The risks of running as Trump-lite

Glenn Youngkin is running as Trump-lite; it’s a challenging journey.

The GOP nominee for governor of Virginia is trying to thread a delicate political needle: to be Trumpian enough to energize the party’s hard-core base, but not so much it turns off independent-minded suburban voters who have turned the state politically blue this century.

It’s awkward as the wealthy former private equity executive parades as a populist, trying to appeal to both sides on issues ranging from election integrity to COVID-19. His worst fear may be if Trump, who has said Youngkin will “make Virginia great again,” actually comes into the state to campaign for him.

Youngkin’s Democratic opponent, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, links Youngkin to Trump in virtually every interview, speech or ad. President BidenJoe BidenFBI releases first Sept. 11 document following Biden executive order Afghan pilots to be transferred to US base after fleeing to Uzbekistan: WSJ NATO head says alliance signed off on US withdrawal from Afghanistan MORE this summer called the Republican candidate “an acolyte for Trump.”

Youngkin essentially was — in order to win the contested Republican nomination this spring. “Trump represents so much of why I’m running,” Youngkin declared.

He also has said “election integrity” is a priority for his candidacy, seeming to embrace Trumps “big lie” that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him last year. Youngkin attended a Trump-supporting rally for that cause at Liberty University in Lynchburg. Trump has warned that Democrats will “cheat” to win this election.

After Youngkin won the nomination in May, he started to pivot, finally acknowledging that Biden had won the election and removing some previous messages from his campaign website.

This is a tough balancing act. The core Trump base tolerates little dissent from their man, while Virginia’s independent-minded voters, who voted decisively against the former president, have little tolerance for what they consider demagoguery.

Most of the public supports COVID-19 vaccinations, while Trumpites are among the more active anti-vaxxers. Youngkin straddles. He is vaccinated, and he urges others to do likewise. But he opposes any requirement, saying people have the ability to make that decision for themselves. On this issue he has praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisGOP seeks Biden referendum over vaccine mandates By defeating Newsom recall, pro-choice women would send a powerful message  Education Department opens civil rights probe into Florida mask mandate ban MORE, a favorite of the Trump right, even as COVID cases surge in Florida.

The first-time political candidate, dipping into his considerable wealth to make this a competitive race, generally avoids the media and has ducked debates. There is a debate slated for next Friday. A key will be whether Youngkin can still straddle.

It’s easy to see why the Republican is hiding. A liberal group surreptitiously got him to…