Even after the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed the U.S. House, the Republican Party of Virginia continues to drill Creigh Deeds and Jody Wagner for their refusal to take a position on the bill:“Creigh Deeds is running as the heir-apparent to Tim Kaine,” Mullins said. “The governor has now publicly praised the scheme and five elected representatives of his party voted in favor of it. Deeds has to say where he stands. This is a legitimate question for a guy who wants to follow in Kaine’s footsteps.”So far, the Deeds and Wagner campaigns have responded by ... refusing to answer the question:
"Bob McDonnell might want to inform his National Republican attack dogs that he and Creigh Deeds aren't running for the U.S. Congress," Leopold said. "Creigh Deeds is focused on creating jobs and opportunities across the commonwealth of Virginia, through the powers vested in the governor. Creigh Deeds believes that efforts to protect our environment should keep rates low for consumers and business, encourage investment in new energy technologies, and shouldn't favor one region over another."The attacks have gotten coverage on several newspaper websites and conservative blogs, but progressive blogs haven't touched the issue. (Side note: The line about how energy legislation "shouldn't favor one region over another" is a dog-whistle for "we need to still burn lots of coal.")
Look, Deeds and Wagner saying they supports clean energy while refusing to support clean energy legislation could be smart politics. "There's that radical right-winger Bob McDonnell on one end and that bleeding heart liberal The Green Miles on the other," they can say to undecided voters. "I'm not at either extreme."
But at a time when President Obama is sticking his neck out to get the American Clean Energy and Security Act through Congress, is it really a great move to refuse to stand with him? Aren't you better off taking Rep. Tom Perriello's route and saying, "Agree with me or disagree with me, you know where I stand"?
What do you think? Smart politics or unwise silence?
