On Friday, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, an association of leading businesses in the vote-rich area of the Commonwealth, was scheduled to endorse GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli, through its PAC. The Washington Post reports, however, that the announcement was delayed after furious behind-the-scenes lobbying by the McAuliffe campaign to have the endorsement rescinded. Most surprising, however, is that GOP Lt. Gov Bill Bolling was among those lobbying the trade group on McAuliffe’s behalf, against his fellow Republican.
The Post reported that the move “was the first public indication that Bolling, the Republican lieutenant governor who said he would not endorse Cuccinelli after being outmaneuvered by him in the primary fight, is actively pulling for McAuliffe.”
Bolling, who had considered running as an Independent after realizing he couldn’t win a GOP primary, is more “moderate” on issues than the conservative Cuccinelli. That said, it is still surprising that he would actively interfere in a group’s political endorsements.
According the the Post, Cuccinelli “impressed the board’s majority as a serious, detail-oriented candidate while McAuliffe seemed to wing it.”
“[Terry] didn’t want to get pinned down to any details,” according to a board member of the group. “He didn’t give any details. He was all about jobs, jobs, jobs — ‘I’m just going to take care of the situation when the time comes. I’m just going to do it.’ It was all [expletive].”
While recent polling has shown McAuliffe with a steady, but narrow, lead in the race, Bolling’s actions in support of the Democrat suggest the race is tightening.
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