The Richmond Times-Dispatch put Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe’s evolving position on offshore oil drilling to the test with its Flip-O-Meter. The result: a Full Flop.
McAuliffe’s record on the issue made it an easy decision.
McAuliffe was clearly against offshore drilling during his failed 2009 campaign to win the democratic nomination for governor.
McAuliffe wrote, "I do not support drilling for oil off our coast" in a Washington Post Q & A session. McAuliffe then reaffirmed his stance on drilling during a Democratic primary debate that year, saying that he agreed with Virginia’s Democratic governor at the time on the issue.
"Yes, and I’ve been consistent from the start of this campaign. There was bipartisan legislation passed, signed by [Democratic] Gov. [Tim] Kaine, promoted by Gov. Kaine, that says no oil drilling, no oil drilling and limited exploration for natural gas," said McAuliffe in a 2009 debate.
McAuliffe has now decided to support legislation that would allow oil and gas exploration off the coast of Virginia.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli’s campaign chalks the flip-flop up to McAuliffe’s unopposed democratic candidacy in this year’s election.
"Terry McAuliffe, once again, stuck his finger in the wind to be sure he says whatever voters want to hear," said Cuccinelli spokesman Ana Nix. "In 2009, when he was running in a liberal Democratic primary, he was absolutely against offshore drilling. Now, in 2013, McAuliffe realized that even Democrats are for offshore drilling and he can’t wait to jump on the bandwagon."
McAuliffe has also been caught flipping his stance on the importance of Virginia’s coal industry.