Must be dinner time. Democrats are eating their own again.

[NRaleighLiberal]

Not excusing any errors of the past, but.. we really do occasionally act as our own worst enemy.

Yet...leave Manchin alone because our values don't count in WV.

Politics in this country is broken.

[LisaL]

1. Eating their own is something Democrats do really well.

[COLGATE4]

69. Unfortunately!

[manor321]

3. LOL. No. He should clearly resign. He was 25 at the time, not a teenager or a child.

This wasn't from the 1950's.

[LBM20]

5. My god. It was 35 VERY LONG YEARS AGO, & it doesn't and SHOULDN'T define the man TODAY.

Yes, it was a DUMB and WRONG thing to do. VERY WRONG. But SO long ago. EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, has done something dumb in the past. Said things, done things that were DUMB and WRONG and IGNORANT.

ALL of us.

Enough of this condemning people for something stupid from LONG ago.

[Codeine]

59. It wasn't "dumb", it was hateful. Deliberately so.

Stop minimizing egregious shit like this. If he had been sporting SS regalia and making Holocaust jokes we wouldn’t be trying to explain it away, would we?

Fuck, people. Some things are sufficiently beyond the goddamned pale that a shrug of the shoulders and an apology aren’t going to cover it. A grown-ass man pulling a stunt like that in the mid-80s and we’re supposed to act like it doesn’t matter?

[ChubbyStar]

61. BINGO

The man has to resign. I don't care if it was 1984, 1964, or 1928. His behavior then was reprehensible. And it is reprehensible today.

[delisen]

64. The only solution is to fully integrate the entire country. I think the lack of diversity

neighborhoods, entire states, and institutions is a real problem.

I think we need to call upon states such as Minnesota and Vermont to become proactive in diversifying their populations.

We need to end the race and class divisions in all our institutions. Possibly the college that published Northam's picture should be shut down.

[OliverQ]

8. It was also 35 years ago and he didn't commit any crimes

and hasn't displayed that he's still a racist.

[Desert grandma]

10. I do not agree with you.

Who has not done something in their past that they regret?? It is the PRESENT and FUTURE that are important. Wow! We never learn. Focus on where these folks are NOW in their thinking and judge them by their present actions. Otherwise Republicans will use every opportunity to use some dumb thing some Democrat said or did in the past to turn us against each other.

[Desert grandma]

4. I so agree with you!

Republicans know this and use it to their advantage. I hope he does not resign. I am tired of Democrats beating up on other Dems for political advantage for dumb things done in jest. Republicans do not do this. So I say, "Stop already!"

[KayF]

6. the Sec of State of Florida just resigned

for a photo that surfaced of him in blackface. That happened a week ago.

[LBM20]

9. But that behavior was so much more recent.

[OliverQ]

11. Yeah, he did blackface in 2018. Not 35 years ago.

We also know it's extremely rare for Republicans to ever resign over something like that. Usually they get promoted.

[cyclonefence]

7. If you're referring to Gov. Northam

I respectfully disagree. This was no high school kid, and he is an experienced adult now. He should have known this was going to emerge eventually, and he should have been in front of it before he ran. Hell, just being aware of his own history of racism should have been something he was concerned about long ago, and it's way past time for him to try to explain or apologize. Blackface and "Coonman" are not reflective of Democratic values, and if he doesn't understand that, he's not much of a Democrat.

Manchin = whataboutism

[LBM20]

12. Oh heck, it was 35 LONG years ago. Please. DUMB and WRONG but SO long ago. We don't crucify people

for a dumb mistake from SO long ago.

[cyclonefence]

13. If you are not a person of color

you don't get to decide how offensive this was.

[jrthin]

38. Thank you.

[Jake Stern]

14. Guarantee the GOP is already scouring for something to pin on Fairfax

An off-color joke to a subordinate or some college frat brothers to testify that Fairfax used sexist language or a disgruntled ex to spill the beans.

They've found their silver bullet and they sure love to use it.

