Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken Cuccinelli isn’t sure whether he would have voted to end the federal government shutdown. Democratic rival Terry McAuliffe is incredulous that Cuccinelli can equivocate on the end to the shutdown.
“Responsible leadership means standing up for Virginia when our economic future is on the line” McAuliffe said in a statement. “I opposed the government shutdown and supported the bipartisan plan to re-open the government because Virginia families can not afford more economic uncertainty caused by Washington gridlock.”
The hub-bub is related to a response offered by Cuccinelli to a question from a reporter at an event in Sterling on whether he would have voted for the bipartisan deal struck last week to end the 16-day government shutdown.
“I don’t know,” was all Cuccinelli could offer.
The response from Democrats was swift.
“Today Ken Cuccinelli confirmed Virginians’ worst fears about what kind of Governor he would be if he’s elected on November 5th,” said Democratic Party of Virginia spokesman Brian Coy. “Instead of condemning his Tea Party friends for holding Virginia’s economy hostage to their extreme shutdown agenda, he stood on the sidelines while real leaders called for action.
“Now, after a bipartisan deal that put people back to work and avoided a cataclysmic default, Cuccinelli still won’t put Virginia families ahead of Ted Cruz and their fellow Tea Party extremists. Given the damage reckless Tea Partiers in Washington have done to our economy, there’s no way we can bring one to Richmond,” Coy said.
McAuliffe added a similar line of thought.
“Ken Cuccinelli’s refusal today to support reopening the government demonstrates a lack of leadership. Once again, he has put Tea Party ideology above what is best for Virginia. When Washington gridlock is hurting Virginia families, ‘I don’t know’ doesn’t cut it,” McAuliffe said.
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