President Donald Trump decided to weigh in on the blackface controversy surrounding Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) following Northam's Saturday press conference.
Democrat Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia just stated, “I believe that I am not either of the people in that photo.” This was 24 hours after apologizing for appearing in the picture and after making the most horrible statement on “super” late term abortion. Unforgivable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2019
Naturally, Trump used the opportunity to slam Northam's previous Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, for failing to discover the controversial yearbook photos during the campaign when opposition research should have taken place.
Ed Gillespie, who ran for Governor of the Great State of Virginia against Ralph Northam, must now be thinking Malpractice and Dereliction of Duty with regard to his Opposition Research Staff. If they find that terrible picture before the election, he wins by 20 points!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2019
Trump is right about one thing: Northam's statements are unbelievable. The guy can't get his story straight yet the people of Virginia are supposed to have faith that this man can run their state? Not a chance.
But is Trump right? If Gillespie's opposition research turned up the yearbook photos, would it have made a difference? Would voters have been upset at Northam for taking the pictures or at Gillespie's camp for bringing about the images? Would Gillespie have won the seat instead? The truth is, none of us will know. All we can do is speculate.