Very interesting statement issued today by the Lt. Governor (emphasis mine).
RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s decision to reconsider his call for ballot access changes in advance of the March Republican Primary:
“Needless to say, I am pleased that Attorney General Cuccinelli has abandoned his call for legislative changes to Virginia’s ballot access requirements in advance of the Republican presidential primary in March. While I do not object to the General Assembly considering changes to our ballot access requirements for future elections, it would have been inappropriate to make such changes in the middle of the current presidential nominating process. That would have been terribly unfair to Governor Romney and Congressman Paul, both of whom successfully complied with these requirements and filed a sufficient number of legal petition signatures to qualify for the Virginia ballot.
“Going forward, I would also encourage Attorney General Cuccinelli to avoid making public statements that criticize our state election laws while his office is defending the State Board of Elections in a lawsuit that has been brought against them by Governor Perry and certain other presidential candidates. I am concerned that such public comments could be used against the Commonwealth in our effort to defend these lawsuits, and I am confident that the Attorney General would not want to do anything that could jeopardize his office’s ability to win this case.”
Excellent point. Bill Bolling wins this round.
Filed under: 2012 Elections, Bill Bolling, Ken Cuccinelli
I point you back to my original conspiracy theory. Not admitting people to the primary is a power play about 2013. It’s not about the good of the country or the Virginia voters. It’s about getting exposure for Bill Bolling.
This could turn out to be bad exposure if Romney loses VA to Ron Paul.
More whinning from Bolling, I’m tired to listening to his negitivity.
I really didn’t view this as a “win/lose” situation, but that’s just my opinion.
You may not have viewed it that way, but I can guarantee that Ken did.
Wait… Let me get this straight. The head of Mitt Romney’s campaign in Virginia wants to maintain the situation which many Virginians feel is a national embarassment, so that Republican voters are forced to choose between Mitt Romney or Ron Paul, whom many Republicans view as unacceptable as the nominee. The only way to get some Republicans to vote for Mitt Romney is to give them no other choice.
So the head of Mitt Romney’s campaign is publicly advocating for this embarassing situation to remain un-fixed. That makes Romney’s campaign look good, doesn’t it?
Then add to this the fact that the same Bill Bolling is a leader in the Republican Party of Virginia which counted the petition signatures, and created the situation, and… some things make you want to go “Hmmm….”
Bill Bolling wants to leave Virginia as a national joke this March 6, while Ken Cuccinelli was a leader looking for solutions.
Do one of those two impress you as a better choice for Governor?
[...] Bill Bolling’s Statement on Ken Cuccinelli’s Statement Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2012 by Lovettsville Lady Very interesting statement issued today by the Lt. Governor (emphasis mine). RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s decision to reconsider his call for ballot access changes in advance of the March Republican Primary: “Needless to say, I am pleased that Attorney General Cuccinelli has abandoned his call for legislative changes to Virginia’s ballot access requirements in advance of the Republican presidential primary in March. While I do not object to the General Assembly considering changes to our ballot access requirements for future elections, it would have been inappropriate to make such changes in the middle of the current presidential nominating process. That would have been terribly unfair to Governor Romney and Congressman Paul, both of whom successfully complied with these requirements and filed a sufficient number of legal petition signatures to qualify for the Virginia ballot. “Going forward, I would also encourage Attorney General Cuccinelli to avoid making public statements that criticize our state election laws while his office is defending the State Board of Elections in a lawsuit that has been brought against them by Governor Perry and certain other presidential candidates. I am concerned that such public comments could be used against the Commonwealth in our effort to defend these lawsuits, and I am confident that the Attorney General would not want to do anything that could jeopardize his office’s ability to win this case.” Excellent point. Bill Bolling wins this round. __________________ GA_googleFillSlot("usmb-728×90-bottom"); [...]
Whatever way the wind blows Mr Cuccinelli. Got your name out there for a little while anyway. Typical of a politician who says whatever they think the people want to hear.
Moseley…. I’d stop embarassing yourself while you’re behind.
I’d say getting nominees on the ballot is too strict, however, like Bolling said, you can’t change the rules halfway through the game.
Maybe the Redskins should try that route? The first three interceptions that Grossman throws only count as incompletions.
Glad Cuccinelli backtracked on the push for emergency legislation. Folks should notice that at no point did he suggest the existing laws are unconstitutional, just that a legislative fix is preferable. Bolling seems to suggest that advocating for a legislative change is the same thing as undermining the effectiveness of existing law. This critique could be levied at Cuccinelli for every support for changes in legislation Cuccinelli takes between now and November 2013.
After considering the feasibility (virtually none) of passing emergency legislation, and the deleterious effects on the Romney and Paul campaigns, Cuccinelli decided in favor of the rule of law as there was no fair and effective option for the passage of emergency legislation.
My thoughts exactly. I see his reconsideration as just.
I’d like to see a review of the RPV certification process and the legislation for future elections, does Bolling?
This whole situation is a parody of itself.
I would like to see the written rules for excluding a signature.
Republican volunteers decide who is excluded, with no oversight.
James, apparently there were no written rules. Volunteers say they had about 1 minute of training and no one expert to answer questions.
What makes Mr. Bolling think attorneys representing Governor Perry and other Presidential candidates could not use his statement? He is asserting here there are weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s case.
Please get back to trying to usurp the legislative powers of the General Assembly. Next week Virginia’s Senate will experience a test for representative government. The Executive should not infringe on the Legislature’s power to organize.
A compromise should be to EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR FILING. There should still be enough time. Primary is not until 6 March.
This can be done fairly easily, doesn’t change existing rules on number of signatures needed and gives the other candidates a chance to get on the ballot.
I have no confidence in Bill Bolling’s ability to win the war, but he clearly won this skirmish. He caught Cuccinelli in full flip-flop mode and called him out on it. Having shot from the hip about the ballot process, Cucinelli should have stood his ground. “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” Voters rarely hold politicians accountable for being wrong, but they hate it when they change their minds.
I would call it an awkward moment for both Bolling and Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli acknowledged that the process was onerous and resulted in limited choice to voters even though it was the candidate’s responsibility to comply with the requirements. He looked into it and determined that the rule of law should be supreme and backed off earlier intent to seek immediate change. That should not weaken his defence of Virginia’s law but supports it.
I question whether it was appropriate for Bolling to dress the AG down in the manner he did. As Romney’s Campaign Manager he was not showing much interest in either the other candidates or the Commonwealth’s voters. There needs to be greater public unity and cordiality for maximum effectiveness.