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Domestic Intervention

4/11/2013

1 Comment

 

Hello Folks, its Fight Time !

Top of the bill tomorrow night fighting for the Virginia governorship we have in the red corner representing the Republicans Ken Cuccinelli and in the blue corner representing the Democrats is Terry McAuliffe. Now besides the good people of Virginia and the nearest and dearest of the two contestants, who actually gives a fig about this latest mid term, middle ranking political bout? I'm glad you asked.

Firstly, dear Ken is a Tea party associate, in other words, he represents the sharp end of conservative America - a hard sell one might think after the recent shenanigans in Washington. However, Virginia is not known for its bleeding heart liberalism - the present incumbent in the governor's house is Republican. Moreover, Ken is a committed objector to that 'socialist implant'  - Obama Care.  Secondly, dear Terry who was co chairman of  Bill Clinton's re-election campaign in the 1990's, subsequently, became chairman of Hilary's presidential attempt in 2008. In other words, the Clintons and Terry are close. Moreover, Hilary has been down in Virginia actively campaigning for her pal Terry. Now taking into account that the ex Secretary of State is not exactly welcomed with open arms in this neck of the woods one wonders what she is actually doing or who she is representing ?

Now what is even more interesting about Virginia is the changing demographics of this particular state as more Hispanics and Asians arrive  - a microcosm of national socio-political changes no less. Hence, the political media word is that Hilary is preparing the ground for her next presidential run in 2016 and a Terry victory would help oil the wheels of this political process. However, a victory for tea party Ken suggests that conservative America is still alive and kicking regardless of ethnic trends and Congressional nonsense. Therefore, keep an eye on this particular bout since the winner could either signal the further entrenchment of conservative values in the blue ridge mountains or give us a real hint as to who might be a real contender to become the next Champion of the White House.               
1 Comment
Wout Vergauwen
5/11/2013 02:43:50 am

I think it was a safe bet for Hillary Clinton, and this because of several reasons. First of all, the polls shows she hasn’t anything to lose really. Every recent poll (since July that is) shows McAuliffe leads Cuccinelli, according to the latest polls even by 7%. Second, Virginia isn’t as red as it is perceived. Although the incumbent governor is a Republican, his two predecessors were Democrats. On top of that, the state’s electoral votes in 2008 and 2012 went to president Obama, the state’s US senators are both Democrats and the state’s Senate is equally divided between 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans.

A McAuliffe victory wouldn’t harm Hillary’s 2016 campaign, quite the opposite indeed. And because of what I just mentioned, I think Hillary’s endorsement was a strategic move. Endorsing McAuliffe on a Democratic organized “Women for Terry” rally was pretty much the safest thing Clinton could’ve done to raise her visibility level – she endorsed a safe candidate, she was among supporters and among women, meaning she could score easy points by talking over birth control and the right for equal pay.

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    Dr J Ken Kennard Professor of Politics and History - Master Program in American Studies - Universiteit Gent

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