I didn’t think I’d say I’d be sad to see Lt. Gov. Bill
Bolling drop out of the race to become Virginia’s next governor, but 2012 has
been a year of many twists and turns.
On Wednesday, Gov. Bob McDonnell’s side-kick in the
executive mansion announced he would no longer be seeking the GOP nomination to
become Virginia’s next governor. Instead, that award will fall into the lap of
Virginia’s Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli.
In his e-mail announcement that he would no longer be
seeking the governorship in Virginia, Bolling stated that a switch “in the
nomination method pulled off by Cuccinelli supporters last summer – from a
statewide primary to an “exclusive” party convention”[1]
– had created too many barriers. Bolling didn’t mention whether he would seek
reelection as lieutenant governor in 2013.
On the same day as Bolling’s announcement, Cuccinelli issued
a statement that “praised” Bolling for his service to the public. Cuccinelli
stated, “Throughout the race, I have kept to the promise that Bill and I are
allies in governance, even if temporary competitors in politics.”[2]
It’s easy to be so gracious in victory.
Now that the dust has settled, somewhat un-climatically,
Cuccinelli will square off against the former head of the national Democratic
Party, Terry McAuliffe, a successful businessman[3]
and political administrator.
It is possible that former U.S. House member Tom Perriello
will throw in his hat for Virginia’s governorship, but so far Perriello has
publicly indicated no interest.[4]
Many political insiders feel that Bolling gave the
Republican Party the best chance of remaining in the executive mansion come
2013. Cuccinelli has a loyal base of supporters, but the common belief is that
his base of supporters won’t be enough to catapult him to victory against the
Democratic nominee due to his less-than-moderate views.
However, as Mitt Romney demonstrated during the 2012
presidential election, political images can be reshaped to fit the purpose of
the candidate if given enough time. While President Obama’s campaign team did a
great job of framing Romney as an out-of-touch top executive born into a world
of privilege, he almost managed to overturn this image in the waning days and
weeks of the campaign.
Anything is possible in politics, as in life. Luckily for
political junkies, it seems like this year’s race for governor is going to be
as exciting as the personalities running.
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/bill-bolling-to-drop-out-of-va-governor-race/2012/11/28/4b57a908-3916-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_blog.html
[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/bill-bolling-to-drop-out-of-va-governor-race/2012/11/28/4b57a908-3916-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_blog.html
[3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/21/AR2010052104043.html
[4] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/bill-bolling-to-drop-out-of-va-governor-race/2012/11/28/4b57a908-3916-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_blog.html
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