Cuccinelli Won't Sign Norquist's No-tax Oath

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, will not sign the Americans for Tax Reform pledge against raising taxes, Politico reports.

This came as a surprise move from a politician known for his straight-ahead conservatism.

Cuccinelli’s campaign confirmed he will not sign the ATR pledge and was careful to explain this is an across-the-board policy for the campaign: he will not make any similar commitments to other special interest groups.

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A Cuccinelli spokesman said the decision not to sign the ATR pledge – which is closely associated with the group’s president, Grover Norquist – shouldn’t be taken as a sign he’s in favor of raising taxes.

“Ken Cuccinelli agrees with the principles of Americans for Tax Reform and keeping taxes low,” said Jahan Wilcox, communications director for the Cuccinelli campaign.

“However, it’s our policy to not sign campaign pledges.”