This is the second aggressive stance that the Democratic AG candidate has taken in the days since the special session on Melendez ended where he had been trumped by GOP nominee Ken Cuccinelli.
On Thursday, he announced that he would personally prosecute internet criminals who preyed on children if he’s elected AG.
This weekend, he is clearly attempting to transform the Hamilton/ODU mess into a statewide issue.
Leading GOP figures- McDonnell, Cuccinelli, Howell- have expressed “disappointment” with Hamilton, but have stopped far short of advocating resignation, saying it is up the voters of his district to decide upon his political future.
Shannon is trying to draw a clear distinction between himself and Cuccinelli on the issue of public ethics and accountability, a matter that the public does associate with the AG’s role.
And I have to believe that this will become become a central theme of Shannon’s campaign.
But I actually think that something more is happening here.
Shannon’s call may be a trial balloon for a broader campaign that Democrats are thinking of running against Republican House members and why the Democrats believe it is time to change the party that controls the chamber.
Given the importance of this year’s House elections to the redistricting process, it’s going to be a take no prisoners campaign.
If the Democrats attempt to turn Hamilton into a metaphor for what is wrong with the House GOP, expect them to respond in kind- highlighting the Governor’s out-of-state travel and VITA.
Observing the public’s anger at politicians today, I doubt that any party will willingly cede the moral high ground to the other side.
Leave a Reply