MSNBC journalist Katy Tur on Friday skipped the opportunity to press Virginia’s Democratic governor about his connection to an appalling ad that linked his Republican opponent to mowing down Muslim and Hispanic children. Though Tur offered some tough questions, they were of a horse race variety, worrying that Ralph Northam might blow the election.
The Latino Victory Fund has now pulled a hostile ad in which an Ed Gillespie-supporting lunatic attempted to murder minority children. On Thursday, it was revealed that the Northam campaign listed the commercial as a campaign contribution and valued the ad at $60,000.
Friday saw multiple polls showing Gillespie tied or leading Northam. So, it may not be a coincidence that she chose to focus on worries that the Democrat might lose: “I know you're talking about unity. I know you’re talking about enthusiasm, but again I find it hard to believe you're not slightly concerned about this [Donna] Brazile book and this division between the progressive wing and the more establishment wing?”
Tur continued:
Are you not concerned at all that there might be some voters out there who look at this and say, “I don’t want anything to do with anyone that establishment Democrats are supporting? I want to have a radical change”? Are you not concerned about that at all and if your not concerned about it, what would you say to voters who say that they do want radical change? Can you deliver that radical change for them?
At one point in the segment, Northam blasted Gillespie for HIS ads: “Ed Gillespie is a Washington lobbyist. He’s now Donald Trump’s chief lobbyist. He’s running ads like the MS-13 ad.”
Wouldn’t this have been a good time to question Northam on his connection to an ad accusing Gillespie supporters of being murderers?
A partial transcript is below:
MSNBC Live
11/3/17
2:53KATY TUR: Tuesday is election day. President Trump is not on the ballot, but he is playing a major role in the Virginia governor's race. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam is facing off against Republican Ed Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chair and counselor to President George W. Bush. Polls show a tight race. The Real Clear political polling average gives Northam just a three and a half point lead over Gillespie, and that is why the last thing Democrats need now is to rehash the divisive 2016 battle between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton but that is exactly what's happening thanks to a new explosive book by Donna Brazile claiming the DNC rigged the primary for Hillary Clinton.
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam joins us now from Washington. Lieutenant Governor, thank you so much for being here. We appreciate your time. I know you probably don't want to dwell on this, but it is in the news, the President is talking about it, the controversy with Donna Brazile’s new book alleging that Hillary Clinton and her campaign had a secret takeover. As somebody who is more of the establishment Democrat in Virginia, the one in the race, does this story hurt you and your party ahead of Tuesday’s election
....
TUR: Lieutenant Governor, I know that's the message you want to get out there but that's not quite the question I asked, which is the new allegations in Donna Brazile's book, expose a pretty big rift in the Democratic Party between the progressive wing, the Bernie Sanders wing, the Elizabeth Warren wing and the more establishment wing that you are a part of, voters out there were — aren't happy with the Democratic Party in general when you look at polling. Democratic Party is not very popular and there is concern the progressive wing will rip apart from the establishment wing and don't feel like they're talking to each other. Are you concerned you could be the first potential victim of that rift after this book?
LT. GOV. RALPH NORTHAM: No, Katy. Like I said, we're unified in Virginia, focused on this election.
TUR: You say you're unified but at the same time Doug Wilder isn't endorsing you. There's — there's some division within Virginia. Are you really that confident?
NORTHAM: I am confident, and you know, Doug Wilder, a good friend of mine. He was a great governor.
TUR: So, why is he not endorsing you?
NORTHAM: Well, that's up to Governor Wilder and he'll make that decision at the appropriate time.
TUR: All right. So — talking about Ed Gillespie.
NORTHAM: Yes.
TUR: He has that ad out basically calls northern Virginia enemy territory.
NORTHAM: Right.
TUR: Let's take a listen to that ad. Not that ad. Caught on tape. Take a listen to the tape. I'm sorry.
...
TUR: Sorry about that. Initially we were playing an ad against you, then we played the right sound. Ed Gillespie talking about northern Virginia being enemy territory. What's your response?
NORTHAM: Ed Gillespie is a Washington lobbyist. He’s now Donald Trump’s chief lobbyist. He’s running ads like the MS-13 ad.
...
TUR: I know you're talking about unity. I know you’re talking about enthusiasm, but again I find it hard to believe you're not slightly concerned about this Brazile book and this division between the progressive wing and the more establishment wing? Perriello was endorsed by — your opponent in the primary, was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. Are you not concerned at all that there might be some voters out there who look at this and say, “I don’t want anything to do with anyone that establishment Democrats are supporting? I want to have a radical change”? Are you not concerned about that at all and if your not concerned about it, what would you say to voters who say that they do want radical change? Can you deliver that radical change for them?...
TUR: Quickly, if you were to lose what would it mean for the Virginia Democratic Party?
NORTHAM: Well, we're going to win November the 7th and we have they enthusiasm and excitement.
