Governor Bid, Scandal Rift

Plus, ponytails with a purpose.

September 24, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Tuesday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Man suspected of assassination attempt against Trump left a letter detailing his plans, prosecutors say (CNN)

  • World: Lebanon sees deadliest day of conflict since 2006 as Israeli strikes kill more than 492 (AP)

  • Business: Boeing sweetens labor proposal in ‘best and final’ offer as strike enters second week (CNBC)

  • Technology: Google is bringing its smart home panel to all Google TV devices (The Verge)

  • Sports: Vikings QB Sam Darnold has no structural damage to knee (ESPN)

And of course, some good news: Teen donates 2 feet of hair for sick children after growing it out since 3rd grade.

BECOME A FLAG BEARER

👀 Sunday Sneak Peak: You know the 50 states—well, almost. There was one more, hiding in the shadows of the Revolution, gone before you could even say ‘statehood.’ Uncover the mystery of Franklin—sign up to learn the full story. Want the whole bizarre tale? Become a premium subscriber for the full scoop.

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Right: Donald Trump Has the Wind at His Back, Paul Ingrassia, AMAC

Right: Our So-Called ‘Experts’ & Their Silly Letters, Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness

NORTH CAROLINA

Governor Bid, Scandal Rift

Today’s Top Story: North Carolina Lieutenant Governor and GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson faces allegations of posting controversial comments on a pornographic forum, including calling himself a "black NAZI" and recounting voyeuristic behavior.

Reporting from the Left: Several Mark Robinson campaign staffers quit as fallout over online posts continues (AP)

Reporting from the Right: 4 Mark Robinson campaign staffers resign in wake of report on porn website posts (Fox News)

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

A Reflection of the GOP

The Top Argument From The Left: In Mark Robinson’s fall, Republicans are getting what they asked for, Billy Ball, MSNBC: “According to the report, Robinson — who’s campaigned as a fundamentalist, Christian conservative — commented frequently between 2008 and 2012 on a site called ‘Nude Africa.’ Robinson has denied he is the author of the posts… But CNN’s reporters documented several connections between the candidate, the email he used to register with the sites and biographical details posted to the various profiles. … He commented on his love for transgender pornography, called himself a “Black Nazi,” made profane comments about a woman’s alleged rape, referred to Martin Luther King Jr. by a racial slur…and even reminisced graphically about a teenage experience peeping on a women’s locker room at a local college. … Many of Robinson’s Republican peers have held him up as a champion, though, an example of America at its finest… Like Trump, Robinson cast himself as an uncensored outsider who traded put-downs for policy; a conservative, chest-thumping warrior who seemed to be the beneficiary of limitless forgiveness for his transgressions. North Carolina Republicans have shown that the MAGA movement doesn’t believe in such limits. But voters will, which is why Republicans and Robinson will stay this way, locked in a doomed embrace, through Election Day.”

Honorable Mention #1: Why a “Black Nazi” Fit Right in With the Modern GOP, Jeet Heer, The Nation.

Honorable Mention #2: North Carolina’s GOP has some explaining to do, Kathleen Parker, The Washington Post.

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Not a Good Look for the GOP

The Top Argument From The Right: Republican Party Kamikazes, The Editorial Board, The Wall Street Journal: “If you want to understand why Republicans keep losing elections they should win, events this week in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., are illustrative. The party keeps nominating candidates whose record makes them unelectable in competitive races, and too many candidates who happen to win in safe GOP seats have no interest in governing. The meltdown of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP nominee for Governor of North Carolina, is embarrassing to behold. His campaign was already in rough shape before CNN reported that he had once called himself a “black NAZI!” and defended slavery on a pornographic forum. One reason the story has resonated politically is that Mr. Robinson is already famous for his incendiary public declarations. He has said homosexuality and transgenderism are “filth.” He has campaigned against the separation of church and state and made polarizing statements on race and education. … Yet GOP voters nominated Mr. Robinson anyway. It’s another example of Republicans falling for someone who claims to be a “fighter” but whose language and extreme positions make him toxic in a general election.”

Honorable Mention #2: Here’s to You, Mr. Robinson, Nick Catoggio, The Dispatch.

FLAG THIS

Robinson in the Polls

In the North Carolina governor's race, a New York Times/Siena College poll (Sept. 17-21) shows Democratic candidate Josh Stein leading Robinson by 10 points (47% to 37%). This mirrors the August poll, where Stein also had a 10-point advantage (48% to 38% (Newsweek).

Do you believe Robinson should end his campaign?

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WATERCOOLER

SCOTUS Established, Navigating Disorder, Hand Odor

On This Day in 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the first Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison, and James Wilson to be associate justices.

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