Youngkin victory . . . would be significant. It wouldn\u2019t just send tremors of fear through Democrats nationally, presumably making the party\u2019s agenda that much more difficult to get through Congress; it would point to a viable path ahead for the GOP in swing areas, one that keeps on board the Trump base while regaining lost ground with independents and suburbanites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be sure, no race is completely replicable, and candidate quality matters. Youngkin is hardly a once-in-a generation political talent, but he\u2019s proved an adept and winsome campaigner. On the other hand, McAuliffe is one of the most irrepressible personalities in American politics \u2014 Bill Clinton doesn\u2019t spend countless hours playing cards with you if you\u2019re not entertaining \u2014 but has of late seemed exhausted, desperate and afraid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Youngkin pulls it off, his sidestepping of Donald Trump will have been a huge factor. In a state like Virginia, you can\u2019t be anti-Trump and win a GOP nomination. But nor can you be pro-Trump, or too vocally pro-Trump, and win a statewide election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin walked this tightrope with some deft maneuvering \u2014 get Trump\u2019s endorsement, but don\u2019t talk about him or invite him to the state \u2014 and by making mighty exertions to define himself in his own right.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Youngkin victory . . . would be significant. It wouldn’t just send tremors of fear