As the Republican Party goes futher off the deep end, we're going to see "unpure" Dems joining the party.

You can decide for yourself whether he has evolved.

Here is a brief interview just before the election.

he changed, became a Democrat, and while he bemoans the Republican party he grew up with is gone (he's 62), he's voted "D" since 2008.

It happens.

Make him wash dishes and take out the garbage.

just surprised, that a Dem could vote for W twice over a democrat, and if you read the article it suggest he is back pedaling on core democratic principles,

but you go mock that

and I feel confident that he will do an excellent job for all Virginians! He is truly a good person. Do you know what he does in his spare time, as a volunteer? Pediatric hospice.

I don't know why he voted for George w, and quite frankly, I don't care. What I care about is the fact that he is going to be working hard to help the people of this state.

I know plenty of people who have evolved in their political outlook and I applaud that, especially these days when critical thinking is so maligned.

of his back pedaling on Medicaid expansion if the article is to be believed

I was very upset about Northam appearing to backpedal on Medicaid expansion. He claimed yesterday that he wasn't doing that. Sorry, I can't find the link. Anyway, he needs to clarify this statement immediately.

I am also upset that he is calling for civility and bipartisanship. That has really worked well for the Democrats, hasn't it? Yes, I am being sarcastic.

No, I am not asking for a pure Democrat. But as evidenced by the Democrats coming close to getting a majority in the House of Delegates, depending on the recounts, unlike the situation in Alabama, it is clear that the voters in VA wanted change and not someone who will function as a Republican lite.

Mcauliffe did and was very effective. Northam did clarify his remarks...was this deliberately ignored in this OP?

Link to tweet

He was pretty adamant about expanding Medicaid before the election and sounded like he was backing down on that promise. His clarification doesn't exactly resolve things in my mind and perhaps the OP felt the same way although I don't want to speak for him/her. Hopefully, I will be proven wrong.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply he shouldn't work with Republicans. But he sounds like he is making the mistake of many Democrats in thinking if they are civil, Republicans will respond in the same way. They usually don't.

Like someone else said, I don't care if he voted for W twice. I only care about the present and moving forward.

who says they are a dem then find out they voted for a republican for president who was incompetent not once but twice

you don't find that odd?

that was my motivation, did not think it was that difficult to see

ya that. But, as has been noted people do change.. radically sometimes. Let's hope this is Gov Northam's case from when he voted for George w bush... twice.

Modern politics doesn't seem to acknowledge it, but people can and do change their views. A person could be homophobic while younger because of upbringing and culture for instance, and then change based on life experiences and become the exact opposite.

Smart republicans/conservatives, wanting to run for office but knowing their brand will be crap for the next 20 years will run as conservative Dems instead!

And as open and accepting as the Dem party is, they'll be allowed to run for office as Dems and win enough seats to hold progressive Dems in check...

Worked to elect Northam.

This is Virginia, not California or Massachusetts.

Did you follow the race? He didn't vote for Bush but did vote for abortion restrictions in the ACA which I think is worse. But he has since apologized and recanted. I would have voted for either in the general if I still lived in Virginia. Vote Democratic always.

I voted for Northam because I knew he could beat Gillespie. This state is so fucking gerrymandered, we NEEDED a viable candidate to win. Perriello was not that guy--obviously.

Also, I don't think Virginia was a Bernie state (hence, not a Warren state either) during the primaries. I'm pretty sure memory says Clinton won. Don't force Bernie down the throats of people who don't want him or else you have the Repubs in charge of further gerrymandering. Virginia made great strides this past November--i.e. Danica Roem and winning so many friggin' seats. Instead of complaining about Northam, maybe look at what we did and apply it elsewhere.

beating Gillespie by 9 points, we got Justin Fairfax, Lt. Gov, AG and many down ticket races all over the state, Danica Roem in NoVa and others. Not understanding concern about the good doctor now.

justiceischeap said:

This state is so fucking gerrymandered, we NEEDED a viable candidate to win. Perriello was not that guy--obviously.


The key words: we needed a viable candidate to win.

Hooray!

Virginia is a purple state. Not deep blue. Northam was/is the far better fit for the particular race he was in, which was proven by his 9-point margin of victory. To his credit, Perriello worked his butt off for the Northam campaign. From everything I read, there was no ill will or back-biting between the two men, only a concerted effort to put a Dem into the Governor's mansion. Because . . . that's what we needed to do, period.

