Ken Cuccinelli’s focus on anti-sodomy legislation an odd mix of unimportance and contradiction

If you want an issue not to campaign on for elected office, call Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s campaign hotline for governor to get the latest insights on criminalizing “sodomy.”  As Think Progress pointed out, Ken Cuccinelli’s new campaign website for Virginia’s top executive office highlights his efforts to role Virginia’s law-books back towards a time when “Crimes Against Nature Law” still existed.

But wait, I know what you’re thinking, wasn’t it Cuccinelli who not too long ago chided an audience in Virginia about their focus on Cuccinelli’s relationship with legally embattled Star Scientific CEO, Jonnie Williams? Didn’t Cuccinelli say how much he wanted to focus on the economy and creating jobs?

Indeed, this is the same Cuccinelli who is now reverting to the old “anti-sodomy” political card not played in Virginia in some time. Hats off to you, sir!

If Cuccinelli is truly intending on having a winning chance at becoming Virginia’s next governor, he has an odd way of going about proving it. While anti-sodomy legislation may be appealing to Generation Old (i.e., the pre-Baby Boomer generation), I can’t imagine it carries much importance with the rest of the electorate in Virginia, excepting the religious right.

What I’m more confident about is that many, if not most, Virginians are more concerned with Virginia’s economy and being able to maintain an American standard of living than with what goes on between two consenting adults on their own private property.

Not only is Cuccinelli’s focus on anti-sodomy legislation an odd campaign issue to prioritize, it also may isolate the base of libertarian backers in Virginia who have, on the whole, seen in Cuccinelli their policy champion. But any true-blooded libertarian would be hard-pressed to explain why the sexual actions of two consenting adults should be under the microscope of Virginia’s laws.  

It is the height of hubris for any individual to believe that he or she knows what is best and right for anyone but themselves. Thus, what Cuccinelli’s focus on anti-sodomy legislation demonstrates is how Leviathan Cuccinelli really is compared to the “don’t tread on me” persona that Cuccinelli has energetically cultivated.