How is eventually giving VA a GOP Governor who supports a racist BETTER than Northam?

[uponit7771]

Question: How is eventually giving VA a GOP Governor who supports a racist BETTER than Northam?

I don't think it is ...

Starting to rethink Northams missteps ...

I do think he should've outed himself earlier instead of everyone blindsided by this

Also think Fairfax deserves an Ellison like investigation into the allegations against him

your take?

tia

[elleng]

1. It ISN'T in any way better.

His 'missteps' weren't good, but they were not criminal, and sadly due to Fairfax's apparent worse behavior, Northam should stay.

[bluestarone]

2. YEP

At least until an investigation is over!

[Fresh_Start]

3. Northam has 35 years of non-racist behavior

after the yearbook...
he has announced multiple programs which clearly help minority, voting rights, and people who are disadvantaged in Virginia and well as being on the right side of climate change and choice.

He is apparently a member of a Black Baptist church and his pastor and others in his church say let him prove himself.

I think he's been making amends in his actions for his earlier stupidity.
And I think its reasonable for the black lawmakers in his state to get his support for even more aggressive action on the behalf of minorities.

But he shouldn't step down.

[dalton99a]

4. +1.

[theboss]

5. Does he?

I'm serious, do we know this?

He was a Republican until 2007, I believe.

And his PR strategy is announcing that he's reading Roots.

[Fresh_Start]

6. I don't think all republicans are racists...maybe all trump republicans are racist

but other republicans are merely greedy selfish bastards

he went to a majority black high school and the news isn't filled with stories of his misdeeds in high school
his medical school roommate said he's never seen Northam act disrespectful

and unlike 90% of the people on DU who seem to remember the 80s are a period of perfect behavior with respect to racism, I well know that the US in the 80s was still extremely racist...most racists were 'casual' racists like language and gestures....but there was also extreme racism in employment, housing, ...and other venues

So while he was an idiot and his action was ugly and disrespectful, it was by no means rare behavior in the 80s. You only have to look at the same yearbook to see other disrespectful photos to know the truth of that.

I would guess though I don't have access to the yearbook that it also shows even worse racism, in the underrepresentation of minorities in the student body. But by all means, let us ponder the photo

As the most direct reflection of his change, he supported removing confederate monuments from public venues... and to me that is showing that he understands the harm of his own actions and the public monuments, so he has reformed with respect to that exact offense.

[GulfCoast66]

15. I was a republican. And racist. In my youth. Including college days.

I am now a member of the Democratic Party who is a strong supporter of civil rights. And a social democrat economically. Not to be confused with a Democratic Socialist!!

It would be hypocritical for me not to give others the benefit of the doubt.

[OnDoutside]

8. My gut feeling is that some piled in on him, when they thought that shifting Fairfax in there was

going to be a win-win for them. A real case of be careful what you wish for !

[Fresh_Start]

10. Absolutely, I honestly believe we wouldn't have found out about Fairfax

is they weren't hounding Northam out of office.

Tyson facebook post occurred because of Northam, she specifically states something about his undeserved promotion...the most recent person came out because of the attacks on Tyson.

And of course after condemning Northam, Herring has to admit to an equivalent behavior.

[OnDoutside]

12. Yes, there was a (perverse) inevitable logical sequence to it.

[Fresh_Start]

13. yes, there wasn't a lot to gain from outing Fairfax now...versus when Fairfax would

run for government in a few years time while Northam was governor.
But if Fairfax was going to succeed Northam due to resignation, then it was a gold opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Herring was purely cherry on top....

[UniteFightBack]

17. She was OK with him being Lt Gov though. nt

[Fresh_Start]

18. No she wasn't

she told her friends in Virginia in 2017.....because she didn't want them to vote for him.

So she wasn't okay with him being Lt Governor... remember what happened between 2017 and 2019? Blasey Ford survived public scrutiny. So of course its easier (but not easy) for her to go public in 2019.

And Blasey Ford didn't go public for Kavanaughs other positions in the court...it was only when it became the supreme court that she went public.

[uponit7771]

14. +1

[ooky]

7. I'm not sensing that Northam has any intention of stepping down.

If he did I think he would have already done it by now. He stood against the first wave and doesn't appear to have flinched. The news cycle on him is starting to die already as M$M has shifted all its drumbeat to Fairfax. For Northam, the shock period has already come and passed. I don't think the AG is going anywhere either.

Fairfax's issues are becoming more problematic. Not saying yet he'll step down, but it could get dicey, especially if criminal charges are filed. Who take's over for him if he is forced to step aside?

[OliverQ]

9. It's not, people are just being ridiculous and refusing to think practically.

No matter how bad what Northam did 35 years ago was, a Republican in his position would be far far worse. So think about how to transfer power to other Democrats before causing a Republican to take over.

[rogue emissary]

11. I don't think it's an eventuality.

There a way all three could step down and be replaced by Democrats.

Also, the governor only had two more years in his current position.

[UniteFightBack]

16. Northam needs to switch parties to Independent pronto. nt