Big League Politics is the website that broke the story and published the photo that called out Ralph Northam as a racist. This diary is not about the Northam story in and of itself. My position is that Northam should resign and should have done so already. This is my opinion as a lifelong Democrat and twenty-year resident of Virginia. But again, this is not the story here.
This diary is about what BLP is up to in the larger picture, besides discrediting the Virginia Governor. In the past few days many pundits and news presenters have publically wondered why the photo and its story are only coming out now. Surely, they have posited, opposition research should have brought this out years ago. Could it have been timed to correspond with the abortion issues under debate? Was this to further weaken Northam, who was already beleaguered because of statements on subject of the late term abortion?
Now, basically a second shoe has dropped (or been thrown!) to reveal what BLP intends. BLP is out to remove and/or completely discredit both Governor Northam and Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax. The Speaker of the House of Delegates is a Republican, but in Virginia the Attorney General succeeds the Lt Governor as next in line for the Governorship. Our Attorney General is Mark Herring, a Democrat.
Late Sunday, BLP began what is clearly the second phase of their attempt to discredit the Democratic leadership in Virginia. Big League Politics has revived a old, discredited charge of sexual assault against Lt Governor Justin Fairfax. I am not going to spread information about the accusations here. I do want to share that the Washington Post previously investigated the allegations and did not judge them to be credible and refused to print the story.
Facts:
Big League Politics broke the photo story regarding Northam on Friday.
Big League Politics is a self described non-partisan “journalism” website. However, BLP is a right wing site associated with Breitbart; it was founded by former Breitbart employees.
The Northam photo and underlying story clearly have a basis in fact, and the story that the photo tells on Northam’s medical school yearbook page is not untrue. However, much questioning has been made in the past few days as to why this photo and this story came out just now.
Northam came close to resigning on Saturday, but instead he “dug in.” An overwhelming “chorus of Democrats” have called for Northam’s immediate resignation.
Late Sunday, BLP started to introduce a story of sexual assault allegations from 2004 against Fairfax. I wonder if BLP had hoped to sit on the sexual assault allegations until after a Northam resignation? Certainly there was a one two punch planned here.
The Washington Post was previously made aware of the 2004 allegations against Fairfax, researched them, and regarded them as unfounded/not credible.
There is more to add on this subject, but it’s time to get the basic information out there. Clearly, BLP is determined to undermine the Democratic Party in VA. I hope the result is a tremendous backlash against the far right at the polls in VA this November.
Update: In an earlier edition of this diary, I incorrectly referenced the Speaker of the House of Delegates as the one who would succeed the Lt Governor as next in line to lead the state. Hat tip to Tardisgirl and Charliehall2 who corrected my misinformation. In Virginia the AG succeeds the Lt Governor.
I have had difficulty responding to questions or comments and in keeping up with events to add updates, since my internet service, Cable service, and land line phone died shortly after my diary was posted. Thanks, Comcast. My iPhone is not a great hot spot, but it’s the best I have right now.