WaPo Pens Editorial Calling For Northam Resignation: ‘He Must Go’

RICHMOND, VA - FEBRUARY 02: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks with reporters at a press conference at the Governor's mansion on February 2, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. Northam denies allegations that he is pictu... RICHMOND, VA - FEBRUARY 02: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks with reporters at a press conference at the Governor's mansion on February 2, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. Northam denies allegations that he is pictured in a yearbook photo wearing racist attire. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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The Washington Post’s editorial board has joined top Democratic leaders in calling for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s resignation: “He must go,” the editorial board wrote in a Thursday column.

“It’s reasonable to guess that other revelations elsewhere, about other public figures with their own histories or photos of offensive, insensitive or racist conduct, may surface in coming days,” they wrote. “Each should be judged on its own set of circumstances. In the case of Mr. Northam, the circumstances are decisive; what’s done cannot be undone. He must go.”

The newspaper called Northam’s handling of the controversy “artless” and “tone-deaf,” and said he has a “manifest inability at this point to be an effective governor.”

Read the editorial here. 

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Notable Replies

  1. Did they suggest who should be Governor instead? This is not something that’s happening in isolation.

  2. Who cares? Obviously, you haven’t been reading the comments. Anyone, no matter what or who, if they ever put on blackface, they should be drummed out of office. No exceptions. No time limits. If we end up losing the House, governors and state Democrats, who cares? It’s the purity and outrage that matters. Amirite?

  3. Sounds about right. The perfect has become the enemy of the good. We won’t stop until we find Gov. Unicorn.

  4. Here are some heterodox thoughts on the matter. Questions I have which in no way should be construed to indicate what I personally believe in this matter, but that I think need to be considered and discussed:

    1. Shouldn’t whether or not Ralph Northam stays in office be up to Ralph Northam and the voters of Virginia to decide? I haven’t seen any reporting that indicates he violated any law, and it shouldn’t matter whether or not we approve of, condone, accept or excuse what he did.

    2. Don’t we have a system and a process that should be allowed to work, irrespective of what some people believe is in the best interest of the Party? In the case of crimes being committed that process is through indictments and trials or through impeachment. In all other cases the ballot box should be where this is adjudicated, should Northam choose not to leave voluntarily.

    Please discuss.

  5. Avatar for jinnj jinnj says:

    Northam has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory … he was in a difficult situation - but one that he appeared to be potentially able to survive … there were people who were willing to listen to his contrition and regret for being ignorant and immature 35+ years ago … and if he displayed remorse … hold back on total condemnation … but then…? … from a crisis Management standpoint this is a case study in stupidity by Northam.

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