33.7%. That was an absolutely ghastly performance that should’ve ended his electoral career. That he didn’t get in the mid to high 40s in that race is one thing (with McQueeg at the top of the ticket, who wasn’t even attempting to win, he got 46%), but that was scarcely more then that hapless Black Minister, Maurice Dawkins, the Republicans put up against Chuck Robb in 1988 received when Sen. Paul Trible ran away like a coward (he got under 30%).
I’ll say again, that was the worst % of the vote a first tier candidate for the U.S. Senate received in the Commonwealth since they instituted the popular vote. Why would someone with that distinction get it in their head that they’re deserving to be President ? That’s mental illness.
While all you’re saying is true, the situation was greatly exacerbated by his facing a highly popular former governor in Mark Warner, and the Obama wave that swept the entire country. At the time, Warner presented himself as a centrist, so moderates decided to take a chance on him.
Anyone would’ve been similarly blown off the field that year.
Yeah, a popular opponent and bad year doesn’t excuse 33.7%, barely a third of the vote, nearly 13 points behind McCain, that was absolutely putrid, he should have at least cracked 40%. His entry into this race was preposterous. I presume he’s running to raise his profile rather than genuine belief he can win. He’s no more mentally ill than Gary Johnson or Virgil Goode, who ran 3rd party.
I have to put Gilmore as my #5 choice, ahead of
Wide Load (But for the Obama ring kissing during the hurricane I could have him higher, that’s tough to forget or forgive), Boris Johnson, George III, and Gay’s Itch.