A former official from the Biden administration has criticized Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger for allegedly mimicking Joe Biden’s approach, claiming she’s mismanaging her political image and letting Republicans shape her narrative. The official suggested she should “come out of the Biden bunker.”
The comments followed a proposal from former Governor George Allen for a virtual debate on redistricting, after he initially declined to engage. Spanberger, when confronted by a Fox News Digital reporter in Richmond, sidestepped the questions.
Michael LaRosa, who once served as a press secretary to former First Lady Jill Biden, voiced strong disapproval of Spanberger on social media. He referred to her recent drop in popularity, as reflected in a Washington Post poll, and said it was “totally self-inflicted and avoidable.” This poll indicated she’s now viewed as the most unfavorable governor since Allen’s tenure.
LaRosa characterized Spanberger’s shift from a popular candidate to a controversial figure as a common but unfortunate trend. He remarked, “She came with good intentions and a mission, and soon after, Republicans branded her a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” He suggested that Spanberger has resorted to the “no oxygen” strategy from the 1990s, similar to tactics Biden used to avoid scrutiny during challenging times.
Biden has often been criticized for retreating from the public eye during contentious periods, with some labeling this as hiding in a “bunker.”
LaRosa emphasized that ignoring attacks and misrepresentation doesn’t make them disappear, but rather creates a vacuum which lets opponents define her. This situation has morphed from initial right-wing noise into a broader public perception, as observed in her performance metrics. He stressed the importance of Spanberger adopting a more assertive approach as the election period approaches.
He cited the need for her to face the media directly, suggesting she should engage with reporters regularly and provide interviews to mainstream outlets. LaRosa urged Spanberger to “emerge, communicate, and crawl out of the Biden bunker,” echoing a phrase Trump used in 2016 aimed at uncertain voters.
When approached for comments, Spanberger’s office had no immediate response, nor did Biden’s representatives.
Spanberger had previously rejected Allen’s invitation for an in-person debate regarding a proposed redistricting plan—which some are labeling gerrymandering—citing a busy agenda. Following her decline, Allen expressed willingness to accommodate her with a virtual debate option, allowing for more favorable conditions for her participation.
In a discussion on Richmond’s WRVA radio, Allen described the redistricting issue as a bit perplexing yet essential for public discourse.
Despite Spanberger’s efforts to consolidate Democratic power in Virginia, polls indicate she’s losing ground quickly, reminiscent of the dominance once held by the Byrd Organization under former Governor Harry F. Byrd. In just four months of her term, nearly half of Virginians—46%—disapprove of her performance, while 47% approve. For contrast, her predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, had a more favorable rating of 54-39 at the same point, and Democrat Mark Warner holds a staggering approval rating of 78-20.
Fox News Digital has made attempts to secure a comment from Spanberger.
