For once, I agree 100% with the Washington Post editorial board. It's unfair to expect politicians to be held accountable for every asinine thing that a supporter happens to say. But in this case -- when the supporter is among Mr. McDonnell's most prominent associates, and the level of support is extremely high -- it's important to know that he is as disgusted by Mr. Robertson's casual bigotry as millions of his constituents are.I join with the Council on American-Islamic Relations in calling on McDonnell to denounce Robertson's long record of hateful and insane remarks about women, Muslims, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, Unitarians, Jehovah's Witnesses, secular humanists, Jews, Hindus, Scots, homosexuals, atheists/non-believers, feminists, public education). Now that he's been elected governor of Virginia (ack!), it's time for Bob McDonnell to make a choice: stick with Robertson and be tarred by his association with this hate-filled lunatic, or completely repudiate (including returning all campaign contributions and never taking any more again) the "casual bigot" and demonstrate that he's not "Pat Robertson's Manchurian Candidate" after all.
UPDATE: Gerry Connolly joins the call.
In the week since Mr. Robertson’s statement that Islam is ‘not a religion’ but a ‘violent political system’ whose adherents should be treated like members of the communist or fascist party, I have heard from hundreds of outraged Northern Virginians – Muslim and non-Muslim. Here in the 11th Congressional District of Virginia and, in fact, across our Commonwealth, Muslim-Americans are a vibrant part of our communities. They serve in our nation’s military, contribute to our economic growth, and in myriad other ways, help form the diverse tapestry that is Virginia in the 21st century.
Some will dismiss Mr. Robertson’s comments as the strange ramblings of a man stuck in a bygone era. But when a prominent Virginian chooses to engage in hate-filled rhetoric that divides us and has the potential to fuel real discord in our polity, leaders cannot remain silent. That is why I am calling on Mr. Robertson to apologize to my constituents – Muslim and non-Muslim – for the hurt he has caused and the damage he has done. It is a week overdue.
