What They Are Saying: Ralph Northam’s Pipeline Problems Continue To Divide Virginia Democrats

Virginia Democrats’ attempts to unite around Ralph Northam are already off to a poor start as energy pipeline questions continue to plague the party’s new gubernatorial nominee. After Commonwealth voters cast their ballots on Tuesday with no idea whether Northam supports or opposes pipeline construction, protesters hijacked his victory party to demand he give them a straight answer on the topic. The debacle made its way on to television news reports around the state, highlighting what will surely continue to be a source of division for Democrats through the November election as Ralph Northam continues to dodge, duck, and evade any questions on the topic. Here are some highlights of recent coverage:

ABC News in Washington D.C. reported that pipeline demonstrators interrupted Northam’s event, noting that he still “has not endorsed or condemned” pipeline projects:

On CBS Roanoke, a reporter covering the protesters stated that “Northam may have some work ahead of him to bridge divisions in his party,” mentioning that Tom Perriello was firmly against pipeline projects while Northam refused to take a stand:

In its report, ABC’s Hampton Roads Affiliate said “this was not supposed to happen,” noting the Northam campaign’s attempts to cover the protesters’ signs and remove them:

Protesters interviewed after the event made clear that they “aren’t going anywhere” and that they would continue to push Northam on the issue as the Democrats’ nominee: