If you don’t think this is just about the money, and that there is any conviction behind it, think again. As the WaPo reports, Marcus says that he thinks that “Terry is the clear choice for mainstream conservatives.” Right. McAuliffe–best friend of the Clintons, supporter of bigger government, abortion on demand, government monopolization of education, subsidies for wealthy crony capitalists like himself, and obeisance to the central government–is the best choice for “mainstream conservatives.”
What this is really about (and Shaun Kenney hits it on his first update) is coin. Marcus for the first time in memory couldn’t land a statewide Republican candidate to steer toward using his direct mail operation (Marcus with direct mail is like a carpenter with only a hammer, whose every problem looks like a nail). So, he went to the guy who could pay him big bucks and offered to love him long time.
In the end, Jim Riley’s wit nails it: “Boyd Marcus Endorses McAuliffe, Threatens To Advise Him.” Given his recent track record, the best thing Marcus can do for Cuccnelli now is to do to McAuliffe what he’s done for others: bleed him dry and give him bad advice.
UPDATE: Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins issues a statement on Boyd Marcus’ employment in the Obama economy:
RPV Chairman Pat Mullins issued the following statement regarding Terry McAuliffe’s decision to hire Boyd Marcus:
“By taking a paid position with Terry McAuliffe, Boyd Marcus has decided to align himself with a the man who sold the Lincoln Bedroom for campaign donations. He’s being paid by a candidate who has said he never wants to see another coal plant built; a candidate whose sole case for being governor is his “business experience” – whose partners now saythey regret going into business with him.
Consultants aren’t immune to the economic downturns, and in the Obama economy people often have to take whatever jobs they can find. No amount of money can buy Terry McAuliffe the consultants he needs to hide the fact that both the Department of Homeland Security and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating his company.”