Is Mark Robinson a GOP fluke or an inevitability of MAGA conservatism?
Revelations about the North Carolina Republican's porn forum comments are shocking, but for those who've followed the gubernatorial candidate's career in politics, they're not necessarily a surprise
The allegations were salacious. The fallout, immediate.
It's been just days since CNN published a deeply reported story detailing the wildly offensive comments allegedly left on an adult website's message board by North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson. In that short time, the state's already-contentious 2024 governor's race has been upended, as strategists from both parties scramble to recalibrate with less than two months until election day. Robinson, currently serving as North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor, has denied the allegations that he called himself a "black Nazi" who endorsed slavery, describing CNN's report as "tabloid trash" while vowing to remain in the race against Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein.
As damning as CNN's report may be — and as politically damaging as it may become for Robinson — the controversy swirling around his increasingly radioactive candidacy is not, in and of itself, wholly new. For years, Robinson has worked to move past his documented history of making nakedly racist and bigoted remarks towards Jewish people, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. There have also been claims of a significant pornography addiction prior to his time in politics. Nevertheless, North Carolina Republicans nominated Robinson to run for governor by a margin of more than three to one, raising a larger, if more nebulous question.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
How does someone like Robinson become a high level GOP candidate, and is he really as much of an aberration in conservative politics as many Republicans are now claiming?
What did the commentators say?
That Robinson, who first garnered political attention for an impassioned speech in favor of gun rights at a Greensboro, NC city council meeting, has been within striking distance of high elected office is "representative of an interesting pattern within the modern Republican Party," The American Prospect said. It's a pattern wherein one can "earn fame within the party for incendiary comments but are soon forced to backtrack once they’re in the national spotlight." Robinson is similarly indicative of the fact that the "Republican insistence on nominating crazy people elsewhere affects us all," said Charles Pierce at Esquire. While previous GOP candidates with their own list of controversies may have seemed at the time to be "one step beyond," Robinson is proof that "there is no Beyond," and "should stay on the ballot" as "the perfect GOP candidate for 2024."
"Republicans knew Robinson was a problematic candidate," said Noah Rothman at the National Review. "They just didn't care." In spite of being an "unnecessary risk" electorally, North Carolina voters "were persuaded to haul the baggage Robinson brought with him onto their own backs because Donald Trump insisted on it." Republicans "routinely looked past Robinson's breathtaking hypocrisy," and — prior to last week's report — "held him up as a champion" and an "example of America at its finest," Billy Ball said at MSNBC. The question ultimately becomes one of whether the GOP is "suffering primarily from a candidate quality problem or a base voter problem" said The Bulwark.
Others, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have attempted to balance distancing themselves and the party from Robinson, while retaining the capacity to support him should his political fortunes change. "Should every Republican in the country be held responsible for this guy?," said Graham during a recent interview with NBC's Kristen Welker. "I would say no." At the same time, Robinson has an "obligation" to defend himself against CNN's recent reporting.
What next?
Robinson's extremism is a "bit much even for the modern-day GOP," and his "campaign appears to be in freefall" after CNN's investigation, said New York magazine. The real question is whether that free fall will affect Robinson alone, or drag other Republicans down with him. National GOP groups are already "pulling financial support" for Robinson's campaign, CNN said. Even Donald Trump's campaign is "alarmed" at the idea that Robinson's "political baggage and incendiary rhetoric will be a drag" on the presidential ticket, Axios said.
Republicans seem "uninterested in trying to change the dynamic" that led to Robinson's ascension through the GOP ranks, The Bulwark said. That disinterest means "more often situations like this will cause headaches for party bosses around the country." Robinson's scandal might close the "pipeline from viral comments at city council meetings to running for the highest office in a swing state," The American Prospect said. But "given the dynamics in the Republican Party, maybe not."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Top cooking shows for foodies
The Week Recommends From Bake Off to Chef's Table, these mouth-watering TV shows will inspire you in the kitchen
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The four presidents who were assassinated in office
The Explainer The unlucky men who fell victim to successful plots against their lives
By David Faris Published
-
Canada's carbon tax in the crosshairs
Under the radar PM Justin Trudeau's flagship green policy has become increasingly unpopular as citizens grapple with high inflation and cost-of-living crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
When does early voting start in swing states?
The explainer Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
By David Faris Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Pompous, unquestioning belief'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Who is Trump associate Laura Loomer?
In the Spotlight Why Republicans are nervous that their nominee is taking advice from a conspiracy theorist
By David Faris Published
-
NC candidate said he was 'Black Nazi' on porn site
Speed Read North Carolina GOP governor nominee Mark Robinson made a series of disturbing comments on a message board
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Leaked memo adds to speculation of Justice Roberts' MAGA stance
In the Spotlight A new report details how Roberts has allegedly gotten closer to former President Donald Trump
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'We simply haven't built enough new housing'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-