Did McAuliffe's running mate just cost him the race?

[Freewill]

After a lively debate, at 6:30 in the video, Jackson—the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor—attempts to shake hands with Northam, who will not shake it and doesn’t even look Jackson in the eye.

At first, a viewer might give Northam the benefit of the doubt that somehow he doesn’t see the extended hand. But Jackson dispels that doubt by taking his outstretched hand to tap Northam on the arm and then re-extends his hand almost into Northam’s lap. Northam still refuses to take it.

For whatever reason Northam refused to shake his opponents hand, it shows this man does not have the temperament or the intelligence for the job he is looking to get.

Impolite and ignorant to be sure but it does not necessarily have racial connotation, in my opinion.

 

[Pheonixops]

I would say that he should have.. It will depend upon how much outrage the media displays over the incident.

IMHO, the media will give it 30 seconds and ignore it. They will then say that they covered it... Just Barely.

Civil Rights Leaders React to VA Dem Lt. Governor Candidate Refusing to Shake Opponent's Hand

National civil rights leaders reacted to Democratic candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam refusing on camera to shake hands with his Republican opponent—right after confirming that he wants to massively expand government healthcare and not denying allegations that he thinks traditional Christians have no right to act according to their traditional-marriage views.

************

After a lively debate, at 6:30 in the video, Jackson—the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor—attempts to shake hands with Northam, who will not shake it and doesn’t even look Jackson in the eye.

At first, a viewer might give Northam the benefit of the doubt that somehow he doesn’t see the extended hand. But Jackson dispels that doubt by taking his outstretched hand to tap Northam on the arm and then re-extends his hand almost into Northam’s lap. Northam still refuses to take it.

This comes on the heels of the final debate topic: gay marriage. The candidates had just differed on expanding government-run healthcare through Medicaid, beginning at 4:09 in the video. Northam said he supports adding 400,000 Virginians to government-run and taxypayer-funded healthcare, while Jackson said it would bankrupt Virginia, so private-sector options must be developed instead.

At 5:29, Jackson—a former Marine and Harvard-educated lawyer who is also a Christian minister—said he welcomes in Virginia both those who believe in traditional marriage and those who support same-sex marriage but that Northam believes people who do not embrace gay marriage have no place in Virginia. Jackson adds that he believes that there is increasing intolerance of devout Christians on this issue and that Northam’s statements suggest anti-Christian bias.

While one would expect Northam to quickly say Jackson is completely misrepresenting his position, he does not deny Jackson’s claim. Instead Northam says that he supports gay marriage (using the poll-tested term “equality”) and then reasserts that he thinks all of Virginia should support gay marriage.

LOL, no it won't. Here's some food for thought:
"But in a statement to the Virginia Pilot, Cuccinelli also said he would not answer questions about his new running mate’s views. “We are not defending any of our running mates’ statements now or in the future,” he noted, adding “The people of Virginia need to get comfortable with each candidate individually.”

 

[Pheonixops]

It's pretty funny to see a group of people who supposedly loath the "race card", now use the "race card". What a JOKE!!!

 

[Iceman]

Who cares who wins? The Democrats and Republicans are just two sides of the same coin. Doesn't matter who wins here. The country cannot be "taken back" through the ballot box.

 

[JoeB131]

Outrage over the incident?

It was a total non-incident. One guy throws out a strawman, the other refused to dignify it in the ten seconds he had left, which was interrupted by his opponent.

How about refusing to shake his hand?

Is it because the White Democrat didn't want to touch the Black Republican?

Or that you really don't try to push yourself on the other guy in a debate...

Frankly, trying to get a person who doesn't like you to shake your hand is kind of a phony ritual.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Referendum Day tomorrow on the TPM in a red state.

Coupled with Christie's super win tomorrow and Cooch's savaging by TMac, the mainstream GOP will, instead of trying to reason with the TeaPs, will tear them and their movement to pieces.

 

[Zander]

Referendum Day tomorrow on the TPM in a red state.

Coupled with Christie's super win tomorrow and Cooch's savaging by TMac, the mainstream GOP will, instead of trying to reason with the TeaPs, will tear them and their movement to pieces.

It's only a referendum in your twisted mind FakeJake....

 

[westwall]

So what?

I would stand and turn my back on Dick Cheney at a public event if he were speaking.

Certain folks of the far left and the far right have not earned respect.

You're not a politician running for office. There are social mores that must be followed...unless you're a dickhead of course....

 

[OriginalShroom]

Referendum Day tomorrow on the TPM in a red state.

Coupled with Christie's super win tomorrow and Cooch's savaging by TMac, the mainstream GOP will, instead of trying to reason with the TeaPs, will tear them and their movement to pieces.

My bet is that McAuliffe will win, and the difference will be less than the number of votes/percentage that the Liberal who is running as a libertarian will get.

 

[tyroneweaver]

Nope, a non-issue.

Step along, losers.

I bet you

cheer for those utah utes.

 

[Truthseeker420]

Even if anyone believed anything coming from the idiotic clowns at Beitbart...why would Northam's refusing to shake an asshole's hand impact votes for McAuliffe ?

 

[JoeB131]

Referendum Day tomorrow on the TPM in a red state.

Coupled with Christie's super win tomorrow and Cooch's savaging by TMac, the mainstream GOP will, instead of trying to reason with the TeaPs, will tear them and their movement to pieces.

You keep telling yourself that, guy.

While blaming Cooch's defeat on the Teabaggers is intellectually lazy, the real factors that brought him down was his links with O'Donnell's corruption, the fact Mac outspent him massively and that he supported a lot of religious right crazy that while repulsive, really has nothing to do with the TEA movement.

Women looked at his radical anti-abortion agenda and voted against him. Really, nothing to do with TEA.

 

[JakeStarkey]

You, JoeB along with Yurt, are among the more intellectually lazy posters on this Board.

Guy, you don't have a clue.

 

[JoeB131]

You, JoeB along with Yurt, are among the more intellectually lazy posters on this Board.

Guy, you don't have a clue.

Non-responsive.

Cooch's problems have nothing to do with the TEA party and you know it.

But here's the thing. As with Walsh and West, Cooch won't be defeated by you "right minded Republicans".

He's going to be defeated by a Democrat.