Virginia Tomorrow

1. Speaking of the AG

Someone mentioned to me the other day that Ken Cuccinelli hadn’t been very visible lately.

I told him that there was no need to worry about the AG, he’d be back in the headlines shortly.

On Friday, Cuccinelli issued a slew of opinions, responding to a request from John O’Bannon by observing that the state’s established practice of funding nonprofits was unconstitutional, telling Bob Marshall that Virginia would have to form its own militia if it wished to keeps gays out of the Guard, and informing Fairfax that it couldn’t charge for AP tests.

In the past two weeks, I’ve had calls from both Newsweek and NPR about reports they’re doing on Cuccinelli.

Anyone who wants to know about how an Attorney General can develop a national profile may be studying the Cuccinelli model for quite some time.

2. The Question

I know a number of Democrats who are very pleased by Cuccinelli’s political ascent.  They believe that he’ll ultimately divide the GOP and that he’ll be eminently beatable in a statewide race. 

Perhaps.

Here is what I think is the real question that will determine the shape of Cuccinelli’s future.

Will he be viewed as the most visible and notable spokesperson for a single yet powerful band of opinion inside the Republican Party. Or is he also developing significant appeal to independents as a different kind of political figure, a no-nonsense, call it like he sees ‘em type of guy willing to stand up against anybody for his principles and his interpretation of constitutional principles? 

3. Allen v. Radtke

Jim Webb still hasn’t said whether he’s running.

But both George Allen and Jamie Radtke aren’t wasting any time getting their campaigns in gear.

Radtke got a welcome invitation from Jim DeMint to speak to the Senate’s Tea Party Caucus and took full advantage, blasting away at Washington’s profligate ways on spending and debt (and framing the campaign that she’ll be running against Allen).

Allen made the formal announcement of his candidacy this week. But, more importantly, he’s spent the last two months layng the groundwork by speaking at GOP events, big and small, around the state.

This tells me two things.

First, Allen’s taking nothing for granted.

Second, he understands that one of his major strengths is the affection that many Republicans around the state still have for him personally. I was speaking to the Virginia Cattlemen this week and, at dinner, one of the members told me “George Allen’s going to get a lot of support around here. He’s been to Louisa twice in the last two months.”

Radtke’s challenge (especially if Corey Stewart and Bob Marshall don’t get in the race) is more serious than some appear to think. Yet her candidacy, fueled by generational and Tea Party enthusiasm against the GOP establishment, faces an opponent who intends to work very hard to get rehired.

4. Jim Moran and Resurgent Racism

Congressmen Jim Moran this week appeared to blame, at least in part, resurgent racism for Democratic losses in the recent congressional elections. Here’s the’s specific remarks that Moran made (taken from the Post):

In this case a lot of people in this country, I believe, don’t want to be governed by an African American, particularly one who is inclusive, who is liberal, who wants to spend money on everyone and who wants to reach out to include everyone in our society. That’s a basic philosophical clash.

I think that the second part of Moran’s argument- that 2010 was an election with a basic philosophical clash over the role of government- is on target.

But I’m not quite sure how resurgent racism is to blame for the Democratic defeats. I presume that there is some number of Americans who “don’t want to be governed by an African-American, ” who have never been satisfied with Obama, and who’ve made remarks with racial overtones.  

Yet I don’t understand why Moran believes that this number was both greater and more decisive in 2010 than in 2008.

Moreover,  as the President considers his re-election chances in 2012, wouldn’t he’d be far better off taking steps to enhance the economic recovery for all Americans than trying to change the hearts of those who may have always objected to his presidency on racial grounds?