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RNC Chair stops in Richmond, talks politics and Star Scientific

Posted at 6:50 PM, Jul 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-07-12 01:06:32-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR) -- RNC Chairman Reince Priebus stopped in Central Virginia Thursday to help open a campaign office for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Afterwards CBS 6 political reporter Joe St. George spoke to him one one one regarding the state of the Republican party, his thoughts on Ken Cuccinelli as Virginia's nominee, and the ongoing controversy involving Governor Bob McDonnell and Star Scientific.

"First of all, I don't know a whole lot about it other than what i read in the papers. It's just something we are not following as closely as you are in Richmond," Priebus said.

When asked if Virginia should have stricker campaign donation laws, Priebus indicated that is not his place.

"I don't get to make those decisions - you have a whole lot of state legislators here that get to make those decisions. I am not familiar with campaign finance laws of Virginia but generally I think the First Amendment has a rule," Priebus said.

Priebus is in the midst of of second term as chair with a focus on re-branding the Republican Party nationally after a defeat in 2012. St. George asked if Cuccinelli fits that "new" brand.

"I think what this party needs is people of their word who runs for office and governs like they campaign and that's what Ken is," Priebus said.

Priebus indicated that Virginia will receive special attention from the national party because the gubernatorial race is held in an off year.

"What we are going to see is a whole lot more of these victory centers around Virginians, probably more than what we had in 2012," Priebus said.