Is Cuccinelli overshadowing McDonnell?

By Alan Moore | Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 | Catch-All, Policy

In the historic gubernatorial elections of 2009, Bob McDonnell and New Jersey’s Chris Christie claimed the mantle of conservative heroes. No doubt that both have been effective leaders in states that had long suffered from horrendous mismanagement by Democratic incompetence. Between Christie and McDonnell, Christie has certainly taken up more of the headlines for his bold and overtly conservative governance, magnified by the rarity of seeing this in a state historically dominated by the failed policies of liberalism. Since their respective inaugurations McDonnell has been great, but Christie has been exceptional.

Here in Virginia however, McDonnell might even be losing the spotlight to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Based solely on the intensity of the personal hatred spewed on him by the Left, you can tell he’s an effective leader.

Cuccinelli has waged war against socialized medicine in Obamacare, stood up to the farce of global warming at UVA, battled the EPA for their sick obsession with destroying businesses in the name of an ill-fated green ideology, and is now becoming a national figure in the war against illegal immigration. Next legislative session will surely center on this growing problem in the Commonwealth.

With these great accomplishments in such a short period of time, what does Gov. McDonnell have to claim has his? Reopening a couple of rest stops?

I’m being facetious of course, his accomplishments have been many: erasing the fiscal irresponsibility of the Warner and Kaine administrations to turn a surplus when almost every other state is deep in the deficit doldrums, convincing Northrop Grumman to move their headquarters to NoVA, creating jobs, signing a plethora of pro-gun laws, helping the state commit to offshore drilling, and setting the groundwork for improved transportation and an improved economy.

One of President George W. Bush’s biggest public relations mistakes was in his failure to promote his accomplishments. His humility aided in his downfall as his lack of skilled public relations magnified is failures (and there were certainly many). Could McDonnell be facing the same problem? Is he in danger of becoming overshadowed by the uncompromising Cuccinelli?

Lately Cuccinelli has become the darling of Fox News, having appeared 4 times this week alone on the highest rated cable news outlet (by far). He seems to be right in the national debate on some of the biggest issues facing our country today, namely immigration and Obamacare. Could it be that McDonnell is content to keep a low-profile in order to prevent becoming a divisive figure in the national debate? Should he be more bold and start taking on national issues, opposing the failure that is Barack Obama?

My guess is that he will work to be the best Governor he can for Virginia until the end of his term. After that there will be a spot for him on a presidential cabinet somewhere, or perhaps in higher office someday.

As for the Attorney General though, it seems that he’s destined for the national spotlight much sooner. In 2012 is it possible that the junior Senator from the Commonwealth might be none other than Ken Cuccinelli?

You heard it here first…

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