Bob Lewis, the Associated Press political reporter who last week published an erroneous report about Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, has been temporarily suspended, POLITICO has learned.
Lewis, a highly respected veteran on the Richmond political scene, will no longer cover the race between McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli, and may be suspended through the election. His last story on the race was published Oct. 14.
Lewis did not respond to a request for comment regarding the suspension. The Associated Press declined to comment on personnel matters.
On Oct. 9, Lewis published an exclusive report for the AP alleging that McAuliffe had lied to a federal official investigating a death benefits scam, seemingly upending one of this year’s most contentious political races. The Associated Press retracted the story one hour and thirty-eight minutes later, on the grounds that the initials referenced in the indictment did not identify McAuliffe. Lewis immediately took responsibility.
Voter purge case puts Cuccinelli in conflict of interest
Why on earth should the voter purge be done now, right before an election? That’s something that is done as part of clean up after an election. Well, Rachel explained why.
Attorney General Cuccinelli needs to recuse himself on this one. I see a clear conflict of interest since he is one who would stand to gain from any improper purging.
This race will be close. The most dangerous thing either side could do is rest on the complacency of poll results. Every vote will count.