Before we start criticizing one of our own, why don't give Northam a chance to prove himself in office. A lot of people thought Terry McAuliffe would be disappointing--no real governing experience, former lobbyist and money guy. Meanwhile, he turned out to be a damn good Governor.

We need all the Democrats that we can get.
Even if I don't agree with everything about them.

First we get Democrats in office, then we get BETTER Democrats in office.

if they run as a Democratic and then govern as a Republican, that is how we lose in the long run

I’m just curious.

but what does that matter

and won big on democratic values now he is backing off on some of his promises as suggested by the article

I dont get running as a progressive, winning on those values then running away from them after being elected

He is not governing as a Republican...I live in a Republicans governed state ...they just made it illegal to have an abortion because you are carrying a Downs child. Some forms of birth control are not allowed and our economy has languished. No Democrat would be worse than any Republican...unless we get the legislature, we will have to work with them and compromise...nature of the beast.

walking back his campaign promises

a Democratic Governor who does not meet the purity test!!

Off with his head and better a republican than an impure Democratic Office holder.

Is that what you saying?

Or are you attacking a Democratic Party officeholder?

Confused about your motives on this post.

over pointing out that a democratic governor previously voted for George W in both of his presidential elections
that means he voted for someone who took us to war in Iraq by exploiting 9-11, the failed economic polices of W admin. I find that odd, don't you?

I'm sorry the the original OP hurt your feelings

Sometimes I feel like we are living Orwell's 1984.

Voting for Dubya, never thought I'd say it, is mild compared something, and that is voting for the short-fingered vulgarian.

We're moving to the right it appears.

Maybe it is not possible to go further right than the Orange Disaster.

The Republican and the Democrat...and the Democrat is always the better choice. Both primary candidates running for the Virginia governorship had issues...Perriello with abortion and Northam with the GW votes. Vote for the Democrat.

Please don't spout off about Virginia when you obviously know nothing about Virginia.

Ralph Northam is something you don't see very often. A decent, thoughtful, honest, compassionate and caring politician.

He has a compelling story, and it seems he got into politics for the right reasons. He voted for President Obama twice, and President Obama campaigned for him vigorously.

Sick of the ignorant "purity tests". Thanks to those tests, and comments like yours (defaming and slandering a good and decent man), we now have an orange shitgibbon and his army of flying monkeys in charge of the entire government.

Take heart though, Jill Stein and the other "rodent-fornicators" appreciate your help.

Actually the criticism and purity factor was surprising and disappointing to me. Sincere apologies for the fail comment.

I'm a multi generation Virginian and Democrat that thinks highly of Northam, his work, impressive record and character.

We campaigned for him and look forward to attending the inaugural next month, like Kaine's, Obama's, Clinton's, others.

He must about 250 yrs old.

Just joking. When I read George W, the person I thought of was George Washington.

since the pukes are so obviously puke-worthy now (beware the Big Tent).

This is certainly why many preferred Pereillo (sp?).

a majority no matter how 'pure' we are.

does it make at this point other than to divide? Perriello the other candidate had personally hurt abortion rights in the ACA...this group was responsible for single payer being off the table...but he voted for the final bill...lost his seat because of it. And later repented his votes on abortion. Virginia is trending left I think...this year was a amazing, but it still is somewhat centrist. I would also add that it was known and discussed that Northam voted for Bush during the campaign. Personally, I thank God that Northam won.

Isn't that a victory? Why discourage that? If a person is not a Democrat from birth, they have to stay second-class or undesirable to run for office? That's not going to work.

And Kasich was also on the Koch brothers shitlist for expanding it there. When some REPUBLICANS have more courage than duly elected Democrats, we are in fucking trouble.

Democrats needs to stop bringing silly putty to a gun fight.

So I'm less concerned about his past votes than I am about future plans. Obviously enough people voted for Bush so he could steal it. But walking back campaign promises at this early stage is a bad look, no matter what.

We shall how some of these self proclaimed Dems act when they have power.

Anyone who voted for W has very bad judgment and lacks a moral core.
(He ordered the cold blooded murder and maiming of millions of Iraqis, many women and children, and sent American soldiers into harm's way, because he wanted Iraqi's oil).

