What’s the deal with Virginia Democrats? Considering all the potential scandals from the governor to the lieutenant governor to the attorney general, it’s valid to wonder who’s actually driving the bus there.
Politics
Let’s take an in-depth look at each of the Virginia Democrats and the distractions that have the Republican Party smelling blood and licking their chops.
Gov. Ralph Northam
STORY: As reported earlier this week on OK WASSUP!, Gov. Northam apologized last Friday for a photo discovered on his medical school yearbook page that shows a man in blackface and a man in a KKK robe and hood. However, only 36 hours later, the governor recanted his apology and claimed neither man in the photo was him. Then, in a weak attempt to help bolster the explanation that he is not a racist, Northam admitted that although he never posed in blackface in his yearbook, he did “darken his face” once to compete in a Michael Jackson dance contest back in 1984.
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RESULT: Prominent Democrats across the country aren’t buying the explanation and are saying one admission of blackface does not excuse the other. They are pressing Northam to resign.
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Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax
STORY: Being the only African-American among the Virginia Democrats, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax was celebrated earlier this week for what appeared would be a swift ascension to the governorship. Then, Vanessa Tyson happened.
According to Ms. Tyson, the then-25-year-old Fairfax assaulted her while they both attended the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. She has since released a statement saying, “what began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault.”
For his part, Fairfax has angrily denied the allegations. Although he admitted to a romantic encounter with Ms. Tyson, Fairfax is adamant that it was consensual and that perhaps Gov. Northam and his supporters might be behind a smear campaign to taint his image in the hopes of saving the governor.
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RESULT: Should Northam resign, Fairfax is legally next in line to assume the governorship. However, he too could step aside in light of the charges levied against him. National Democrats are treading lightly and investigating the story to see if the assault allegations are legitimate or, as Fairfax alleges, a carefully crafted smear campaign.
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State Attorney General Mark Herring
STORY: As 3rd in line to the governorship, Attorney General Mark Herring is also now the 3rd Virginia Democrat with a questionable past.
Realizing that dual scandals could push him directly to the front of the line to run the state, Herring decided to come clean and admit that he too has donned blackface.
“In 1980, when I was a 19-year-old undergraduate in college, some friends suggested we attend a party dressed like rappers we listened to at the time, like Kurtis Blow, and perform a song,” Herring said on Wednesday.
So, instead of sticking to the clothes and perhaps a few gold chains to depict the “costume” of a rapper, Herring and his friends chose to go the extra step and add shoe polish to their faces.
“It sounds ridiculous even now writing it. But because of our ignorance and glib attitudes — and because we did not have an appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others — we dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup,” Herring said. “This was a onetime occurrence and I accept full responsibility for my conduct.”
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RESULT: Although his admission was received as the right thing to do, Herring’s blackface past will also likely prevent him from ever leading the Commonwealth of Virginia. After all, if Northam eventually resigns from a blackface portrayal, Herring would automatically be disqualified too.
Politics
Out of all the Virginia Democrats in turmoil, only Lt. Governor Fairfax seems even remotely in position to come out on top from this — but not by much.
In the hopes of clearing his name and remaining in the running to lead the state, Fairfax has retained the same attorney who represented Brett Kavanaugh in his successful bid to become a US Supreme Court Justice. However, if all the dominos should tumble, there is one additional person left who could potentially assume the governor’s post: Republican Speaker of the House Kirk Cox. Finally, a viable solution, right? NOT SO FAST!
Cox only became Virginia House Speaker because Republican David Yancey won a state House seat in early 2018 after his name was picked out of a bowl. Yes, you read correctly! The race was tied, so legislators randomly chose a name out of a bowl and Yancey was it. If he had lost that drawing, the state House would have been split 50-50 and a Democrat would have likely been the House Speaker and now in line to become governor.
So, why is this important? Virginia Democrats are hell-bent on holding on to the Governor’s Mansion and are already whispering about contesting the bowl pick that could, in a wild series of events, affect who becomes the next Governor of Virginia.
Needless to say, this is all a big mess. Stay tuned, because this soap opera seems to be just getting started!
Yep. It’s just one big hot mess unfolding in Virginia….and all of it is inexcusable..smh!
But first let me say this: Pray tell, what the h*ll is southern white men’s fascination with wearing blackface?!
This is America for crying out loud where systemic white racism is…and always has been..rooted in “White supremacy.” And yet, white men have gleefully dressed up and donned BLACKface since circa 1830.* WHY?!
Yes, I know -the most common answer used to be -“it was just a form of entertainment.”
But frankly, I truly believe the practice of white men (AND now white women) embracing ANY excuse to DARKEN their skin- and doing it while having the audacity to view Us as “inferior”to them no less- is rooted in something much more “twisted” if you will.
Something deeper. And much more troubling…..For Them.