Cuccinelli’s puzzle: Winning centrists without losing conservatives – The Washington Post

There may be a lesson for Georgia Republicans in the success or failure of Ken Cuccinelli to win the Virginia Governor’s Mansion.

On his campaign’s Web site, Cuccinelli touts his opposition to human trafficking, his sensitivity to sexual-assault victims and his quest to improve Virginia’s mental-health system.

As he campaigns against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, a central question looming over the race to succeed Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) is whether Cuccinelli can appeal to voters with a moderate message while not alienating his core conservative base.

His success — or failure — could have far-reaching ramifications, occurring as the Republican National Committee has called on the party to change its tone and be more inclusive.

For generations a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, Virginia went Democratic for the first time in 44 years when voters supported Obama in 2008 and 2012, a projection of the demographic changes that seemed to have made the state more moderate.

via Cuccinelli’s puzzle: Winning centrists without losing conservatives – The Washington Post.