The Democratic Party needs to send two messages.

[flotsam]

1. The Governor of Virginia was chosen by the voters of Virginia. He has been accused of a crime which he denies. Neither the party nor any individual member should make public comments until he is cleared or criminally charged. There should be no calls for resignation prior to a full and fair investigation.

2. Trump has engaged in unfair attacks and distortions against Elizabeth Warren, a possible presidential candidate. Unless he immediately ceases the Democratic Party will engage a PR firm to publicize Trumps history of deliberately lying and claiming Swedish ancestry which the family started after WW2 when his Klansman father wanted to hide their' familiy's German heritage from possible Jewish real estate clients. Since he loves the nickname "Pocahontas" they should work to provide the president with one such as "Sven the Swede" or "Olaf the Orange".

In short we maintain the high ground but without hysterics. If a Democrat is accused of wrongdoing we investigate and if guilty of a crime we throw them out. But the lynching should die here. Imagine a party that tosses away a candidate of Warren's caliber because the president called her names and they lack the balls and decency to stand up for her. Fight clean people but fucking fight!

[ooky]

1. Its actually the Lt. gov. accused of a crime. He clearly denies. nt

[flotsam]

4. Correct...

But the message stands. We need to treat every one of our politicians as if they worked a lifetime to get that job because most did. We will always have our share of crooks and fuckups but we must be both the party of due process for all and sure and certain punishment for those in the wrong.

[Yonnie3]

2. What "crime" has the Governor been accused of?

He has admitted to racially insensitive actions. IMO There is no basis in law to charge Governor Northam with a crime.

[theboss]

3. What you are asking for in 1 is impossible. Of course, he won't be charged.

What you are asking for in 2 is just weird.

Do you really think anyone is going to change their feelings on Trump because he once claimed to be a Swede?

Here's a better idea. Give me the money you would use for the PR firm and just give it to me. I'm telling you how I would spend it, but I promise you I would spend it better.

[flotsam]

5. Actually the purpose of the PR firm

is to educate people that Trump is usually guilty of whatever he accuses others of-in this case deliberate lying vs repeating a family tale.

[theboss]

7. And this is going to shock who exactly?

Everything with Trump is baked in. I like to believe that more people hate him and than love him so hopefully if we both turn out our full numbers, we win.

Seriously, thinking that you can find the magic bullet of Trump being disgusting that is going to dramatically change his numbers is insane.

The only thing that may detach him from his base is the economy completely tanking. And even then, they'll blame Pelosi.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. We need a P R firm to convince the unconvinced Trump is a horrible person.

If they aren't convinced by now they never will be.

[Desert grandma]

6. Well said!

There has been no crime. There has been no investigation of the truth of the matter. Only some right wing posting of this photo. Governor, by the way, denies he is the person in this photo. I read that he admitted to dressing up as Michael Jackson for some college party. So we crucify a candidate who is dong good things for his state because some right wing accusation? I hope not.

[jmowreader]

9. "Being a racist asshole twenty years ago"...

...while repugnant, is not a crime.

As for Trump, calling Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas is not a crime but money laundering, election tampering and squatting are all crimes.