In Va. Governor Race, Top Paper Endorses ... No One

Virginia's gubernatorial race pits Democrat Terry McAuliffe against Republican AG Ken Cuccinelli—and the Richmond Times-Dispatch concludes that neither man is worth an endorsement. "This does not gladden us," the editors write, noting that they believe it's a first for the paper in "modern Virginia." Cuccinelli, they write, "rigged" the nomination process to secure a win, while McAuliffe only got the nod because of the Democrats' miserably "weak bench."

The paper takes issue with Cuccinelli's stances on abortion and gay rights, while it says McAuliffe has "spun like a top" on energy issues. Neither major candidate has experience to justify their candidacy, the editors note, citing concerns over Cuccinelli's "ambition" as AG; McAuliffe's "ignorance of state government" makes Rick Perry "look like a Founding Father." As for libertarian Robert Sarvis, while he "has neither embarrassed himself nor insulted the commonwealth," he "has no experience applicable to the governorship, period." The Washington Post and Virginian-Pilot, meanwhile, have endorsed McAuliffe, Politico notes. (More Richmond Times-Dispatch stories.)