I really don’t get why Ralph Northam or his comms team thinks it helps him to communicate in public. Because it doesn’t. To the contrary, every time Northam talks to a reporter, there’s a serious risk – if not likelihood – that he’ll say something false, absurd, assinine, tone-deaf, clueless and/or racially insensitive (at the minimum).
For instance, see below for video of Northam talking to CBS’ Gayle King, and recounting how Virginia’s “now at the 400-year anniversary — just 90 miles from here in 1619 – the first indentured servants from Africa landed on our shores.”
Wait, what? Did I just hear that correctly? Seriously?!? “Indentured servants” from Africa? Fortunately, Gayle King quickly jumps in (thank goodness) and interjects, “Also known as slavery.” Exactly! WTF, Ralph?!? I thought you were “woke” now, having supposedly read “‘The Case for Reparations,’ an article in the Atlantic by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a few chapters of ‘Roots,’ by Alex Haley.'” Guess not!
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam: “We are now at the 400-year anniversary — just 90 miles from here in 1619. The first indentured servants from Africa landed on our shores in Old Point Comfort, what we call now Fort Monroe, and while—”@GayleKing: “Also known as slavery” pic.twitter.com/AiX96MU1rJ
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019
In other news, Northam cluelessly prattles on insufferably:
“Well again, we have worked very hard, we’ve had a good first year, and I’m a leader. I’ve been in some very difficult situations, life-and-death situations…” At that point, Gayle King jumps in again, explaining to the clueless Northam that that’s “because you’re a doctor!” Exactly. Also, what on earth does being a good pediatric neurologist have to do with being the governor or with having a clue – or in Ralph’s case, NOT having a clue – about Virginia’s history (and present) of racism???
But wait, Northam isn’t done prattling on: “Virginia needs someone that can heal. There’s no better person to do that than a doctor. Virginia also needs someone who is strong, who has empathy, who has courage and who has a moral compass. And that’s why I’m not going anywhere.” Blah blah blah. I swear, I listen to this guy and it feels like my IQ drops several points as brain cells are killed left and right. Again, why does Northam’s comms team think that putting him on TV or radio with a reporter is helpful in any way???
Gov. Ralph Northam tells @GayleKing: “Virginia needs someone that can heal. There’s no better person to do that than a doctor. Virginia also needs someone who is strong, who has empathy, who has courage and who has a moral compass. And that’s why I’m not going anywhere” pic.twitter.com/pHgxM7oGKh
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019
In other news, is Ralph Northam really at the point already where he feels comfortable commenting on OTHER PEOPLES’ issues with racist “blackface?”
Virginia Gov. Northam on whether the commonwealth’s Attorney General Mark Herring should resign over blackface scandal: “I regret that our attorney general is in this position. But this is a decision that he’s going to need to make” pic.twitter.com/6PbOOHdEdd
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019
As for taking Virginia to the “next level,” that’s basically a meaningless/trite cliche, but I will say one thing positive: IF Ralph Northam is serious about racial reconcilation, equity and justice, and IF he devotes himself wholeheartedly to these things during whatever time he remains governor, PERHAPS some good can come out of this nightmare. But I’m not holding my breath, personally, especially when he keeps making bizarre/clueless comments like this morning (or this one in the Washington Post, which his spokesperson – the far more talented communicator Ofirah Yheskel – had to correct, saying that Northam “misspoke and just meant San Antonio, where he did his residency.”)
Gov. Ralph Northam tells @GayleKing: “I have thought about resigning, but I’ve also thought about what Virginia needs right now. And I really think that I’m in a position where I can take Virginia to the next level” https://t.co/ba3PnylCag pic.twitter.com/T1R3g9Go8O
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019
And finally, Northam also weighs in on LG Justin Fairfax, saying that “If these accusations are determined to be true, I don’t think he’s going to have any other option but to resign.” No disagreement there, at least.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on sexual assault allegations against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax: “If these accusations are determined to be true, I don’t think he’s going to have any other option but to resign” https://t.co/ba3PnylCag pic.twitter.com/vsFRRr4aZw
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019
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