Virginia megathread

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Congratulations Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax.

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Congratulations Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax.

I have since learned that this image comes from a what is basically a fake news outlet set up by Roy Moore. It's still possible that they just got lucky and were the first to find it, but I think it's a very real possibility that this is fake. I'm sure we'll find out soon.

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https://wtkr.com/2019/02/01/evms-yearbook-page-of-gov-northam-includes-blackface-klan-costumes/

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I think you can take "Unconfirmed" out of the thread title now.

This man's been elected state-wide twice and nobody found this? Jesus.
Coulda had Perriello.

Congratulations Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax.

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Ralph Northam shouldn't resign. That would validate all right-wing fake news sites on every matter to eternity. This is preposterous. They wouldn't resign if this was found.

Because yeah, people got half a yearbook page dedicated to them, especially in the early 80's.

I'll take "Stuff That Totally Happened" for $400, Alex.

Other sources have found this page in the yearbook. Unfortunately it looks like this is real.

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If it wasn't an election year then it'd be fine he should apologize and move on 'I made a mistake 20 years bla bla blah' but he needs to go because he will drag Dems down this year. We are one election cycle from controlling everything in VA and Northam can't be allowed to stop us.

He should obviously resign regardless.

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Ralph Northam shouldn't resign. That would validate all right-wing fake news sites on every matter to eternity. This is preposterous. They wouldn't resign if this was found.

Because yeah, people got half a yearbook page dedicated to them, especially in the early 80's.

I'll take "Stuff That Totally Happened" for $400, Alex.

Other sources have found this page in the yearbook. Unfortunately it looks like this is real.

So if this is real, then pretty soon, people will say X fake news site reported this, so the next thing they report must be real too. If they had sources on one thing, then that validates everything they do! This is the world we live in.

I don't think that's how this works. The people who can't handle making informed judgements about what they see on the internet aren't going to have their opinions changed by something like this.

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I've seen some confusion on this point, so I just want to confirm that yes, it looks like Fairfax should be able to run.

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So can Fairfax run in 2021 if Northam resigns? If so, fantastic!

Yeah, good on them for bringing it up, but releasing this might end up as a little bit of an own-goal.

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https://twitter.com/frankthorp/status/1091515074257346562

Warner and Kaine send out some weak non-condemnations. Very disappointing. Just ask for him to resign, it's what's gonna happen.

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He's hosting a press conference tomorrow morning. Seems likely he'll be resigning this time.

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Even if Northam was involved in the leak, accusing him of conspiring to deny Fairfax the governorship is not a good look. Doesn't really give him credibility points if he wants us to believe his story over the accuser's.

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I think Fairfax should resign, preferably after Northam. I was on the fence before, but his response has been atrocious and does not speak to his story's credibility.

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I think Fairfax should resign, preferably after Northam. I was on the fence before, but his response has been atrocious and does not speak to his story's credibility.

So he should get his name on the record book of governors of old Virginia, eh?

No, so he can appoint his successor.

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Not happy about this, but this response is much better than Northam's. Assuming he doesn't threaten to show reporters his Michael Jackson or claim that a victim was "very interested" in him in the next 48 hours, I think he can stay. Preempting any photos being released and being 19 instead of 25 also makes a big difference for me.

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Not happy about this, but this response is much better than Northam's. Assuming he doesn't threaten to show reporters his Michael Jackson or claim that a victim was "very interested" in him in the next 48 hours, I think he can stay. Preempting any photos being released and being 19 instead of 25 also makes a big difference for me.

Oh, that’s where you draw the line?  You were calling for Northam to resign as soon as the news broke about him.  Oh yeah...as long as there’s no picture...

Whatever you need to feel morally justified, honey.

Yes, because that picture was under his name in a yearbook and featured someone in a KKK hood. Degree matters. I also don't mean that there not being a picture helps his case, but that him choosing to come public without being forced to is evidence of growth.

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Not happy about this, but this response is much better than Northam's. Assuming he doesn't threaten to show reporters his Michael Jackson or claim that a victim was "very interested" in him in the next 48 hours, I think he can stay. Preempting any photos being released and being 19 instead of 25 also makes a big difference for me.

Oh, that’s where you draw the line?  You were calling for Northam to resign as soon as the news broke about him.  Oh yeah...as long as there’s no picture...

Whatever you need to feel morally justified, honey.

Yes, because that picture was under his name in a yearbook and featured someone in a KKK hood. Degree matters. I also don't mean that there not being a picture helps his case, but that him choosing to come public without being forced to is evidence of growth.

The only reason he came out was because he was scared that someone could obtain this information, so in order for him to look like he has a spine, he did this.

