While much attention is being, rightly, focused on who the Democratic candidate for governor will be, let’s not lose sight of what the goal is: beating Bob McDonnell in November. The Virginian-Pilot has a story today regarding the ties of his campaign manager, Phil Cox. I had heard about this story in connection with RPV chair Pat Mullins as it has been discussed on the Republican blogs. None of them mentioned, however, the involvement of Cox.
In his campaign for governor, McDonnell is positioning himself as a moderate Republican.
“One of the underlying concerns that many thoughtful Virginians have about McDonnell are his ties to the Christian right,” Sabato said. “I can’t tell you how many times senior people have asked, ‘Who will Bob McDonnell appoint to the 4,000 appointments he gets?’ ‘Who will run the college boards of visitors and the state agencies?’
“The reasons these questions matter to the people asking them is they fear it will be the far right and the Christian conservatives,” he said.
“I can guarantee you whoever the Democratic nominee is, that’s going to be one of his major lines of attack: McDonnell is tied to the far Christian right and he will disproportionately make his appointments from that group. And that’s not where Virginia is anymore. That will send the key independent and swing voters to the Democrats.”
Democrats thought I was nuts when I hosted then AG McDonnell for a live blog a couple of years ago. Nope – just wanted to get him on the record so that he wouldn’t be able to later claim that “moderate” label that – surprise – he’s put on himself. In my roundup of that live blog, I actually questioned why he was was running so far to the right. Guess he listened – but it’s a little late.
The Republicans have nominated a conservative trio – McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli. While I like both McDonnell and Bolling personally (sorry – don’t know Cuccinelli), Virginia can’t afford to have them win. Articles like this one combined with blog comments and postings help paint the true picture of how these guys will operate. Democrats and independents have to keep our eyes on the prize.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
And nominate someone squeaky-clean like Terry McAuliffe, huh?
Um, no. Please refer to my previous post 😉
And nominate uber liberal Moran
right that will go really with with the moderates
About as much as uber conservative McDonnell will.
Vivian-Since we’d all agree that Cuccinelli is to the right of McDonnell doesn’t that mean he can’t be an “uber” conservative? His gun votes that cost him the NRA endorsement in 2005 would also be evidence of that.
NMM- Before this campaign, I wouldn’t have considered Moran an “uber” liberal. Under pressure from McAuliffe, he has moved left. He made a mistake in promising to repeal Marshall-Newman in that: a)it’s not something a governor can do or really have that much influence on and b)it’s not a winning arguement politically in Virginia at this time. In the unlikely event he wins the primary, that position is going to come back to haunt him.
Steve – see my comment below.
Brian hasn’t promised to repeal M-N, only that he will work for its repeal. In truth, that’s really not a move to the left for him. He was an outspoken critic of it on the House floor, prior to its passage. And he worked tirelessly against it. Those of us who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Brian against M-N are well aware of his stance on it.
Vivian, McDonnell once was an Uber Conservative to the point he cared about what even married couples could legally do in the bedroom. You saw the articles and editorials in the Pilot I bet.
Since his stepping on several political land mines, McDonnell has run fast to the left side of the spectrum. As front man for the RPV, McDonnell has several times supported “Big Government”. Even being from Virginia Beach, he supported the HRTA. He is infamously known as Bob “one gun a month” McDonnell. He strongly supported legislation that would have preserved the ability for localities to continue to ABUSE Eminent Domain. That legislation pushed by himself, former Delegate Terrie Suit etc., thankfully failed and we got REAL reform the next year. McDonnell in recent past has tried SO HARD to be green, only Brian Moran appears “Greener”.
Given his recent “moderate” record as AG and face of VA GOP, aren’t you concerned that you’ll face credibility issues by trying to call McDonnell an “Uber Conservative”? Being a Democrat and wanting Democrats to win is fine(and you have a darn good Democrat leaning blog here BTW), but labeling the inconsistent McDonnell a consistent “Conservative” just doesn’t ring true. Voters will detect something not passing the “Smell Test”.
I was really being facetious, Britt. I don’t think Moran is an uber liberal – how can one support the death penalty and be considered an uber liberal? – any more than I think McDonnell is an uber conservative. He is, though, a conservative with political ambitions, which necessitated his left-ward moves.
Glad you like the blog 😉
Mind if I steal that line
Moran He is, though, a liberal with political ambitions, which necessitated his left-ward moves.
Oh woops wait a minute shouldn’t that be right-ward moves. Oh wait whoops so much for that theory.
I will say you run a great blog but Moran is a liberal and is galloping left which then makes him a uberliberal.
McConnell did not have to run a primary campaign, nor did he even have competition for the convention vote. He has, therefore, been in general-election mode for some time now. That means running to the center. Moran, however, has been running to the left to get primary votes. He, too, will move right if he wins the primary.
McCauliffe is nothing but a political opportunist.
Mouse beat me to it – big difference between a general election campaign and a primary campaign.