Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest: Bolling refuses to endorse Cuccinelli'and the cat fud flies

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' VA-Gov: I have to say, I didn't expect to start the new election cycle off quite so right'and by "starting off right," I mean, gorging on heaping helpings of delicious cat fud. (Not familiar with the term? See here.) Just a couple of days after departing the 2013 gubernatorial race (and threatening to run indie), GOP Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said he won't endorse the man who squeezed him out, AG Ken Cuccinelli, in stark terms:

"I have no intentions to endorse a candidate in the campaign for governor. I have serious reservations about his ability to effectively and responsibly lead the state. And given those reservations, I could not in good conscience endorse his candidacy for governor."

And now the fud is getting flung in both directions, with state GOP chair Pat Mullins dinging Bolling for his actions and words:

"I am disappointed by Lt. Governor Bolling's remarks over the past 48 hours. Lt. Governor Bolling has a stellar record of public service, and has long been a strong voice for the conservative cause.  Nowhere in his statements does he mention a policy disagreement with the Attorney General.

The proper venue for challenging a fellow Republican is during a nomination contest. Lt. Governor Bolling chose to suspend his campaign. I hope he will take his own words to heart and work to bring our Party together."

If this is what they're saying publicly, imagine what Republicans are saying privately. But they have to choose their words carefully'note Mullins praising Bolling's "stellar record of public service"'to preserve any hopes of bringing their wayward lieutenant governor back into the fold. This oughta be fun!