WASHINGTON POST: McAuliffe’s Background Could Prove A Liability: Va. Foes Capitalize On History of Mixing Politics and Business. “McAuliffe’s business pedigree is not so simple. He is a dealmaker who made millions from investments. And many of his biggest deals came in partnership with prominent donors and politicians, creating a portrait over the years of a Washington insider who got rich as he rose to power within the Democratic Party. ” There seem to be a lot of those about, lately. Hope and change!