A great question from the Democratic Party of Virginia. I mean, given that Cuccinelli reportedly asked Jackson to be on his ticket, given that Cuccinelli didn't intervene at the Republican Party convention to head off his nomination, and given that the two of them both agree in their extreme views and have made equally extreme statements, I'm not sure there's any logical (or illogical, for that matter) way you can refuse to support Jackson yet still support Cuccinelli.
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginian-Pilot reported that Tea Party congressman Scott Rigell will not support E.W. Jackson’s bid for Lieutenant Governor, “because of comments Jackson has made about homosexuals.”
Congressman Rigell’s rejection of Jackson’s dangerous and mean-spirited rhetoric will ring hollow unless he applies that same standard to Ken Cuccinelli’s nearly-identical attacks on gay and lesbian Virginians. And if he won't similarly denounce Cuccinelli's extreme attacks on on gay and lesbian Virginians, he should explain to Virginia voters why not.
If Rigell thinks E.W. Jackson is unworthy of his support because of statements like this one:
“Look, [homosexuality] also attempts to poison our children, divide them from their parents and the teaching of the church and basically turn them into pawns for that movement so that they can sexualize them at the earliest possible age. It really is insidious and I agree with you, it is a super sin.” [Right Wing Watch, 10/25/12]
Then Cuccinelli will certainly be similarly unworthy because of statements like this one:
“When you look at the homosexual agenda, I cannot support something that I believe brings nothing but self-destruction, not only physically but of their soul.” [Washington Post, 2/05/08]
There is no question that E.W. Jackson’s hateful rhetoric about gay and lesbian Virginians is far below the standard Virginians set for their leaders. So is his running mate Ken Cuccinelli’s.
If Republicans want voters to believe this ugly rhetoric does not represent their party then they’ll stop nominating and supporting any candidates who use it. Not just some of them.
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