Armstrong Hosts McAuliffe for Sleepover

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe will be spending the night tonight at the spacious Martinsville home of House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry), who is a close ally of McAuliffe's rival for the nomination, Brian J. Moran.

During the sleepover, McAuliffe and Armstrong are expected to discuss McAuliffe's plans to help Democrats pick up the six seats needed to regain control of the House of Delegates.

But Armstrong stresses the meeting shouldn't be viewed as an indication he is having second thoughts about Moran's candidacy. Armstrong said any statewide Democratic candidate is welcome to stay at his house when they travel to southern Virginia.

"He said, he is coming to Martinsville and asked me where is a good place to stay?" Armstrong said. "I said, 'my house to save money, you will have fun'."

The late night drinking, however, may be tempered because Armstrong is battling a cold. Still, McAuliffe and Armstrong hold the potential to be a rambuncous combination.

"I've told him, I'm still not endorsing you," Armstrong said of McAuliffe. "But I will not say anything bad about you."

But McAuliffe is also sending a clear signal he's not deterred in reaching out to some of Moran's biggest supporters. Moran, a former delegate, played a crucial role in Armstrong's success last year in unseating Del. Franklin Hall (D-Richmond) as minority leader.

By Tim Craig |  January 8, 2009; 11:35 AM ET  | Category:  Governor's Race , Tim Craig
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