There are a lot of “ifs” that have to fall in place first, but whispering has already begun about a potential presidential or vice presidential bid by surging Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

Political analysts who in the past have added the names of four of the last five Virginia governors to lists of potential presidential candidates said the former Democratic Party chairman who has never been elected to any office would be automatically be considered for the Democratic 2016 list if he beats Virginia Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli in three weeks.