In red states, Democrats are cultivating rising stars like Wendy Davis.
In the important purple state of Virginia, Republicans elevated the lead balloon E.W. Jackson.
What on earth were Va. GOP convention delegates thinking when they voted to nominate Jackson for lieutenant governor? Did anyone consider a little background research to determine if Jackson was a suitable statewide candidate?
Apparently not.
The more I learn about E.W. Jackson, the more I say, “Ew.”
Or as he says, “ikky.”
Jackson believes that gay people have “perverted” minds. He has said, “They’re frankly very sick people psychologically” and has opined a lot more on the gay community, all of it offensive.
Jackson also has strong feelings about pivotal issues like meditation. In 2008, he wrote that yoga can make you vulnerable to the devil's influence.
When discussing abortion, Jackson said, “Planned Parenthood has been far more lethal to black lives than the KKK ever was. And the Democrat Party and the black civil rights allies are partners in this genocide.”
Jackson appears to like evoking the Klan (always a winner on the campaign trail). Last year he said, “Liberalism and their ideas have done more to kill black folks whom they claim so much to love than the Ku Klux Klan, lynching and slavery and Jim Crow ever did, now that’s a fact.”
A fact!
Okay, here’s a real fact: Virginia is one of seven states without a female statewide elected official.
Jackson should end his campaign immediately and allow a candidate who is not an embarrassment to compete in the race. In doing so, he could solve two problems. First, Jackson would disappear from politics. Second, he could pave the way for the Va. GOP to nominate a woman to statewide office.
Jeannemarie Devolites Davis sought to be the party’s 2013 nominee for lieutenant governor. Davis represented Northern Virginia districts in the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate from 1998-20004 and 2004-08, respectively.
I suspect Davis would happily fill the void left by Jackson’s departure. And she could win, too.
Jackson cannot win. Period.
Time is running out for Jackson to withdraw. No serious candidate will want to take his place in the race unless there is ample time to build a campaign.
Heavy hitters need to lean on Jackson.
Lean hard.
On the campaign trail, Jackson continues to insist that government programs have hurt black families more than slavery. That is absurd.
Republicans who care about the future of their party must intervene.
Allowing Jackson to stay in the race is a sign of weakness for party leaders and GOP backers.
Get rid of him now or be assured, Jackson will continue to embarrass Virginia and the GOP until November.
Chuck Thies is a political, communications and advocacy consultant. He has worked on national projects and internationally in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, China and Mexico. If you are daring, follow him on twitter, @ChuckThies.
