# The VA Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax Allegations **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 5, 2019, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979 "2019-02-05T00:16:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/41 "2019-02-06T04:04:36Z")
I find it…interesting… that this incident happened while Fairfax was working as an aide to John Edwards. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/42 "2019-02-06T04:07:07Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Did he, though? The only quote I’ve seen from him is “Does anybody think it’s any coincidence that on the eve of my potentially being elevated, this uncorroborated smear comes up? You don’t have to be cynical, you don’t have to understand politics, to understand when someone’s trying to manipulate a process to harm someone’s character without any basis whatsoever.” This sounds more like an accusation against the right-wing website that broke both stories, rather than the Northam camp. Yeah, if you read the linked NYT story, it’s clear in contxt that he was indeed at least expressing suspicion of both Northram and some other Dem. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/43 "2019-02-06T04:24:54Z")
I, too, feel about this just as I felt about Kavanaugh and Franken. Two principles are in partial conflict here: 1) People who are being entrusted with high public office should be above suspicion. 2) Elections have consequences, and should not be lightly overturned. Therefore, I feel that Dr. Ford’s allegations were credible enough that, if I were a Senator, I would have voted against confirming Kavanaugh. But if he were already on the Court, I would not have voted to impeach him, because I believe the standard of evidence in that case should be much higher, closer to the standard required for criminal conviction. Likewise, I would not have supported Al Franken’s expulsion from the Senate, though I was not sorry that he resigned. So here too, I’ll reserve judgement until more details are available. One thing that looks really bad: if you scroll to the bottom of the OP’s link, is that Fairfax’s press release said that the Post found “inconsistencies and red flags” in the accuser’s account. The Post denied having found any such thing, which led to a further round of public quarreling with the Washington Post editors, not such a good thing for a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/44 "2019-02-06T11:59:28Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > This accuser, on the other hand, appears to be totally anonymous so far. The identity of the Fairfax accuser has been widely reported since the accusations first came out (indeed, one of the initial reports showed a very recent screenshot of a social media post of hers lamenting that her attacker was about to get a big promotion). Until she hired a lawyer, she was named mostly in partisan outlets (Washington Examiner, Huffington Post), but now you can find her information on places like [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/virginia-lt-gov-fairfax-s-accuser-goes-public-hires-christine-n967411). To the extent it matters to you, she appears to be an “accomplished and respected professional”. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/45 "2019-02-06T15:47:35Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Yeah, if you read the linked NYT story, it’s clear in contxt that he was indeed at least expressing suspicion of both Northram and some other Dem. I’m not getting that. It is clear he feels that it is a hit job, but as the story originated with a right wing site, I see his complaint more that he sees a coordinated effort by the right. During the Kavanaugh hearings, republican senators pretty much explicitly said that they would start pushing those sorts of stories, and as they did not believe that what Ford said was true, that indicates that they have no desire to make sure that the stories that they push are true. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/46 "2019-02-06T15:56:18Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > During the Kavanaugh hearings, republican senators pretty much explicitly said that they would start pushing those sorts of stories… Which senators said explicitly that they were going to start pushing those sorts of stories? I can think of some who lamented that those sorts of stories were being pushed, and that someone’s reputation could be ruined by them, but that is not the same thing. So, a few quotes from Republican Senators who said explicitly that they were going to start pushing stories about sexual assault. TIA. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/47 "2019-02-06T16:48:20Z")
Oh shit: [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html) [ETA:](https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/1093188446351515648) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/48 "2019-02-06T17:02:50Z")
I couldn’t help but laugh at this latest, sad as it is. At least Herring’s explanation is much more thorough, and didn’t involve KKK/slavery photos. Dressing up as a rapper as a 19 year old seems a bit different than dressing up as either a klanner or a slave as a ~24 year old. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/49 "2019-02-06T17:06:09Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Oh shit: [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html) > > [ETA:](https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/1093188446351515648) I assume that Cox would have to resign from the House of Delegates upon becoming Governor. What happens if the House of Delegates goes 50/50 from a leadership standpoint? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/50 "2019-02-06T17:07:50Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Oh shit: [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html) > > [ETA:](https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/1093188446351515648) Cripes - is this Virginia state government, or a freaking minstrel show? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/51 "2019-02-06T17:10:47Z")