There is currently no evidence that the incident in question happened except Herring's word. Choosing to go public is evidence that you respect the consequences of your actions and have some semblance of legitimate concern for the people effected. It's completely possible that nothing would have ever come of this if he didn't say anything.

I also don't really understand claims of a political-motivated double standard here. It's looking like Northam's not going anywhere, so it's likely the succession issue will never matter. And even if it did, I would be completely comfortable with an new AG appointee ascending to the governorship. No Republican legislator is ever going to be promoted to governor of Virginia, and my opinions about who should and shouldn't resign isn't going to change that.

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Not happy about this, but this response is much better than Northam's. Assuming he doesn't threaten to show reporters his Michael Jackson or claim that a victim was "very interested" in him in the next 48 hours, I think he can stay. Preempting any photos being released and being 19 instead of 25 also makes a big difference for me.

Oh, that’s where you draw the line?  You were calling for Northam to resign as soon as the news broke about him.  Oh yeah...as long as there’s no picture...

Whatever you need to feel morally justified, honey.

Yes, because that picture was under his name in a yearbook and featured someone in a KKK hood. Degree matters. I also don't mean that there not being a picture helps his case, but that him choosing to come public without being forced to is evidence of growth.

Um...the gov is being called to resign for being in blackface at a party and the lt gov is potentially compromised.  Herring is next in line.  Pretty sure he felt forced to admit this.

There's a pretty big difference between a 19-year old dressing up as a rapper at a party and a med school grad posing as/with someone dressed as a KKK member for a photo they're putting in their yearbook.

So what?  Black face is never acceptable.  Stop trying to blur the lines of racism to save your own pride.

It's not acceptable, but it's not worth of resignation almost 40 years later. Northam's case was far worse because of the KKK element.

It really amazes me that you have this ultra nuanced understanding of racism and what is career-endangering and what isn’t...and it just so happens to fall right between making a rightful scapegoat sacrifice to save your moral highground and potentially letting a Republican take over.  How convenient and lucky for you!

None of them should resign (save Fairfax should his allegations become corroborated).  Having Republicans in control will be worse for black Virginians.

There is no threat of Kirk Cox becoming governor. If all three of them resigned, in any order, there would be plenty an opportunity to appoint a new AG who would wind up governor.

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Not happy about this, but this response is much better than Northam's. Assuming he doesn't threaten to show reporters his Michael Jackson or claim that a victim was "very interested" in him in the next 48 hours, I think he can stay. Preempting any photos being released and being 19 instead of 25 also makes a big difference for me.

Oh, that’s where you draw the line?  You were calling for Northam to resign as soon as the news broke about him.  Oh yeah...as long as there’s no picture...

Whatever you need to feel morally justified, honey.

Yes, because that picture was under his name in a yearbook and featured someone in a KKK hood. Degree matters. I also don't mean that there not being a picture helps his case, but that him choosing to come public without being forced to is evidence of growth.

Um...the gov is being called to resign for being in blackface at a party and the lt gov is potentially compromised.  Herring is next in line.  Pretty sure he felt forced to admit this.

There's a pretty big difference between a 19-year old dressing up as a rapper at a party and a med school grad posing as/with someone dressed as a KKK member for a photo they're putting in their yearbook.

So what?  Black face is never acceptable.  Stop trying to blur the lines of racism to save your own pride.

It's not acceptable, but it's not worth of resignation almost 40 years later. Northam's case was far worse because of the KKK element.

It really amazes me that you have this ultra nuanced understanding of racism and what is career-endangering and what isn’t...and it just so happens to fall right between making a rightful scapegoat sacrifice to save your moral highground and potentially letting a Republican take over.  How convenient and lucky for you!

None of them should resign (save Fairfax should his allegations become corroborated).  Having Republicans in control will be worse for black Virginians.

There is no threat of Kirk Cox becoming governor. If all three of them resigned, in any order, there would be plenty an opportunity to appoint a new AG who would wind up governor.

Nothing says political legitimacy and stability like the 3 top officeholders of a state resigning in quick succession and appointing their own replacements.  Regardless, it is the GOP HoD that appoints the new AG and whether the Gov can appoint the Lt Gov is dubious.  So time to pivot again, buddy.

Timmy is right.  It’s a sh**tshow and the people of Virginia get who they choose.

And you think the status quo communicates legitimacy? Someone like the Lieutenant AG becoming governor is an acceptable solution.

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3rd post of this thread makes me laugh every time.

Congratulations Governor of Virginia Justin Fairfax.

Yeah, if only things had been that easy... A lot of people were excited about a Fairfax governorship when the yearbook picture first dropped.