Terry McAuliffe 2020? Name one Democrat who can stop him

With a recent poll finding that 45 percent of Democrats long for a new national leader, could Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe be the man to watch? Even McAuliffe himself is dropping hints. Is that laughter I hear from Republicans saying, "Yes, yes, bring him on"? But I also hear echoes of Democrats laughing at the prospects of running against Donald Trump in 2016 and Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Here are six reasons why the GOP should not laugh at Terry McAuliffe's presidential rumblings.

1. Terry McAuliffe is ambitious, wealthy and power-hungry with nothing to lose

By law, Virginia governors can only serve one four-year term. Thus, on January 13, 2018, Governor McAuliffe will become a former governor after only four years of elective experience. But do years in office even matter anymore? Besides, McAuliffe's strength is his political credentials that far exceed other potential 2020 Democratic candidates. Furthermore, in party leadership circles McAuliffe is a living legend.

For starters, McAuliffe currently serves as chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA). McAuliffe's best friend, President Bill Clinton, was NGA chairman during the 1986-87 term.

In 2008 McAuliffe was chairman of Hillary Clinton's failed presidential campaign.