海角大神

What is going on in Virginia? The state鈥檚 government has been in crisis ever since that now-infamous picture surfaced from Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam鈥檚 1984 medical school yearbook page 鈥� showing one man in blackface and another in KKK garb. At first, Governor Northam apologized for the photo. Then, amid an avalanche of calls to resign, he changed course and said it wasn鈥檛 actually him.

Northam is now refusing to step down. Complicating matters for state Democrats, Lt Gov. Justin Fairfax, who had been poised to succeed Northam, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago. (He denies the charge, saying the encounter was consensual.)聽聽

And today, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who鈥檚 third in line for the governorship, admitted that he once dressed in blackface in college in the 1980s.聽

Initially, it seemed doubtful that Northam could survive the overwhelming number of calls for his resignation. As The Washington Post鈥檚 Matt Viser , the push reflected the Democratic Party鈥檚 new 鈥渮ero-tolerance policy鈥� on transgressions involving race or sex 鈥� since 鈥減urity鈥� on those issues is seen as necessary to draw a sharp contrast with President Trump.

But without a clear replacement for Democrats to unite behind 鈥� and as the initial surge of outrage inevitably subsides somewhat 鈥� Northam鈥檚 chances of hanging on may be ticking up.

While the history of blackface is undoubtedly 鈥渢oxic,鈥� Northam鈥檚 expressions of remorse 鈥� and, more importantly, his public record on race over the past 35 years 鈥� should entitle him to a second chance, The Chicago Tribune鈥檚 Eric Zorn. 鈥淚f a month from now it still looks as if he can鈥檛 be an effective governor or if the bill of particulars against him has grown, then yes, he should quit,鈥� he argues. 鈥淏ut not yet.鈥�

Monitor reporter Jessica Mendoza has gone to Richmond to see what the story looks like from there. Be sure to look for her piece later in the week.

As always, let us know what you鈥檙e thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com.