Forgive the Poker analogy, but with Rob Bell apparently folding his hand this week and Ken Cuccinelli sitting on the big blind, time is running out for the other potential players to make their call.
Personally, I think a three-way race between Cuccinelli, Harris and Brownlee has tremedous potential with Cuccinelli as the Social Conservative hero from Northern Virginia, Harris as the Small Government/Business Conservative from Central Virginia and Brownlee as the Pro-Law Enforcement candidate from Southwest Virginia.
Sen. Cuccinelli was in Roanoke last night at the Reagan dinner introducing himself to the folks in Southwest Virginia. As Sen. Ralph Smith pointed out, Ken is an extremely smart guy and a great advocate for conservative principles. In addition, he also seems to already be forming a vision for what he wants to do as Attorney General. He will be tough to beat in a convention and if anyone wants to have a shot at doing it, they'd better make the call soon.
With McDonnell and Bolling taking all the drama out of the up-ticket race, we junkies need some down-ticket action to keep us entertained. We'll see if anyone is willing to take on the challenge.
Zach: I attended the Reagan
Zach: I attended the Reagan Dinner as well and thought Cuccinelli was dreadful. First, he spoke twice as long as any other speaker, and I wasn't sure who he hated more -- Republicans or Democrats. After the dinner, I heard several folks (even very wealthy people who were sitting at his table) talking about how nutty Cuccinelli sounded during his long winded rant. Lord, please let someone else get in the race so poor Bob McDonnell doesn't have to spend the entire Fall explaining away Cuccinelli.
Good thoughts, West
I guess I don't entirely disagree with your comments on Cuccinelli's speech. If it was the first time you had heard him, I would concede that it was not the most focused or polished speech. My remarks about Cuccinelli are based more on my long-term observations than just what he presented on Sat. I do think he has a great conservative legal mind and could be an excellent Attorney General. I think his biggest challenge will be just what you have observed, the idea that while he may fire up the base, he could be dead weight on the ticket in the general. That is not my view, but I have heard it expressed and if another candidate gets in the race, I image electability will be a primary thrust of their campaign.
Brownlee is in....
At least according to a source in the Roanoke legal community who is usually "in the know."
A Cuccinelli, Brownlee, Harris race would be very interesting on paper. However, Harris has a lot of money connections in state and national circles. In a very early handicap, I think Harris is the frontrunner b/c he is going to be able to raise more funds than his opponents by a healthy margin.
However, if the race devolves into the typical Attorney General race in which "crime" is the focus of the contest, Brownlee does bring the prosecutorial chops that the other two lack. That could be a real asset in a race about "stopping crime." Harris and Cuccinelli will have to frame the race in a different manner to avoid getting "out-crimed" by Brownlee.
Brownlee
Wow, I was unaware Brownlee was looking at the nomination for Attorney General
Hey my $$ is on Brownlee seeking the nomination... I don't know the others...
Brownlee has worked his butt off to put the bad guys behind bars. I am not familiar with the records of the other possible candidates.
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