University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato said it's Cuccinelli's positions on social issues taken over the years as a state senator and then as attorney general that have now put him at odds with a far more moderate Virginia electorate, especially in vote-rich Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. "The mistake was made years ago in taking positions that no longer sell in a moderate swing state," said Sabato. "Ken Cuccinelli's positions don't fit Virginia at least on the social side that's the fundamental error."