RICHMOND, Va. – Usually an incumbent with a 15 percent lead in the polls lays low, especially when he is given a 90 percent chance of winning re-election by the Las Vegas bookies masquerading as political handicappers in Washington.
But not Mark Warner and not in 2014.
As we can see from the budget deadlock at the Virginia General Assembly, there are vast differences of opinion between DEMS and REPUBLICANS on health issues, especially Obamacare/Medicaid/Medicare expansion all rolled into one huge political fight his year.
Warner has voted, as expected, with Obama/McAuliffe on these issues. Gillespie has never held public office nor have his challengers for the GOP nomination.
This gives Gillespie an opening to adopt whatever positions the polls say voters like on these hot button issues. This is always the challenger’s advantage, the incumbent must defend his or her record, meaning every single vote, no matter how small the matter, can become a big political deal.
Why is Warner taking the offense against a big underdog especially when Gillespie has yet to show he is ready for prime time?
Norm and I explain the situation in our piece on Warner Dares Gillespie On Obamacare.
Paul Goldman is in no way affiliated with WTVR. His comments are his own, and do not reflect the views of WTVR or any related entity. Neither WTVR nor any of its employees or agents participated in any way with the preparation of Mr. Goldman’s comments.