This is not meant personally to you, OP, as yours is only one of many naive, breathless posts here that appear to be prompted by the influence of propaganda on those with an inadequate understanding of how our political system works.

For instance, a lot of people don't seem to understand that governors have the power to appoint the heads of state agencies. With the Republicans gone batshit anti-science crazy, it's important to have Democratic governors in order to protect the environment, for instance. Also, having a Democrat in the governor's office protects the election process in that state, as the governor appoints the Secretary of State. So, since the 2018 midterm election and 2020 presidential election are so very, very important at this time, it's good that Democrats will be in charge of the voting machines.

There are things - like our whole democracy - that are at stake now. We need Democrats in power.

If you say you can't be a Democrat if you voted for a Republican in the past, well, you can get a pure party that way, but we sure as hell won't add ANY numbers to our fold.

Be real.

Do you want to be pure or do you want to win?

May as well tell voters that if they ever voted for a Republican we don't want their votes.....

political suicide

commercials. He even sounds like him a teeny bit (sound of voice not his views).

Regarding his vote I guess I could kinda understand how he could be fooled by GW Bush the first time. After all he (Bush) player a good ‘ol country guy. 🙄 Back then the media was like “Oh, who would you want to have a beer with?” 🙄. So I could somewhat understand who someone could be fooled by that the first time. However, I do not understand how anyone could vote for him a second time. Still glad Northam kicked Gillepsie’s butt in VA but sure hate Northam was on the other side two times.. Especially with disgusting people liked Cheney, Rumsfeld and others looming around egging GW Bush on..Ugh..

If Saul can become Paul on the road to Damascus Ralph Northam can become a Democrat.

He is an individual playing a game that involves a lot of people.

What needs to die is the politics of purity.

Link to tweet

exist. It was manufactured to divide the electorate so we couldn't use our votes to stop those who intend to transfer our wealth and power to a few.

Back when our democracy was functioning pretty darned well, the Republican Party leadership wasn't nearly as extreme (and its voters just plain crazy) and they had many moderates whom we worked across the aisle with.

The Democratic Party has not become extreme, but in these frightening, angering times it has moved farther left and become relatively dangerously partisan and intolerant also. Most of the move left is very unfortunately out of partisan rejection of a middle ground to meet on, not in pursuit of worthy goals.

And to Kentucky and Northam: The Democratic Party still contains some conservatives, mostly from reliably conservative areas like Kentucky, where conservatives were Democrats since before the Civil War and haven't changed affiliation. They vote Republican for president and conservative local Democrat for state offices. They never elect liberals or radical leftists. Northam is moderate conservative, which is what one would hope Kentuckians would elect, as opposed to the true right-wing extremists so many states are putting in office. I

Instead of deploring, maybe consider that this is a valuable and important aspect of the magnificent diversity of the Democratic Party. We are the party of all people, a complete counterpart to the party of wealthy white male supremacy and autocracy that the GOP has become. The rebuilding of our nation will be done by its people, lead by us. Or not at all.

I love people who have never spent a day in Virginia criticizing our democratic leaders. Virginia Democrats have always been centrist to slightly conservative. We have a wide range of democrats from Fairfax to Bristol and our Democratic leaders have to meet all of thier needs. People's opinions and beliefs do evolve over time and Northem is an example of that. Hillary trounced Sanders in the primary and Perillo was a Sanders guy. Keep your purity politics out of my State as we have voted Democratic in the past three Presidential elections.

then walks away from it, before he takes office,

we don't have to be republican light to win in virginia, he proved that by winning

get stuck on your precious "VA politics" so no one can question because the don't live in the state?
wow little immature there huh

Northam ran as a Democrat and he won as a Democrat. Multiple posters have stated that he has clarified his stance about Medicade Expansion. I have lived in this State my entire life and I have watched our Democratic party work very hard to get back control of the Legislature and we are almost there. Lastly I won't bother asking who you voted for in the 2016 primary. I will tell that if it wasn't for the Christmas Season I would alert your post for your personal attack against my level of maturity.

you don't share them? , I thought we did, that is why we are on DU
I voted for Sanders in the primary and happily voted for Clinton, I also donated money every month to Clinton, directly taken out of my bank account, once she secured the nomination.,

don't get why you would want to know who I voted for in the primary

by the way I hope Northam is everything his defenders say he is on DU, one day will be a great Dem law maker