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Asymmetry is even more evident when we look at wall-to-wall coverage of what Northam did more than 30 years ago compared to yawns about Cindy Hyde-Smith’s racism during the 2018 campaign. Not one Republican calling for Northam to go have called for any action against Hyde-Smith.
A few more reflections: journalists and their editors love a Death Watch story; when a public figure is being pressured to resign, they mobilize-crews and reporters swooping down on lawmakers and others to demand their views, a countdown to the end result.
If there is a resignation they pivot to the next story. If there isn't going to be one, they lose interest. Journalists also love internecine warfare, a party divided or attacking one of their own. Republicans know both of these things.
So when King or Hyde-Smith or DeSantis- or Trump for that matter-- do not get a drumbeat from prominent Republicans to step down, the story disappears quickly. Democrats operate differently, and conservative activists know this too. No secret that Roger Stone had a role on timing
..of Al Franken story, or that right-wing outlets broke the Northam tale. And they know that when something like this happens, it is more than likely that prominent Democrats will quickly condemn and make the story a death watch causing the intense coverage
This can lead to tensions within the party, an ignominious departure of a major figure, and, just as important, less attention to other stories. Like thousands more children separated from families and an administration saying they can't or won't do a thing
Of course, there is another outcome from the Death Watch intense coverage. There is little opportunity to step back and assess things like context or to calibrate. When did offenses occur, what is the appropriate response; there is no waiting for more information to emerge
None of this is to exculpate Northam; his cringeworthy press conference made the situation far worse for him. And even if the blackface incident he admitted to happened thirty years ago, it is not excusable. If blackface was common in the 1930s, it was anything but in the 80s.
Conservatives also know that their tribal media, from Fox to talk radio, will not go after one of their own. They did not attack Hyde-Smith, or do anything on the blackface of the Covington kids. But MSNBC and CNN will jump on the Dems who get caught in the death watch
One last point. The outrage by partisans against one of their own is also somewhat selective. Calls for resignation occur more readily when the replacement is from the same party. Look at the contrast between Franken and Menendez. It is not all cynical. But it is not all pure!
