Post by addisona on Feb 15, 2022 17:25:01 GMT
In an environment of Big Lie-telling, hate-tweeting and celebration of all things partisan, Glenn Youngkin looked like a relic from the Republican past as he campaigned successfully last year to be Virginia's governor. With his fleece vests and affable manner, Youngkin cast himself as a determined conservative eager to unite the Old Dominion.
In November, he offered lavish public praise to the Democrat he was replacing, term-limited Gov. Ralph Northam, for welcoming Youngkin to the job and helping with the transition
"No matter who you voted for, I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor," Youngkin said in his January inaugural address.
Less than a month into Youngkin's term, analysts and Virginia Democrats say the state was sold a political bill of goods. Far from "bind[ing] the wounds of division," as Youngkin pledged to do in his upbeat, olive branch-extending inaugural address, the new governor has taken a sharp turn to the right, they say, pushing an agenda that appeals to the Donald Trump wing of the party.
Days into his administration, Youngkin signed an executive order ending "the use of divisive concepts, including critical race theory, in public education." Youngkin also instituted a tip line – a "snitch line," as critics call it – so people could report behavior by teachers that they think violates his directive. critical race theory, which posits that racism is baked into U.S. law and institutions, is not actually taught in K-12 schools.
"It's a two-tiered governorship," says Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "The public figure is Glenn Youngkin in his suburban dad outfit and singing 'Don't Worry, Be Happy,' smiling a lot and telling us how he's going to unite everyone. But right out of the gate, he went far right on everything," Sabato says.
Democratic Party officials have been early and very vocal in their complaints about the new governor.
"Without a doubt, Glenn Youngkin has shown, virtually from his first day in office, that he's not some mild-mannered, basketball-playing, affable moderate from Northern Virginia," says Susan Swecker, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, of the former businessman who went to Rice University on a basketball scholarship.
"He's a far right-wing Republican who caters to the fringe of his party. He's done nothing but create chaos and division," Swecker adds. The Republican Party of Virginia did not respond to an interview request.
Since Virginia law limits governors to a single, nonconsecutive term, Youngkin may be trying to appease another, broader audience, setting himself up as a possible vice presidential pick or a Cabinet secretary position in a GOP White House, Sabato says. "He's trying to become the hero of the Trump wing" of the party, he says.
Youngkin defenders argue that the governor isn't doing anything he hadn't discussed on the campaign trail. Education and parental choice were central themes of his campaign, and his criticisms of critical race theory were cheered by suburban parents who attended his rallies. And other elements of Youngkin’s agenda – such as getting rid of the grocery tax – are not getting as much media attention, they note.
"Gov. Youngkin is delivering on the promises he laid out in his campaign on lowering the cost of living, ensuring safe communities and working for all Virginians," says spokeswoman Macaulay Porter. "He's reached across the aisle to do that."
www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-02-09/glenn-youngkin-takes-hard-right-turn-as-virginia-governor
In November, he offered lavish public praise to the Democrat he was replacing, term-limited Gov. Ralph Northam, for welcoming Youngkin to the job and helping with the transition
"No matter who you voted for, I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor," Youngkin said in his January inaugural address.
Less than a month into Youngkin's term, analysts and Virginia Democrats say the state was sold a political bill of goods. Far from "bind[ing] the wounds of division," as Youngkin pledged to do in his upbeat, olive branch-extending inaugural address, the new governor has taken a sharp turn to the right, they say, pushing an agenda that appeals to the Donald Trump wing of the party.
Days into his administration, Youngkin signed an executive order ending "the use of divisive concepts, including critical race theory, in public education." Youngkin also instituted a tip line – a "snitch line," as critics call it – so people could report behavior by teachers that they think violates his directive. critical race theory, which posits that racism is baked into U.S. law and institutions, is not actually taught in K-12 schools.
"It's a two-tiered governorship," says Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "The public figure is Glenn Youngkin in his suburban dad outfit and singing 'Don't Worry, Be Happy,' smiling a lot and telling us how he's going to unite everyone. But right out of the gate, he went far right on everything," Sabato says.
Democratic Party officials have been early and very vocal in their complaints about the new governor.
"Without a doubt, Glenn Youngkin has shown, virtually from his first day in office, that he's not some mild-mannered, basketball-playing, affable moderate from Northern Virginia," says Susan Swecker, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, of the former businessman who went to Rice University on a basketball scholarship.
"He's a far right-wing Republican who caters to the fringe of his party. He's done nothing but create chaos and division," Swecker adds. The Republican Party of Virginia did not respond to an interview request.
Since Virginia law limits governors to a single, nonconsecutive term, Youngkin may be trying to appease another, broader audience, setting himself up as a possible vice presidential pick or a Cabinet secretary position in a GOP White House, Sabato says. "He's trying to become the hero of the Trump wing" of the party, he says.
Youngkin defenders argue that the governor isn't doing anything he hadn't discussed on the campaign trail. Education and parental choice were central themes of his campaign, and his criticisms of critical race theory were cheered by suburban parents who attended his rallies. And other elements of Youngkin’s agenda – such as getting rid of the grocery tax – are not getting as much media attention, they note.
"Gov. Youngkin is delivering on the promises he laid out in his campaign on lowering the cost of living, ensuring safe communities and working for all Virginians," says spokeswoman Macaulay Porter. "He's reached across the aisle to do that."
www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-02-09/glenn-youngkin-takes-hard-right-turn-as-virginia-governor