The release of the book Tuesday came in the midst of yet another national debate about race — the president's tweets that four Democratic minority members of Congress should "go back" from the "crime infested places from which they came" followed by his attacks on Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., and Baltimore.

"It was Charlottesville when Donald Trump came out as a full-fledged racist — and I don't say that lightly," said McAuliffe. "This is a pattern he has. He's divided the country. We need someone who can bring the country back together again."

As he wound up his remarks, McAuliffe noted that the proceeds of the book were going to the Heather Heyer Foundation and the Virginia State Police Association and opened the room for questions. There was a rush to the microphones, and then things took a turn.

The first question — then the second, third and fourth — were all from women who identified themselves as survivors of the Charlottesville rally. Two of them said they had been physically injured, while the other two said they were traumatized by the events of the day. They were unhappy with McAuliffe's support of the city and state police, and his pledge to donate part of the book profits to the state police association. McAuliffe agreed with their request to meet with them and donate a portion to a fund to pay survivor medical expenses.