I’ve seen this pattern before where the Virginia GOP nominates one right-leaning but relatively mainstream candidate on the top of the state ticket and then someone really off the wall in the second spot. This year would seem to fit that mold. The new Lt. Gov. candidate, an African-American, says Planned Parenthood is worse than the KKK and laments African-Americans “slavish devotion” to the Democratic party. Watch.
Late Update: A few people have written in to ask whether I really mean to call Ken Cuccinelli “relatively mainstream.” Actually, no. In that sense he sort of breaks the mold. I’m thinking of earlier cycles in Virginia. But this year we at least have the pattern of the VA GOP deciding that they have to go way further right than the top of the ticket. And with Cuccinelli that takes some doing.
