With just four days to go until Super Tuesday, likely Gubernatorial candidates Ed Gillespie and Rep. Rob Wittman refuse to tell Virginians who they'll support for President in fear that it will damage their prospects in 2017. Meanwhile, candidates Ken Cuccinelli and Corey Stewart proudly stump for Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, respectively.
So what's behind this strategic silence? Politics, of course, as noted by Richmond Times-Dispatch's Jeff Schapiro:
"Two of the party’s candidates for the 2017 gubernatorial nomination, Washington fixer Ed Gillespie and 1st District U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, are silent on their choices. Gillespie says public neutrality now means it’s easier later to work for the nominee. But Gillespie’s deep roots in the Establishments mean he’s likely still suspect among tea party and libertarian Republicans...."
The kicker? "Washington fixer" Ed Gillespie has done several media appearances talking about the Republican candidates' performances, yet he refuses to tell Virginians where he stands.
"Being Governor of Virginia means being a leader, and that requires honesty about where you stand," said Emily Bolton of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "Virginians deserve to know who Ed Gillespie and Rob Wittman support for President. Gillespie and Wittman are Washington elites who run in the same circle as these candidates, so why do they refuse to tell Virginians who they support?"
FINAL SCORECARD:
Ken Cuccinelli: Endorsed Ted Cruz
Corey Stewart: Endorsed Donald Trump
Ed Gillespie: ?
Rob Wittman: ?
Corey Stewart: Endorsed Donald Trump
Ed Gillespie: ?
Rob Wittman: ?
BACKGROUND:
Rob Wittman and Ed Gillespie refuse to let Virginians know who they support for President. "Two of the party’s candidates for the 2017 gubernatorial nomination, Washington fixer Ed Gillespie and 1st District U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, are silent on their choices. Gillespie says public neutrality now means it’s easier later to work for the nominee. But Gillespie’s deep roots in the Establishments mean he’s likely still suspect among tea party and libertarian Republicans...." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/23/2016]
Media appearances and articles where Gillespie shared his opinions on Republican candidates:
- MSNBC Interview on MSNBC about trump immigration comments [9/16/2015]
- CNN Interview on Trump Univision debacle [8/26/2015]
- Fox News Radio - Former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie: Never Underestimate Trump [8/14/2015]
- Bloomberg - Debate Preview: Who’s Got the Most at Stake? [8/5/2015]
- Columbus Dispatch - Can Kasich pull it off? [7/21/2015]
- WaPo: Republicans noisily outraged — and quietly relieved — over court decision [6/25/2015]
- WaPo: In Virginia, the GOP establishment battles back — for the White House [6/10/2015]
- Bloomberg: Rand Paul Should Lay Out 'Positive Agenda,' Says Ed Gillespie [5/29/2015]