Why does Joe Morrissey seem to have such support in the black community?

Since I moved to Virginia three years ago, he has been involved in one scandal after another.

As I understand it, he is the father now of four children out of wedlock. He has been to jail several times, and even served in the House of Delegates while on work release from a conviction for having sex with an underage girl. He had to wear an ankle monitor as he cast votes in the House. As a lawyer, he has been disbarred in the past for his misconduct.

And now, after months and months of denial, he finally admits that he fathered a child by a teenager and says he, a middle-aged man, plans to marry this girl, who is young enough to be his daughter.

He seems to have absolutely no impulse control, an ego that is massive, deep character flaws and, lastly, no shame. Why he has a cadre of supporters in the black community, I don’t know.

I sincerely doubt that a black politician with a similar list of unseemly actions would engender such loyalty in either the black or white communities. So why does Mr. Morrissey get a free pass?

The photograph that he recently released with his teenage paramour and their baby in 19th century attire was offensive on many levels.

Everything I have read about him or heard from him tells me that he is not a man that I can trust or respect. Nor is he someone that I would want representing me in our state government. And as the father of two daughters, his continued presence on the public stage outrages, offends and sickens me.

When I see him standing at a press conference with a host of black leaders and clergy behind him, I become embarrassed and disgusted.

He needs to just go away, take care of all of his children and stay out of the public eye.

MARC A. BOOKER

Chesterfield County