Editorial: Lt. Gov. Robinson's 'acting' isn't worth an encore

CBC Editorial: Friday, Oct. 13, 2023; editorial #8882

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

Seldom would the word “acting” be more appropriately applied than to the latest role of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as “acting” governor of North Carolina. And the reviews are in.

His cynical and opportunistic performance Thursday trivialized the horrors the world is witnessing in the Gaza Strip and the bordering areas in Israel. This show exposed the depths of Robinson’s unrepentant antisemitism and hateful comments concerning Jews – which he refused to apologize for when offered opportunities.

This wasn’t any sincere expression of solidarity with the victims of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust; nor an act of sympathy for all the innocent victims in this awful eruption hostilities; or even a plea for peace.

It was a transparent and Pyrrhic play of political one-upmanship.

No one should take seriously a “proclamation” of a week of solidarity with Israel, from someone “acting” as North Carolina’s governor who repeatedly declined and side-stepped opportunities to refute and apologize for his many publicly expressed antisemitic views.

“There is no antisemitism standing in front of you,” said the “acting” governor.

Only those who embrace antisemitism would utter the kinds of hate he has posted in social media and then, as he did Thursday, pass them off as “poorly worded.” Calling the Holocaust – the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews -- “hoghwash” is not merely inelegant verbiage. It is hate speech.

“I’ve never been antisemitic,” Robinson said Thursday. He is not telling the truth. Want to know the truth? Check here and here.

Is it possible that Robinson has had a change of heart and that his expressions of hatred no longer reflect his beliefs?

If it is, then he shouldn’t pass off his past hate speech as merely poor wording.

Mark Robinson’s “acting” performance was not believable. It is as simple as that. No curtain calls earned here.

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