that he believes if Virginia does not attract “green” jobs, the state will be missing out on the greatest current job creation opportunity in the country. Others emphasized the same gusto in pursuing alternative energy development.

“I know we can be the driving force behind the 21st century energy revolution,” Deeds said.

McAuliffe said that as governor he would work to bring “mega jobs” to the state — employers that hire thousands of workers to spur job growth.

“I have said from the beginning that I am going to bring big, big ideas,” he said.

Former Del. Brian Moran, who represented Alexandria in the General Assembly before stepping down to campaign full-time, said the state needs bold, progressive solutions to expand the economy but also protect the environment while investing in renewable energy.

“We need to work with Main Street to make sure Virginia is the best place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

Moran opposes offshore drilling for oil. He hit a national note by defending President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package, saying it will put people back to work. He didn’t miss taking a jab at the Republican Party for opposing the president’s plan.

“Government can play a positive role in people’s lives,” he said.

“Rush Limbaugh and those Republicans want it to fail,” Moran said of the stimulus. “We can’t allow it to fail.”

The fact that all three Democratic gubernatorial candidates made an appearance at the Young Democrats’ event — and how the party is increasingly focusing on its younger members after they came out in droves last year to vote — did not escape the attention of the convention’s participants.

“I really think it shows how much they really do respect the Young Democrats,” said Sean Holihan, who was elected as the group’s new president Saturday. Four years ago, he said, his age group would not have received this level of interest.

Deeds spent a large chunk of his speech discussing higher education and how the state has not always held up its financial obligations to its institutions.

“Excellent colleges and schools in Virginia mean nothing if people can’t afford to go there,” he said. Should he be elected, Deeds said that by the end of his four-year term, everyone who is accepted into a college or university would be able to afford to attend.

“The worst reason in the world to not pursue higher education is to not be able to afford it,” Deeds said.

The Democratic gubernatorial primary is June 9.