Yes, the shirts have the union label. McAuliffe is the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee and The Man when the subject is Democratic fund raising. Democrats sigh with happiness because he's so good at the job, having raised millions and millions. Then they reach nervously to see if their wallets are still there. Committed Democrats worry their party has lost its feel for and hold on grass-roots America.
Republicans have lists of loyal donors who give and give and give - small amounts that add up.
Democrats, swaying from one ideological side of the political spectrum to the other, don't have such impressive lists. McAuliffe was tapped by Bill Clinton to make those lists and put life back in a demoralized party. His job description is simple - to put Democrats back in control of Congress and the White House. McAuliffe as party chair notes he must be neutral as, by his count, at least 10 Democrats are deciding whether to make a serious bid for the presidency in 2004. Gore, he says, does not intend to start campaigning until September or October.