McAuliffe won't return as DNC boss "One four-year term is enough"

The Post Standard ^ | 26 Feb 2004 | John Mariani

[RogerWilko]

Terry McAuliffe, who rose from Syracuse politics to lead the Democratic National Committee, will quit the chairmanship when his term expires next year.

"I'm going to leave here in February of '05, finish my term, and the legacy that I will get to leave this party is this is a party that is in the best technological and financial shape in the history of our party," McAuliffe said Wednesday.

"One four-year term is enough," McAuliffe added. "I've served my party. It's been spectacular. But . . . I'm gone. I have five little children and you know what? I miss ballgames."

Most Democratic chairs serve only one term. Exceptions include James A. Farley, 1932 to 1940, and John M. Bailey, 1961 to 1968.

Observers credit McAuliffe with rebuilding the national party by paying off its debts, building new headquarters, introducing high-tech campaigning and rearranging the primary schedule.

McAuliffe, 47, learned politics at the side of his father, Jack, a former treasurer of the Onondaga County Democratic Party. By 2000, Terry McAuliffe had raised an estimated $300 million for the Democrats and become Bill Clinton's best friend and fund-raiser.

Backed by Clinton, McAuliffe became the party's national chairman in 2001.

McAuliffe said he is leaving his options open for the future.

"When we win the White House, who knows what opportunities would be available?" McAuliffe said. "We'll wait and see."

[RogerWilko]

I found this and thought it might be good for a laugh or two... Especially these two items:

1. "the legacy that I will get to leave this party is this is a party that is in the best technological and financial shape in the history of our party"

2. "When we win the White House"

It's really too bad he wants to quit... The DemoRats need a lot more people like him!

[Piquaboy]

He will be missed like a dose of clap.

[VRWC_minion]

Here is one freeper who will miss him

[dirtboy]

Terry McAuliffe, who rose from Syracuse politics to lead the Democratic National Committee, will quit the chairmanship when his term expires next year.

Too bad - he's done yeoman's work for the Republican Party. Another term with McAuliffe at the helm and the Dems might have polled less than the Libertarians...

[mewzilla]

Quit? Yeah, right. Like McAuliffe's word is worth anything.

[EllaMinnow]

I have five little children...

They BREED?!?

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[JennysCool]

Sounds like Terry at long last got the memo. We will certainly miss this classic bumbler. Sigh.

[Jerry Attrick]

Bad news for us, good news for the Dems

[capydick]

How about this one:

"I have five little children and you know what? I miss ballgames."

I'm sure he is as good a father figure as his mentor Bill Xlinton was.

[LongsforReagan]

Me too. They can only get better. The Clintons influence will be gone with the next pick.

[skinkinthegrass]

It's really too bad he wants to quit... The DemoRats need a lot more people like him!

...I, too...Mourn the loss, of this guy... (for the GOP, the best 'Rat/DNC Chairman, the GOP ever faced.)

[cripplecreek]

Sounds to me like he's leaving a sinking ship while pretending the ship is still seaworthy.

[GraniteStateConservative]

This isn't really breaking news. It's been known for a while.

Here's an FR post on it:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1037933/posts

[anniegetyourgun]

Is this because Bubba wants the job?

[reformed_democrat]

We should throw him a going away party. Something with a "Thanks for the Memories" theme, like:

Thanks for not going that extra mile and stealing Florida, like you did Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Thanks for a really great 2002 election season.
Thanks for keeping Bill'n'Hill in the forefront, and reminding Americans what they stand for.
Thanks for running Carol Already-Gone against Al Sharpton. It sure made the race more interesting.

< sniffle > I'm going to miss that little bugger.

[keysguy]

Priceless.The problem is where will bubba send him?

[tdadams]

To me, this announcement seems to be appeasement to all the Democrats who have been calling for his head on a platter. Knowing he'll be gone in a year, they'll bide their time and just wait it out.

[RoseofTexas]

Hmmmm...I wonder...McAWEFUL replacement will probably be BUBBA!