[Bettie]

34. It works every time

even an anonymous accuser saying he touched her waist at a photo op can make him resign.

[Autumn]

15. 35 years ago, he has apologized. No one gets through this life without doing

something stupid in their life. People need to look at what he has done since he has been in politics.

[NRaleighLiberal]

16. We are allowing our party to be manipulated to having no

Adequate candidates...an impossible purity test. The irony is that repubs end up winning with moral garbage. They play the game for keeps.

[Autumn]

18. If it was a Republican governor the GOP would close ranks and support him.

His apology seemed sincere.

[Dawson Leery]

30. That GOP Governor would still be an open bigot today.

Northam is a true progressive.

[appalachiablue]

39. Amen

Let perfect be the enemy of good at times, rotten

[KayF]

17. I can't even conceive of the Democrats rallying around him

what would that look like? Take the dem presidential candidates, which ones might stand up for Northam? If some did, how long would they last? Would the Democratic primary become a debate about the pros and cons of blackface and KKK costumes?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. We really do love to eat our own. It's monumentally fucked up.

No one is without fault. No one is perfect.

I find this incredibly frustrating. The Republicans really know how to divide us, and their tactics help them beat us.

It's insanity.

[NRaleighLiberal]

21. Can I share that banging wall with you?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. You sure can, anytime! Plenty of room here.

[Bettie]

35. You'll run out of space on that wall soon enough

there are plenty of us at the head banging stage.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. I hear you, my dear Bettie...

[mr_lebowski]

60. Is there more room?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. Absolutely!

[COLGATE4]

70. Me too.

[Honeycombe8]

37. If there is nothing else like this in his past, I would forgive him. He was young - 25.

At med school. Parties, women.

God, I shudder when I think about my party days. I'm glad there are no photos (that I know of).

The people of Virginia should decide. Who takes his place? If he's ousted, does his opponent take office? I hope not!

[Codeine]

68. "Our own" should not include his ilk. nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

20. So, we are the party of perfection. No mistakes, no learning,

No evolving, no forgiveness.

Sad.

[Jake Stern]

43. No Ted Kennedy, No Robert Byrd

Ted Kennedy contributed to the death of someone.

Robert Byrd didn't just dress up like a Klansman - he really WAS a Klansman.

Yet both of them managed to move beyond their past to become beloved Democratic leaders.

This is going to kill us.

[delisen]

67. Obviously any honors bestowed on Ted Kennedy should be recalled. JFK was a womanizer

and we need to acknowledge dishonorable behavior.

While I am being sarcastic, maybe it is actually better to be completely evenhanded on these matters.

[OBrien]

23. I live in the South

How the fuck can you except to get votes down here past mistakes aren’t forgiven?? It was insensitive yes!!!! But FFS it was 35 yrs ago!

[babylonsister]

24. Wow.

[NRaleighLiberal]

25. You rang???

Feeling frustrated and feisty tonight...

[democratisphere]

26. Demnivorous.

Who will be devoured next?!

[NRaleighLiberal]

27. I like that...must remember.

[marlakay]

28. When i first heard about this I didn't

Know if governor was D or R, I told my husband if he’s a republican he will stay in office if its a dem they will chase him out.

And sure enough.....

[Snackshack]

29. Agreed.

[elfin]

31. That is our superpower.

Waiting for the shakeout and hope it happens soon. My most likely hopeless final ticket is either Biden or Inslee with Klobuchar as VP.

Still mourn a bit over losing Bill Bradley so many years ago. He would have been fantastic.

And yes, I am a geezer.

[Baltimike]

32. Good points. nt

[fountainofyouth]

33. Northam may be one of "your own," but he is not one of mine

How can we possibly be doing our party favors by claiming a man in blackface as "our own"?

[Codeine]

66. +1

and well said.

[delisen]

71. We claim Vermont as a state despite the fact it allowed racism to drive its African

American legislator out of office, has not even made any apology, and had not been proactive in diversifying its population.

