In a sign of how potent a force Mr. Obama remains with African-Americans, and the degree to which he could have upended the race, Mr. Northam telephoned former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to ensure the former president’s neutrality, according to three Democrats briefed on the call who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Acknowledging the conversation, Mr. Northam said he told Mr. Holder, a close friend of the former president, that he had been the second elected official in Virginia (after then-Gov. Tim Kaine) to endorse Mr. Obama in the run-up to the 2008 primary.
“I just reminded Attorney General Holder that I had been very loyal, as has my wife, too, to President Obama,” Mr. Northam said. “That message got back to him.”
OK, that is false in just about every way.
- Northam wasn’t even elected until November 2007 and wasn’t sworn in as a State Senator (e.g., an “elected official in Virginia”) until early January 2008.
- A number of Virginia Democratic elected officials had endorsed Barack Obama by that point. For instance, see Rep. Scott endorses Barack Obama for president (December 21, 2007) and also this list of Obama endorsements (note how many elected Virginia Democrats had endorsed Barack Obama by the time Ralph Northam did on February 4, 2008). Also see Doug Wilder Endorses Barack Obama (January 5, 2008). Also see here for Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Delegate Dwight Jones endorsing Obama in May 2007.
- See below for a full list of Virginia elected endorsers of Barack Obama in 2008, and the date they endorsed him. Note where Ralph Northam ranks in there (hint: not second).
- State Senator Janet D. Howell (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator A. Donald McEachin (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator Mark Herring (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator Henry Marsh (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator Ralph Northam (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator John S. Edwards (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- State Senator Mamie Locke (D) (Feb. 4, 2008)
- Delegate James M. Scott (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Vivian E. Watts (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Onzlee Ware (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Kristen J. Amundson (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Kenneth Cooper Alexander (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Robert H. Brink (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Dwight Clinton Jones (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate David L. Englin (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Mark D. Sickles (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Shannon R. Valentine (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Kenneth R. Plum (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Dave W. Marsden (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Kenneth R. Melvin (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Paul F. Nichols (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Delegate Robert D. Hull (D) (Jan. 31, 2008)
- Former Governor L. Douglas Wilder (D)
- Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D)
- Governor Timothy M. Kaine (D)
- County Board Member Jay Fisette (D)
Simply astounding that Ralph Northam would claim this…
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