Gov. Northam's response to this mess utterly disqualifies him from higher office.

[Drunken Irishman]

It's irrelevant how the yearbook photo was found - what is relevant is Northam's response and the overall narrative he has established since the unearthing of the page.

The fact is, his press conference was insulting, pathetic and one of a man who is only irked over the fact he was caught - not that he did anything wrong in the first place. His insistence on dismissing the accusations, despite copping to being in the photo, before backtracking, doesn't indicate to me he's truly sorry for the irreparable harm he may have inflicted on the state and a large racial community who made his election possible. His excuse making, and silly explanations, tells me there's probably more photos - or a video - out there of him in blackface. This isn't necessarily an isolated moment.

Instead of admitting fault, begging for forgiveness and promising to be a better leader, and person, Northam turned this moment into an even bigger spectacle and has lost any integrity he may have had at the start of this whole episode.

I am all for giving people second chances. Northam had his second chance yesterday morning and completely blew it.

[EffieBlack]

1. Yup

[brush]

10. It disqualifies him for his current office. He couldn't have...

botched that press conference any worst. He basically said I take back what I said yesterday as I didn't do the blackface on my yearbook page but I did do it in another incident.

Why he almost seemed to consider showing off his moonwalk when asked if he still could. His wife had to tell him no.

He should've resigned with dignity. Now he has to go through another presser to finally step down.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Absolutely right.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. It was the political equivalent of his 3:00 A M call and he failed it.

[MBS]

4. Significant to me that Warner, Kaine, and Scott watched the news conference first.

(And kudos to the three of them for waiting to hear that news conference before making a public decision and statement).
But it sounds to me that for the three of them, it was - like you - as much Northam's response to the whole thing, including his press conference - that led them to call for him to resign. Perhaps even more than the photos themselves.

I was uncomfortable with the initial rush to judgment by everyone on the internet, but, yeah, it's clear that he just can't be governor any more. And that, no matter what role Republican dirty tricks played in this, in the end, he did himself in.

[Kurt V.]

5. K&R

[dhill926]

6. he had a great opportunity...

on the national stage, to advance the dialogue. And he blew it...

[njhoneybadger]

7. Yes, I'm perplexed that everyone doesn't see it this way.

[Vogon_Glory]

8. As vehemently as I've disagreed with many on this

board about these-called “necessity” of Northam’s resignation, I concur that he disqualified himself for higher office. I wouldn’t support him as a Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate. Still, I’d give him a chance to make amends, finish his term as Governor, and spike the efforts of the Breitbart crowd and their backers to sow discord among Democrats and progressives.

Let this episode be a lesson: those people succeeded with Al Franken, they’re still trying with Northam and they’ll try to discredit any Democrat who doesn’t walk on water.

[doompatrol39]

9. Actual quote

“the reason I used a very little bit is - I don’t know if you’re ever tried this but - you cannot get shoe polish off.”

I don't think it's reading too much into this to say this sounds like someone who has way too informed a view on the nuances of putting shoe polish on your face.

Get this guy the fuck out of here.

[mcar]

11. Yes

Entitlement and privilege personified.

[keithbvadu2]

12. The ever-changing story ruins his credibility.