Deeds, Moran Hammer McAuliffe in Final Debate

With time running out and Terry McAuliffe running ahead, the two other challengers for the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds, took an aggressive hand to McAuliffe in today's final debate before the June 9 primary.

One should not expect these attacks to abate anytime soon. Can Terry McAuliffe's platform of "I am rich and know Bill Clinton" parry the threat from these two rivals who have actually been involved in Virginia politics before?

A quick scan of the debate live blogs at the Washington Post show the attacks on McAuliffe to be persistent and so mean. A few choice bits:

-- "2:25 p.m.: Moran takes it to McAuliffe: How can you say you support civil unions but then say you don't have time to repeal the amendment? McAuliffe says this is not what Virginians ask him about every day."

-- "2:27 p.m.: Deeds is taking to McAuliffe's frequent claim that he takes no money from Dominion. That doesn't stop McAuliffe from having a fundraiser at a Dominion's executive's home. That one gets the audience making some noise."

-- "2:45 p.m.: Harshest line of the debate: Moran to McAuliffe--'I don't have time to teach you the legislative process and Virginians don't have time for you to learn.' ...Line draws groans from the crowds."

-- "2:48 p.m.: Deeds puts on his glasses to question McAuliffe. Can you afford all the promises you've made--you've promised teacher's car loans, student loans, home loans."

-- "2:50 p.m.: McAuliffe says other states do these things. A good line from McAuliffe: You shoot for the moon. John Kennedy didn't say we're taking the rocket halfway to the moon."

Yes, a "good line" from Terry McAuliffe there, in that it means absolutely nothing and doesn't answer the question.

The man knows Bill Clinton, people! BILL CLINTON!

Jim Newell writes for Wonkette and IvyGate.