WaPo: "Virginians split on governor's fate amid blackface scandal, poll shows"

[spooky3]

"Virginians are deadlocked over whether Gov. Ralph Northam (D) should step down after the emergence of a photo on his 1984 medical school yearbook page depicting people in blackface and Ku Klux Klan robes, with African Americans saying by a wide margin he should remain in office despite the offensive image, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll.

The poll, conducted Wednesday through Friday, finds residents split over Northam’s fate, with 47 percent wanting him to step down and 47 percent saying he should stay on. Northam counts higher support among black residents — who say he should remain in office by a margin of 58 percent to 37 percent — than among whites, who are more evenly divided."

snip

Dems are 57-40 favoring his staying in office
Repubs are 42-56 favoring his stepping down
Indeps are about evenly split

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginians-split-on-governors-fate-amid-blackface-scandal-poll-shows/2019/02/09/93002e84-2bc1-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html?utm_term=.7d4f7d3a6ac7

[Iliyah]

1. Wait a minute . . . . .

I thought 60% of Virginians wanted him to resign.

[spooky3]

2. that was an online poll reported on Daily Kos nt

[mcar]

3. Virginians should decide who leads them

[OnDoutside]

4. The positive about him staying, for African Americans, is that he will have to be seen to atone

further, in pro AA policies, at least I would think.

[spooky3]

5. Agree. The Post published a long interview with Northam, where he specified what

he would do, along the lines that you suggested.

On edit - a DUer has posted it:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211800462

[OnDoutside]

6. Thanks, I'll check that out

[Yosemito]

7. 58% of African Americans say don't resign

37% say resign.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginians-split-on-governors-fate-amid-blackface-scandal-poll-shows/2019/02/09/93002e84-2bc1-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html

[Awsi Dooger]

8. Sounds like a big change within a week

It wasn't the exact question but Northam's approval rating had plunged a week ago. It must have upticked already if stay/go is 50/50.

The Trump presidency doesn't allow sidelight scandals to linger per norm. We should have thought of that and reacted accordingly during the Franken stuff.

He is going to stay. We need to acknowledge that and see how it plays out. At least he knows where to focus as opposed to 5 or 6 areas of condemnation from all angles.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. From the article

[Caliman73]

10. I would weigh the opinions of Black constituents more heavily than any other.

Since they are the aggrieved constituency and the historical target of blackface. If they support Northam remaining in office then I think that it carries more weight.

[rgbecker]

11. It's getting late: I read your title as...

"Virginians spit on governor's face amid blackface scandal, poll shows"

[spooky3]

13. :-)

[OliverQ]

12. Let's be honest here.

The black polling is the most important, because they're the ones who have the right to be the most offended over this and they think he should stay.

It's obvious why Republicans want him to step down. It's not because they oppose racism. If he were a Republican, they'd praise him. It's because they see a window to get the Republican speaker put in the Governor's seat.

The fact that most Dems, including blacks want him to stay while most Republicans want him to step down tells me he should absolutely stay.

A not so great Democrat is far superior to the best Republican.