I still expect (and hope) Northam will resign. Based on Herring’s statement, and the different circumstances (he was younger and dressed as a rapper, rather than a klanner/slave) I would guess Herring will survive this, though I think it’s likely this is his last political stop. I really don’t know about Fairfax – that will depend on the investigation into the accusation against him that I presume is ongoing. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/52 "2019-02-06T17:11:06Z")
> [@Falchion](#): > > The identity of the Fairfax accuser has been widely reported since the accusations first came out (indeed, one of the initial reports showed a very recent screenshot of a social media post of hers lamenting that her attacker was about to get a big promotion). > > Until she hired a lawyer, she was named mostly in partisan outlets (Washington Examiner, Huffington Post), but now you can find her information on places like [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/virginia-lt-gov-fairfax-s-accuser-goes-public-hires-christine-n967411). To the extent it matters to you, she appears to be an “accomplished and respected professional”. Thanks. I had only read the NYT piece. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/53 "2019-02-06T17:11:58Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Oh shit: [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/virginia-attorney-general-mark-herring-wore-blackface-in-college.html) > > [ETA:](https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/1093188446351515648) No matter which side you are on, you have to admit that is funny…in in sad, all-you-can-do-is-laugh sort of way. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/54 "2019-02-06T17:13:31Z")
What’s to stop either: 1. a) Northam resigns b) Fairfax is sworn in as governor c) Fairfax appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov or 1. a) Fairfax resigns b) Northam appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov Either one of which would keep Cox from becoming governor even if all of Northam, Fairfax, and Herring ultimately resigned. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/55 "2019-02-06T17:14:36Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > What’s to stop either: > > 1. a) Northam resigns > b) Fairfax is sworn in as governor > c) Fairfax appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov > > or > > 1. a) Fairfax resigns > b) Northam appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov > > Either one of which would keep Cox from becoming governor even if all of Northam, Fairfax, and Herring ultimately resigned. I’m not sure if LG can be appointed in VA if there’s a vacancy. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/56 "2019-02-06T17:15:27Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I’m not getting that. It is clear he feels that it is a hit job, but as the story originated with a right wing site, I see his complaint more that he sees a coordinated effort by the right. > > During the Kavanaugh hearings, republican senators pretty much explicitly said that they would start pushing those sorts of stories, and as they did not believe that what Ford said was true, that indicates that they have no desire to make sure that the stories that they push are true. Yes, as Fretful Porpentine said, if you look at his quote our of context, that seems the reasonable interpretation: “Does anybody think it’s any coincidence that on the eve of my potentially being elevated, this uncorroborated smear comes up? You don’t have to be cynical, you don’t have to understand politics, to understand when someone’s trying to manipulate a process to harm someone’s character without any basis whatsoever.” But he said that specifically in response to a question about whether he thought Northram was behind the story coming out. In that context, he’s not exactly accusing Northram, but he’s also definitely not saying “No, I think it was those other guys”. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/57 "2019-02-06T17:17:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m not sure if LG can be appointed in VA if there’s a vacancy. If the new Lt Gov needs to be approved by the legislature, that’s a problem. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/58 "2019-02-06T17:18:04Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I still expect (and hope) Northam will resign. Based on Herring’s statement, and the different circumstances (he was younger and dressed as a rapper, rather than a klanner/slave) I would guess Herring will survive this, though I think it’s likely this is his last political stop. > > I really don’t know about Fairfax – that will depend on the investigation into the accusation against him that I presume is ongoing. You say Herring could likely survive this, but in your opinion do you think he has a moral obligation to step down in light of his blackface admission? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/59 "2019-02-06T17:19:11Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > What’s to stop either: > > 1. a) Northam resigns > b) Fairfax is sworn in as governor > c) Fairfax appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov > > or > > 1. a) Fairfax resigns > b) Northam appoints a new (Dem) Lt Gov > > Either one of which would keep Cox from becoming governor even if all of Northam, Fairfax, and Herring ultimately resigned. Actually, I stand corrected (possibly) – if this is correct: [Lieutenant Governor of Virginia - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Virginia) then the governor can appoint a LG in a vacancy, and thus your plan would be possible. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979/60 "2019-02-06T17:20:55Z")
> [@pool](#): > > You say Herring could likely survive this, but in your opinion do you think he has a moral obligation to step down in light of his blackface admission? I don’t know. Still thinking about it, and I want to see what else he and others in VA (most significantly black Democrats in VA) have to say about it. I’ll say that so far he’s handling it a lot better than Northam did, but it’s early. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegations/828979.md?page=4)