Talk Elections

https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/02/07/governor-ralph-northam-virginia-poll (https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/02/07/governor-ralph-northam-virginia-poll)

https://www.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c58c81de4b09293b2077b05 (https://www.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c58c81de4b09293b2077b05)

According to the first poll, Democrats want Northam to resign by a 2-to-1 margin. A slim plurality of Republicans want him to stay.

The second poll finds that 41% of Democrats find the blackface disqualifying compared to only 19% of Republicans.

At least they're consistent...I don't think that necessarily means that they support him though. Remember that he's trying to pass an abortion bill. They just don't want him to resign so that they or their elected officials don't have to be held to the same standard.

Not a surprise.

That's because most Republicans have gone blackface before.

At least this Republican believes that, when God forgives any sin, society should too.  I don't know if Northam has made this sin right with the Lord or not, but I believe he has moved past this.  In general, I don't care what someone did decades ago (this goes for Northam, but also Roy Moore and Brett Kavanaugh), but only about who the person is today (that's where Northam fails in my opinion).

I wonder if any current US Senator has blackface issues.

My issue about Moore and Kavanaugh is that they are unrepentant.

I'm amazed that I have found myself taking up for Northam.  I've never liked him.  But I would people here who wish to drive him from office to cite any racist actions taken by Northam in his public life.  Indeed, I would like someone to point out any other incidents of Northam demonstrating racism, other than the "blackface" incident (which was tasteless, but I see no evidence of it being done in the spirit of, say, Cindy Hyde-Smith). 

But isnt Northram's highly incredulous denial about have done this a sign of non-repentance.

Surprise! Republicans support the Klan!

The Republicans have done blackface and the Democrats have issues with it :P

That's the reason they didn't expose the issue in 2017: Fear their voters switch over.

(Just kidding)

Is this your criminal justice policy as well?

Sin =/= crime

I endorsed him and campaigned for him in 2017 over Perriello and I will never back off that. Northam has my support forever.

The Democrats in Virginia have shot themselves 3x in their knees.

Of course Republicans are supporting Northam now and want him to remain in office. He's their best guy for 2020 and makes a Trump victory in VA more likely.

I think Northam should stay as he did nothing wrong where as Fairfax raped a young woman years ago so Fairfax should resign.

Even in a society such as ours, there is notable overlap. No one is obliged to forgive murder because a man has made himself right with God. It may be beneficial to themselves to do so, but that's a distinct issue.

     I question that forgiving murder implies nonpunishment. I can forgive in that I let go the malice I bear towards a murderer for the misdeed, but also recognize that the just and proportionate punishment of the criminal is necessary for the good of society.

He has handled the situation horribly and I understand people wanting him to resign. However, someone being racist at age 25 is in no way disqualifying for them to hold office at age 60, so I'm relieved that the number of Democrats who say it's disqualifying is below 50%.

This.

Handling himself as bad as he did is in itself inexcusable to remain in office. At least Mark Herring apologized for it and hoped to get better, more PR-equipped Northam denied what was already damning evidence.