Burnout - is it McAuliffe's fault?

Chris Graham at Augustafreepress.com notes the trouble he's had getting information from the top three candidates for the coming election. And the level of enthusiasm being lower than recent election cycles. BlueVirginia and Vivian Paige pick up the column with what they are seeing, so it's not just a Valley issue.
So, why do Democrats seem burned out? Could it be Terry McAuliffe's fault?
We just finished a primary campaign that began almost as soon as President-elect Obama left the winning rally in Chicago. McAuliffe planned to embrace the enthusiasm of the Obama campaign to bring new voters into the Virginia primary, and thus become the next governor.
There seemed to be enthusiasm for McAuliffe, or at least his fundraising potential. He'd draw in money and help Democrats win the House of Delegates back in November.
But he lost.
The wave of enthusiasm he hoped to carry him to the nomination dissipated before June 9. Instead of a focused two-man run between Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran, McAuliffe's joining the fray increased costs, divided established alliances and left the dangling question - how in the world did Mr. Moneybags lose the primary, anyway.
In my election prediction - McDonnell wins 52-48 - I give him two extra percentage points for not having to battle for the nomination. Maybe that's low.
Maybe Democrats don't realize how lucky they were to have Barack Obama as a candidate. He pumped up the expectations, and now Democratic enthusiasm is settling at it's normal state.
It's vacation season, so let's finish by thinking about the beach. Sometimes when you ride a wave, you end up with a faceful of sand when you're done.
UPDATE: Linked by Washington Post's Race to Richmond page.