Cuccinelli has been unsuccessful in overcoming the accusations by his opponents that his social conservative views on abortion, gay marriage and contraception are too extreme for Virginians. Arguably his ideological steadfastness, not moderation, was the key part of his playbook. "His positions on social issues are well to the right of this increasingly moderate state," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for politics. "It's a Mid-Atlantic state, not a Southern state."