Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is no stranger to criticism from this side of the Potomac. But it appears as if voters in the Old Dominion think he’d be a fine candidate for the Republican party to field in the state’s next gubernatorial election.

The Washington Times reports on a recent poll which shows that 56 percent of Virginians have a favorable opinion of Cuccinelli, and more than twice as many of the states Republicans would favor Cuccinelli over his closest competitor, current Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. (Virginia’s governors, of course, are limited to one four-year term in office; current governor Bob McDonnell has already thrown his support behind Bolling.)

The Cooch as The Governor? Based on his history, we’re guessing Cuccinelli probably wouldn’t be making the list of kinder, gentler GOP state leaders.