Cuccinelli dismisses 'rebranding' of GOP, makes appeal to Bolling supporters

http://www.washingtontimes.com/ ^ | December 1, 2012 | By David Sherfinski

[Maelstorm]

Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli on Saturday dismissed calls by some for the Republican party to "rebrand" or remake itself in the wake of the 2012 elections and offered an olive branch to supporters of Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who announced this week he does not plan to seek the GOP nomination for governor next year.

"Many of you have heard me talk about our first principles — principles that our Founding Fathers recognized were a gift to us from God," Mr. Cuccinelli, who is running for governor, said at the Republican Party of Virginia Advance in Virginia Beach, according to prepared remarks. "Those principles have not gone out of style, and they don't need to be 'revamped.' "

Mr. Cuccinelli turned back to some recent state history, pointing out that Republicans George Allen and James S. Gilmore III each won election to the governorship in 1993 and 1997, respectively, amid calls for rebranding the party. Since 1977, Virginia has always elected a governor belonging to the opposite party of the president occupying the White House.

"Preserving life, liberty and the opportunity for every Virginian to pursue happiness continue to be the purposes of government," the conservative firebrand said. "These principles are timeless and universal. They apply as much today as they did on July 4th, 1776. They are alive and well in the 21st century, and it's incumbent upon all of us to communicate and connect America's first principles to real policies, policies that affect the lives of Virginians, in areas like taxation, transportation and economic development."

[Maelstorm]

I'm so glad that Ken is our standard bearer in VA. I would've supported either he or Bill though I was going to support Ken on principle at the convention. He's been a smart unwavering advocate for conservative limited government and traditional values. He's fought Obamacare harder than anyone being one of the first state AGs to file lawsuits against it and pushed for a property rights ammendment which passed with 78% here which offerred some of the strongest protections for property rights against eminent domain. Ken is a patriot activist but a smart one who will not retreat from conservatism but instead will lead the charge and make the case for it proudly and for that reason I am proud to support him for Governor.

[Arthurio]

There are rumblings that Bollling is going to run a spoiler independent campaign.

[max americana]

Knowing the GOP, I hope those who call for “rebranding” didn’t mean this “big tent” nonsense aka “immigration reform”..

[DanMiller]

If the Republican Party insists on re-branding, as seems to be the case, it needs some competition. Those of us who don't like the "big tent" idea can and should provide it. Might Allen West and others help?

[fieldmarshaldj]

The GOP does need rebranding. It needs to become a Conservative party.