Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Divisive Myths to Bash Ralph Northam and Democrats in VA
Myth #1. He's moderate or conservative because he voted for George W Bush twice.Here's what Northam said:
Northam’s full statement on his votes for Bush:
Ever since I first ran for public office, I have fought for my values: commonsense gun reforms, protecting our environment, defending women’s access to reproductive health care, fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community, and economic opportunity for all Virginians.
At the time, I didn’t pay much attention to politics. Knowing what I know now, I was wrong and would have voted differently. I became politically engaged after becoming fed up with insurance companies affecting my patients and learning my Republican senator said a child with disabilities was possessed by “demons,” which deeply offended me as a father and a doctor.
So, I decided to run for office on the issues I cared about: fixing our healthcare system and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. I stood up for implementing commonsense gun reforms, ensuring the LGBT community was given equal rights, and defending women’s access to reproductive health care.
If there is a lesson Democrats should take away from 2016, it’s that voters sometimes vote against their values. Usually, they are doing it because they aren’t aware that they actually share the same values as the Democratic party. As someone who made that realization when I became engaged, there is no better person to reach these people than me.
Ever since I first ran for public office, I have fought for my values: commonsense gun reforms, protecting our environment, defending women’s access to reproductive health care, fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community, and economic opportunity for all Virginians.
At the time, I didn’t pay much attention to politics. Knowing what I know now, I was wrong and would have voted differently. I became politically engaged after becoming fed up with insurance companies affecting my patients and learning my Republican senator said a child with disabilities was possessed by “demons,” which deeply offended me as a father and a doctor.
So, I decided to run for office on the issues I cared about: fixing our healthcare system and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. I stood up for implementing commonsense gun reforms, ensuring the LGBT community was given equal rights, and defending women’s access to reproductive health care.
If there is a lesson Democrats should take away from 2016, it’s that voters sometimes vote against their values. Usually, they are doing it because they aren’t aware that they actually share the same values as the Democratic party. As someone who made that realization when I became engaged, there is no better person to reach these people than me.
Still not convinced? Consider this: We only know he voted for Bush because he told us. His vote was secret and no one would know. Northam told us the truth even though the truth could have hurt his campaign.
Myth #2. Tom Perriello was more liberal and fought "tooth and nail" for Northam
Tom Perriello wasn't bashed by Bernie haters. Sanders didn't have much support in VA. Most Virginians like Perriello, but he doesn't have as good as a track record in statewide elections and didn't get much support in the primary. Northam is completing a term as Lt Gov and has much better name recognition in the Democratic strongholds (No VA, the Exburbs, Norfolk, Newport news, and Richmond).
Perriello was a help during the campaign, much like Obama and Biden, but "fighting tooth and nail"? He appeared at a couple of events and recorded a robo-call in his district. Hardly, tooth and nail.
Btw nothing Perriello's record shows he is more liberal that Northam. Perriello is weak on women's health issues, abortion, and guns. Both have a mixed record on Democratic issues. Sanders' support was more of a contrarian, "there must be something wrong with elected officials" than anything the candidate's records show.
Myth #3. Northam attempted to distance himself from African American LT Gov Justin Fairfax
It is untrue that Justin Fairfax's "face disappeared from Northam campaign literature the moment it looked like white voters were slipping away."
About 6 weeks before election day, an environmental group paid for a mailing, but only supported Northam and Herring since Fairfax didn't take a position on their issue (I forget whether it was offshore drilling or the NG pipeline). GOP ratfucker Michael Steele and Bierbart attempted to use this issue to strip off black voters from Northam and depress turnout. Fairfax ran on and didn't care about the issue. Fairfax's face and name appeared on all party literature that I saw and they had joint appearances all over the state including rural areas. The extremely likable Fairfax, at age 38, is a rising star. He'll be governor one day.
Myth #4. Northam is against sanctuary cities
Ralph Northam cast the deciding vote in favor of sanctuary cities that let illegal immigrants who commit crimes back on the street,” the narrator says.
But the claim, which suggests Northam cast a vote allowing for the establishment of so-called sanctuary cities, does not provide the complicated context behind the vote.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly considered legislation in February to ban sanctuary cities, or localities that refuse to help detain and deport people who are in the country illegally.
Northam, the lieutenant governor, presides over the 40-member state Senate, and only votes when there’s a tie.
Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment (R-James City) initially voted against the ban. It was an odd move for the GOP leader to break from his party, but it set up a tie forcing Northam to go on record on a contentious issue.
Northam voted against the bill, and Gillespie’s campaign promptly put out a statement condemning him for it.
The bill came for another vote, and passed with Norment’s support. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) vetoed the legislation.
Asked if he deliberately voted against the bill to force a vote from Northam, Norment walked away from reporters.
Complicating matters further: Virginia technically doesn’t have sanctuary cities.
Northam, the lieutenant governor, presides over the 40-member state Senate, and only votes when there’s a tie.
Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment (R-James City) initially voted against the ban. It was an odd move for the GOP leader to break from his party, but it set up a tie forcing Northam to go on record on a contentious issue.
Northam voted against the bill, and Gillespie’s campaign promptly put out a statement condemning him for it.
The bill came for another vote, and passed with Norment’s support. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) vetoed the legislation.
Asked if he deliberately voted against the bill to force a vote from Northam, Norment walked away from reporters.
Complicating matters further: Virginia technically doesn’t have sanctuary cities.
Here's a synopsis of how the issue went:
Sanctuary cities (of which there are none in Virginia) are cities where the local police force does not pester residents about immigration or residency status.
The GOP is pretending that Sanctuary City means that law enforcement won't arrest or process warrants for criminals accused of actual crimes because they are in a Sanctuary City.
If a warrant came out for someone accused of assault in a Sanctuary City, that person would still be sought out by local law enforcement and arrested.
Sanctuary cities only provide a respite for people who have overstayed work or tourist visas or who snuck into the country, as long as they are law abiding.
This "outrage" is a mental exercise attempting to damage Northam with the Latino community. In reality Northam enjoyed a lot of support from Latinos. Contrast with Gillespie who treated Latinos like murderous animals.
Myth #5. Democratic Socialists won the day.
Despite some last minute ratfucking by Democracy for America (DFA) a group started by Howard Dean who resigned when they attacked Northam, Democrats won big. Yes, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist won, but he appeared on the ballot as a Democrat. Yes, local candidates didn't receive much money from the national democratic groups, but that is the case in every local election. You must be able to raise a certain threshold to prove your worth. Some candidates can do this, but other candidates, replace cash with grassroots action and knock on a lot of doors. This grassroots paid off and it is disingenuous for outside groups to claim victory for other's hard work.
Conclusion, Northam is a decent, honest candidate. He is progressive and has the best interests of Virginians in mind. The Democrats enjoyed a good election and made some unexpected gains in the House of Delegates thanks to awesome candidates, grass root organizing on the local level, and the public's general dissatisfaction with all things Trumpy. We won because we talked about the our issues and the values that are important to us. The GOP lost because they spent their time parroting Trump, talking about how Danica Roam goes to the bathroom, and treating Latinos like dangerous animals.
Bring on 2018, it will be our year if we can avoid the clowns who want to divide us and GOTV.
79 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'll change the title to divisive myths to avoid the
poutrage.
Expect more anyway.
poutrage.
No idea, but there is a clear attempt to divide.
I have a good idea, but for obvious reasons... it's probably best that I don't elaborate.
PS: Thanks for posting this. It's important to keep a bright light focused on these things.
HRC's name is highlighted! And there is a check mark next to it! It's not fair! 
In the 2nd, all of HA(w) Goodman's defenders are ppr'ed or no longer posting.
That has to be Russian troll farms or GOP opposition research. That can't just be the seriously deluded.
Now there is one supporting him too.
I suppose it's a matter of perspective as always.
You did strike my funny-bone though with that one. 
As is usual, things are never as "bad" or as "good" as they seem. Real life can be kind of messy.
even knowing Moore is a pedophile. 
This was a guy who convicted the murderer who blew up the four little girls in Birmingham, and they cynically try to pretend he's racist simply because they hate the party.
It is just a typed version of "I know you are, but what am I" or in this case: I'm not divisive, you're divisive!
Or as Trumpy would say:
“No puppet. No Puppet,” said Trump, shaking his head.
“It’s pretty clear...,” Clinton continued, as Trump interrupted: “You’re the puppet!
“It’s pretty clear...,” Clinton continued, as Trump interrupted: “You’re the puppet!
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-internet-cant-get-over-donald-trumps-response-to-being-called-a-puppet/
