Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe would not say whether he finds the "Washington Redskins" NFL team name personally offensive Wednesday in his debate with Republican Ken Cuccinelli.
McAuliffe attempted to awkwardly pivot and compliment the Redskins on their new Richmond facility before being cut off by moderator Chuck Todd.
Cuccinelli said he believes whether the team ought to change their name is "entirely up to them."
The Virginia attorney general added he also did not believe RG3 should have played after he hurt his knee early in the Redskins playoff loss to Seattle last January:
CHUCK TODD: I have one weird sports question. Redskins, should they change their name, Mr. McCuliffe, offensive to Native Americans, should they change the name?
TERRY MCAULIFFE: I don't think the governor ought to be telling private businesses what they should do about their business.
TODD: Even if it is offensive to people?
MCAULIFFE: I don't think the government should be telling --
TODD: Do you have a personal opinion?
MCAULIFFE: As governor, I'm not going to tell Dan Snyder or anybody else what they should do with their business. I want to congratulate the Redskins, I went down to their training park this year. It is a spectacular --
TODD: Mr. Cuccinelli, do you think it's time for the Redskins to change their name?
KEN CUCCINELLI: I think that is up to them entirely. I think 80 years of history with that team is hard to leave behind, I understand that. I also don't think RG3 should have been played in the second quarter in the playoffs last year.