Kerby Anderson

The political drama in Virginia might just be a preview of a wild, contentious Democratic primary. In fact, Rich Lowry believes we might be seeing the beginning of the first “woke” primary.

To be “woke” is to be alert and sensitive to any injustice, whether real or perceived. A governor had an image of someone in “blackface” in his medical-school yearbook. That apparently was enough to call for his resignation.

Democrats in Virginia faced a growing problem. The publication of an image in “blackface” in the governor’s yearbook was followed by the admission from the attorney general that he had used “blackface” as well. All the while, accusations were swirling around the lieutenant governor who was accused of sexual assault. We have been told to “believe all women.” If so, then he would have to go as well.

The controversy in Virginia is merely a preview of a “woke” primary where any mistake or misjudgment, even in the distant past, can be disqualifying. Any misstep will be viewed through the most hostile lens from a radicalized base of Democratic voters. Rich Lowry concludes: “The Democrat nomination battle might as well be fought on the campus of Oberlin College and officiated by the director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”

White male candidates don’t stand a chance. Senator Elizabeth Warren has been criticized for pretending to be a Native American and forced to apologize. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was confronted on television because a number of years ago she used the term “illegal alien.” She said she was embarrassed and forced to apologize for a term that was in common usage at the time. Even Senator Kamala Harris has been criticized because she was once a prosecutor.

This may become the most controversial primary season we have ever seen in America.