McAuliffe tried to bribe Nader to stay off key ballots in 2004

The disclosure comes less than two weeks before voters go to the polls to determine which of three Democratic candidates will stand for governor in Virginia this year. In recent weeks, McAuliffe has been absorbing increasingly pointed criticism from his opponents, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and former delegate Brian Moran.

A life on the center stage of national politics, much of it spent as a close adviser to Clinton, has produced plenty of fodder for the two opponents, even though McAuliffe has dismissed most of the attacks as tired smears long ago discredited. Political analysts said it is impossible to know whether any of it will sway voters.

"The risk is that he's painted as someone who doesn't operate purely transparently and ethically," said Quentin Kidd, a political science professor at Christopher Newport University. "That he engages in smoke-filled backroom deals, promises made, quid pro quos, you scratch my back, I scratch yours. Voters don't want that out of their elected officials."