I think Rev. barber is right. it is the institutional racism that is the larger problem. I think the attacks on individuals is a substitute for not addressing the institutional racism.

[yaesu]

40. If he resigns the Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax will take his place

an African-American 39-year-old Democrat who is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act, prison reform, tighter gun control, campaign donation limits, and increased taxes for infrastructure. Justin Fairfax could also run for Governor at the end of his term, bucking the one term law. Its totally up to the Gov whether to resign or not, I hope he makes the choice that is best for his state and party.

[Volaris]

41. You know, maybe we would be well-served in this instance by adopting the usual republican stance...

Keep our collective mouths shut, and let the electorate of his state make the decision on what happens to him.

I'm tired of only playing by their rules when it works in THEIR favor.

[UniteFightBack]

42. Sorry but his own lack of convincing damage control here certainly didn't do him any

favors. I could of written a better I'm sorry speech....really.

[UTUSN]

44. K&R

[Hassler]

45. Meanwhile, Repug Senator Hawley continues to vote creep judges to lifetime appointments

Maybe if he'd worn black face while BREAKING THE LAW, our presidential candidates would be calling for him to resign.

[angrychair]

46. Yes a mistake but leaders have to lead

He has an excellent Lt Governor that is a good Democrat and has popular support that can take the mantle of support without a cloud of doubt around them.

[DirtEdonE]

47. They've been trying their best here in New Jersey

And now, Governor Murphy, who has been under attack for a case he had zero personal involvement in, is calling for another Democratic governor's resignation over a year book photo while traitors and serial blackout drunk sex abusers sit in the Oval Office and on the Supreme Court!
When are Democrats going to start demanding the same from the pubicans who never resign under any circumstances?
The very thought of Kirsten Gillibrand on the ticket makes me wretch after what she did to Al Franken. Where is Kirsten now? Why didn't she stop kavanaugh? How can she sit still while trump is in the White House.
Oh, but again, for a few photos, Al Franken had to go IMMEDIATELY!
What a joke. When are Democrats going to wake up and smell the coffee? This is war. They're winning because they fight dirty while we worry about playing fair.

[Chakaconcarne]

48. come on...if it were a Republican

you'd be all over their shit....

[iluvtennis]

49. Don't care if it's been 35 years ago - hate is hate. KKK hoods and blackface are symbols

of racism against black ppl. It's unacceptable behavior. Just like it was unacceptable for Kavanaugh to drink and sexually assault girls.

Don't care what their party affiliation is - wrong is WRONG.

[Dem2theMax]

51. Exactly. We Are Better Than This.

We would not accept this from Republicans. We sure as hell shouldn't accept it from our own party.

[LBM20]

53. So crucify someone for their entire life over a dumb mistake decades ago? Not right.

[Codeine]

65. Not wanting to be represented by a person

who (as a grown adult, mind you) displayed such an egregious combination of bigotry, callousness, and poor judgement hardly qualifies as crucifixtion. He will be fine in the private sector.

[Owl]

50. Agreed.

[myohmy2]

52. we need...

...Dems in office...isn't WV a one-term governor state?

...if he resigns, would a Dem replace him?

...if not, I'd condemn him but not encourage him to resign...

...no matter how offensive he was, a puke will be much more offensive...

...

[iluvtennis]

54. The Lt Gov would replace him and the Lt Gov is a Dem.

[myohmy2]

58. thank you...

...now I'm conflicted...

...if the Lt Gov shared similar views and abilities as Manchin, give Manchin the boot...

...

[iluvtennis]

55. Preet Bharara says "Be Gone"

Link to tweet

[iluvtennis]

57. Rev Dr Barber: Yes, the photo of Gov Northam is a form of racism that's ugly & grotesque, BUT...

RevDrBarber, 32m32 minutes ago
More
Yes, the photo of Gov Northam is a form of racism that’s ugly & grotesque. But the worst racism is policy & structural racism.

Link to tweet

[delisen]

62. Afraid so.

[backtoblue]

72. K&R nt