Republicans Assess the Gubernatorial Fear Factor

RICHMOND

It's no secret that Virginia Republicans are hungry to win this year's governor's race, and they say they think Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell will be a formidable GOP nominee.

Given McDonnell's expected strengths, some Virginia Democrats may decide to support the Democratic candidate who they think has the best chance to defeat him. But Democratic activists are divided about whether Terry McAuliffe, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) or former delegate Brian Moran stands the best chance against McDonnell.

So, to help Democrats figure out what the opposition is thinking, Virginia Notebook spent a day asking randomly selected Virginia GOP leaders which Democratic candidate they fear most as an opponent.

Here are some of their answers. Yes, these are Republicans, so Democrats will have to decide whether the answers reflect a bit of reverse psychology.

Former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore, the GOP nominee for governor in 2005, said he worries most about McAuliffe.

"Having run several statewide races, you always fear someone with a lot of money because they can make themselves into whatever they want, and McAuliffe has a lot of money," Kilgore said. "He has lots of negatives, but money makes a difference and helps overcome negatives."

J. Kenneth Klinge, a longtime strategist from Fairfax County, said he's undecided about which Democrat he wants to avoid having to face in the fall.

"In a certain set of circumstances, I think Moran could be tougher and in another set I think McAuliffe could be," Klinge said. "If you look at the [federal] stimulus package, it's full of good ol' liberal garbage, and if that starts working or is perceived to be working, I think it helps Moran. If things are not appearing to be working that well, then I think McAuliffe takes advantage of that because he's the new face."

Klinge also said he feels sorry for Deeds.

"He's just sort of overwhelmed by these other personalities, even though he is a good citizen," Klinge said. "In many ways, he could give us hell because he's straight down the middle."

David Avella, executive director of GOPAC, which recruits Republican candidates, said he thinks McAuliffe would be McDonnell's toughest opponent.