Brownlee & Cuccinelli - Capital Punishment
A couple of law - blogs are taking notice about John Brownlee and Ken Cuccinelli on capital punishment. Brought up and discussed is Cuccinelli's opposition to repealing the triggerman rule in 07 and this WAPO article quoting Cuccinelli.
"We're killing enough people in Virginia," said Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), who voted against the repeal of the triggerman rule but for the bill on slayings of judges. "We already have three very big exceptions [in the triggerman rule], so it isn't like it's something we don't cover to some degree now."
I supported the repeal and found Cuccinelli's view that a judges life is more important than say my Moms very troubling. Tom McKenna takes Cooch's argument apart in his post Capital Punishment Divides Republican AG Candidates in Virginia. He writes Emphasis mine
Sadly, Mr. Cuccinelli, who should garner alot of support from social conservatives, will lose his bid for the Republican nomination for AG, in part because of his opposition to capital punishment. The "moderates" of Northern Virginia (his home) won't reward him for it because on all other social issues he's solidly pro-life-- and horror of horrors, a homeschooler (you know, one of those). And the downstate Repubs will wonder why we should have an AG who opposes capital punishment when one of the AG's most important responsibilities is to defend capital convictions vigorously in the state and federal appellate courts.
By default then, the nomination will fall to John Brownlee, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, a social conservative, and someone who believes in the appropriate use of capital punishment.
You may also like what Jay Anderson has posted as he comments on this issue as well. If capital punishment is a issue to you, then this is must read material.
For first time visitors - I support John Brownlee for AG.
posted by Carl Kilo at 5:53:00 PM
Comments on "Brownlee & Cuccinelli - Capital Punishment"
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Anonymous said ... (6:04 PM) :
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Carl Kilo said ... (9:27 PM) :
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RightsideVA said ... (11:10 PM) :
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Carl Kilo said ... (1:22 AM) :
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Brian L. said ... (8:43 AM) :
post a commentBrownlee is the real electable choice in this contest. The Dems don't stand a chance against him. Cuccinelli simply has too much baggage. We simply cannot have someone regularly referred to as Kooky-nelli on the ticket with McDonnell and Bolling.
I agree L.I.
I think Brownlee is the strongest candidate for AG statewide in many years.
Same here...
I get a "Politician" feel out of Cuccinelli instead of somebody I want to defend the common man as Attorney General...
BGrownlee has been a prosecutor which is what I beleieve the AG needs to do his job...
I agree 100% Rightside.
Brownlee went against the drug companies...They are huge donors to the GOP...I was impressed then with his stance.
Brownlee can win statewide because his record shows he fights for the citizens he represents...Not Republicans or democrats, but the letter of the law..
His experience slays Cooch's in a court room and that cant be denied.
What I see is Cooch supporters hailing him as a conservative vote in the senate, not his actual time in a courtroom. You nailed it with your comment my friend - Cooch cannot carry SWVA because of his SAFA money and his votes on gun rights and capital punishment.
You nailed it Rightside. What I see in most of Ken's supporters is "we owe him for being a decent conservative vote in the senate", not why is is better qualified as AG.
I have said it before and I will say it again - Cooch cannot win statewide. He cannot carry the 9th district and Brownlee can by a huge margin.
Seriously, Cuccinelli is a conservative in the Senate, which is exactly where we need him. Why put another seat in the General Assembly at risk, when we have a tough-on-crime candidate ready to run for the post from *outside* of the Commonwealth's government?
:)
Regards,
Brian (who was amazed by his first FCRC meeting last night)