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Who is Mark Robinson? The GOP nominee for North Carolina governor has a history of inflammatory remarks
Washington — When Mark Robinson, the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, took the podium earlier this month after winning the Republican nomination for governor, he pledged not to allow his campaign to be dragged “into the mud.” But in the two weeks since the primary, inflammatory remarks he’s made on a range of topics have been rapidly resurfacing, flagged by reporters and opponents.
Robinson’s inflammatory comments have spanned a number of topics, but he’s been especially vocal on LGBTQ+ issues. At a church service last year, Robinson said he feels “sick” when he sees a church flying a rainbow pride flag, which he called “a direct spit in the face of God almighty.” He’s said that there’s no reason that children should be taught about “transgenderism, homosexuality — any of that filth.” He also said that “if there’s a movement in this country that is demonic and that is full of the spirit of antichrist, it is the transgender movement.” And he’s claimed that “we have pushed homosexuality over the top,” predicting in a Facebook post, “Mark my words PEDOPHILLA is next, which will be closely followed by the END of civilization as we know it.”
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He has also made multiple derogatory comments about Islam, among them, expressing disappointment that religious freedom applies to Muslims and claiming that “Radical” Muslims “like cuttin’ folks into pieces.”
Robinson, a 55-year-old who formerly worked in furniture manufacturing, has served as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor since 2021. A pro-gun rights speech he made five years ago at a city council meeting went viral online and helped kickstart his political career. Before he was elected, he’d made many inflammatory comments in posts on social media. And since then, he’s used similar rhetoric during appearances at church services or at political events.
One quote that attracted attention in recent days has appeared to be taken out of context, though. During a 2020 event, Robinson said he wants “to go back to the America where women couldn’t vote,” but that appeared to be a response to a question about whether he would prefer to go back to that time or a time when “Black people were swinging from cheap trees.” He answered that he would prefer the former, clarifying that at the time, Republicans “fought for real social change.”
But Robinson has made plenty of other controversial remarks elsewhere.
The lieutenant governor has suggested that feminism was created by the devil and equated it to racism. He’s also said “it’s not your body anymore,” fiercely opposing women seeking abortion. He has acknowledged paying for an abortion for his wife before they were married more than 30 years ago, noting it was the “wrong” decision.
He’s called climate change research “junk science.” And he’s openly backed conspiracy theories, saying in a Facebook post in 2017 that he’s “seriously skeptical” of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, suggesting that he distrusted accounts of the events because they were “on television.” As lieutenant governor, however, Robinson last September praised “the heroes who ran towards danger, the lives tragically cut short, and the stories of unity that emerged from the rubble.”
He’s also quoted Hitler, without context. More recently, in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Robinson has been criticized for inflammatory comments he made in the past that are widely seen as minimizing the Holocaust. But he said that although the comments were poorly worded, “there was never any anti-semitism intended from those words, and there’s never been any antisemitism within me.”
How the rhetoric impacts his campaign remains to be seen. The lieutenant governor’s opponents shared some of his comments in advertisements ahead of the nominating contest. But that didn’t stop him from earning around two-thirds of the vote in the primary, which came after a key endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Robinson, who would become the first Black governor of North Carolina if elected, earned the backing of Trump days ahead of the primary contest. Trump celebrated Robinson, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids.” Robinson has also made disparaging remarks about the Civil Rights movement, claiming that “so many freedoms were lost.”
The race for the governor’s mansion is expected to be widely watched — and expensive — with Robinson set to face off in a close race against North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, in November.
Like Robinson’s primary opponents, Stein is expected to highlight the lieutenant governor’s controversial comments ahead of November’s election. Stein said in a social media post that although many people may have just learned about Robinson in recent days, as his comments have become a punchline in some late-night comedy shows, “for North Carolinians, his rhetoric of hatred and vitriol is no joke — and we can’t let him win.”
In a statement to CBS News, Robinson’s campaign said “there is no low to which the Democrats will not stoop to smear Mark Robinson.”
“The only extremist in this race is Josh Stein,” said Mike Lonergan, the campaign’s communications director, saying that Stein supports President Biden’s “open-borders policies” and is backed by “far-left radicals.” “North Carolina voters have had enough of the lies from career politicians like Joe Biden and Josh Stein.”
Stein and Robinson are competing for the post currently held by Gov. Roy Cooper, a term-limited Democrat. While Democrats have frequently won gubernatorial races in North Carolina, voters have largely elected Republicans to other offices in recent years and have voted for Republicans in the presidential elections since 2012.
A win by Robinson could lock in a GOP trifecta in North Carolina, with both chambers of the legislature controlled by Republicans. But some Republicans, eager to get the governor’s mansion back, have warned that Robinson could be a liability.
“Robinson is not the Republican formula,” said Mac McCorkle, a professor at Duke University who worked as an issues consultant to political candidates in North Carolina. “He rocks the boat on a daily basis.”
North Carolina is expected to be a major battleground state this year, after it had among the closest margins of any state Trump won in 2020. Trump’s victory in North Carolina appeared to set up Republican victories down the ticket, except in places where Democrats were already well known. But McCorkle said the question this year will be whether the ticket below Trump is “so explosive” that it might even hurt Trump.
“If people see Robinson as just another Trump candidate, that’s one thing,” McCorkle said, noting that Trump won the state twice. “But the interesting thing is, if you just look at their positions, Robinson goes way further on lots of issues than Trump.”
The months ahead will likely be a test of restraint for Robinson, who political analysts expect to tone down the rhetoric as the general election gets underway, as he looks to appeal to North Carolinians outside of his base.
“Whether he can be disciplined enough to do that is a question. But it may be [that] it won’t matter,” McCorkle said. “The overwhelming amount of nonstop comments that he’s made and the extreme nature of them — it’s going to be hard for him to run away from them.”
CBS News
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in a game today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Patriots have had an uneven season so far, coming into the game with a record of 3-8, including a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 17. The Dolphins, however, haven’t fared much better this season as they enter the game with a record of 4-6, although they are coming off two wins in a row, the latest against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even without cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today
The New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The football game will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ and the platforms noted below.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too for the Patriots-Dolphins game. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more