Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe (Va.) decried the timing of former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile revealing how Hillary Clinton used the DNC to tilt the 2016 presidential primary.
McAuliffe appeared on MSNBC's "Meet the Press Daily" Friday to promote Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and his own work as governor of Virginia. But at the end of the interview, host Chuck Todd pivoted toward controversy at the DNC, which Brazile brought to light in an article Thursday.
"You're a former DNC chair, I got to ask you—and you're obviously very close friends to the Clintons. I know where you stand from the primary," Todd said.
"The allegation Donna Brazile made that the DNC was basically in the tank in some form or another—and we can discuss how much—for Hillary Clinton throughout the primary season: fair charge?" Todd asked.
McAullife avoided addressing the allegation, but he emphasized that Brazile chose to come forward at a time when Democrats have a "big election" to retain the Virginia governorship.
"I don't know the specifics of the actual agreement," McAuliffe said. "It's regrettable that Donna (Brazile) thought this was the time that she should come out with this complaint. I mean, God love the Democratic Party. But we need—"
"This pretty bad timing for Tuesday?" Todd asked.
"Very bad timing. And you know, just regrettable," McAuliffe said. "I wish all of these folks who are talking about this would focus—we have a big election on Tuesday."
McAuliffe said people talking about rifts within the party should focus on the election Tuesday, and he pointed out that Northam's primary opponent, Tom Perriello, is campaigning hard for Northam.
"This will be a repudiation of Trump," McAuliffe added. "This will be a continuation of great progressive policies."
"The Democrats, they love to have this circular firing squad," McAuliffe said. "Let's focus on winning elections and helping people."