Terry McAuliffe on Civil Rights Democratic nominee for Governor; previously DNC Chair

Vetoed multiple bills shielding discriminating groups

As Virginia's 72nd Governor, Terry worked tirelessly to build an inclusive Commonwealth that is open and welcoming to all. On his first day in office, Terry signed Executive Order 1, which prohibited discrimination against any LGBT state employee. He was also the first southern Governor in the nation to officiate a gay wedding.

Tackle inequities by lifting up every Black Virginian

Don't pretend anti-gay discrimination is 'religious freedom'

Excerpts from Veto Message: Although couched as a "religious freedom" bill, this legislation is nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize. Any legitimate protections afforded by SB41 are duplicative of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution. Any additional protections are styled in a manner that prefers one religious viewpoint--that marriage can only validly exist between a man and a woman--over all other viewpoints. It equates to discrimination under the guise of religious freedom.

Legislative Outcome:: passed Senate, 20-19-1, Feb. 12; passed House, 59-38-3, March 9; vetoed by Gov. McAuliffe, March 30

Veto requiring photo ID for absentee ballots

Analysis by Virginia ACLU: Low-income Virginians, rural voters, racial and ethnic minorities, students, and the elderly may have been disenfranchised because they lack a valid, photo ID or have no access to a copier or scanner.

Veto message: This bill imposes barriers on an eligible voter's ability to obtain & cast an absentee ballot. The requirement would not in any way deter fraudulent voting since it provides no means of verifying the identity of the individual depicted in the submitted photograph.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/9/15; Passed Senate 20-17-3 on Feb/20/15; Vetoed by Gov. McAuliffe on Mar/27/15; House Veto Sustained 65-34-0 (needed 66) on Apr/15/15

Supports marriage equality for gays

Cuccinelli said his views on homosexuality or gay marriage had not changed, but he was ready for the attack. "The notion that because I believe marriage ought to be protected, because I believe life begins at conception ... there are lots of Virginians who share my sincerely held beliefs."

When women vote, Democrats win

Contrast that with the Bush administration approach, which was to make a few symbolic gestures to try to slow Bush's slide among women voters.

Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all.

Strengthen America’s Common Civic Culture
The more ethnically and culturally diverse America becomes, the harder we must all work to affirm our common civic culture -- the values and democratic institutions we share and that define our national identity as Americans. This means we should resist an “identity politics” that confers rights and entitlements on groups and instead affirm our common rights and responsibilities as citizens. Multiethnic democracy requires fighting discrimination against marginalized groups; empowering the disadvantaged to join the economic, political, and cultural mainstream; and respecting diversity while insisting that what we have in common as Americans is more important than how we differ. One way to encourage an ethic of citizenship and mutual obligation is to promote voluntary national service. If expanded to become available to everyone who wants to participate, national service can help turn the strong impulse toward volunteerism among our young people into a major resource in addressing our social problems. It will also help revive a sense of patriotism and national unity at a time when military service is no longer the common experience of young Americans.

Goals for 2010
• Reduce discrimination based on race, gender, national background, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Shift the emphasis of affirmative action strategies from group preferences to economic empowerment of all disadvantaged citizens.
• Expand the AmeriCorps national service program so that everyone willing to serve can serve -- with 1 million participants enrolled by the end of the decade.
• Promote character education in all public schools.