McAuliffe Turning VA Governor’s Mansion Into Giant, Privately-Funded Speakeasy

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe thinks he’s cracked the code of bipartisanship: expensive booze, and lots of it.

Via the Washington Post:

Desperately in need of Republican friends to get his agenda through a divided General Assembly, McAuliffe (D) has restocked the executive mansion bar and thrown open the doors for nightly receptions. In at least one case, he sniffed out just which craft beer a GOP bigwig likes and made sure to have it on hand.

“Sixty parties in 60 days!” McAuliffe has declared, referring to the length of the assembly session.

Quite. Howevs, McAuliffe has made sure that the pricey spirits have been purchased out of his own vast stockpile of wealth (artist’s approximation) — an important point given his predecessor Bob McDonnell’s burgeoning scandal over improper gifts and excessive shopping sprees. In other words, McAuliffe has the booze, but he also has the receipts.

Thus far, it’s not clear whether the parties (and breakfasts for the non-imbibers) have had any effect of his legislative effectiveness, though enhanced self-confidence usually kicks in after the third round or so.

[h/t Washington Post]

[Image via Lisa Provence]

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