The San Francisco 49ers have their own Ray Rice problem. Defensive end Ray McDonald is under investigation for domestic violence stemming from an incident that occurred on August 31st. No charges have been filed and the investigation continues, but given the recent events surrounding former Baltimore Ravens’ running back Ray Rice, and the horrible way in which the NFL handled that situation, a bright media spotlight is blaring on anything pro-football and domestic violence.

But the 49ers have refused to punish McDonald until authorities investigate the case.

He played in their first game last Sunday without much outrage.

Then Monday the Ray Rice video the leaked and everything changed, at least politically. Case in point: California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom and his wife released a statement calling for the team to bench McDonald. Newsom, the former Mayor of San Francisco, wrote on Facebook, “The City and County of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area has long stood staunchly on the forefront of domestic violence awareness and prevention. That’s why the 49ers’ continued insistence on playing Ray McDonald during his ongoing criminal investigation is a painful affront to every victim of domestic violence and sends a troubling message to our community and especially our children that ‘zero tolerance’ are empty words, not real actions.”

He wasn’t done. He continued, “In light of the increased public awareness of this issue in the wake of the horrific Ray Rice assault and today’s decision by the Carolina Panthers to deactivate Greg Hardy, we strongly urge the 49er organization we grew up revering to do the right thing — right now — and bench Ray McDonald, pending the outcome of his felony domestic violence investigation by San Jose law enforcement.”

See, the disgusting nature of the Ray Rice video, and the fact that the Carolina Panthers deactivated one of their players facing similar charges, means the 49ers should follow suit and act preemptively, according to Newsom.

But this statement leads to one question – Where was the Lt. Gov. last week?

Last week, when McDonald played in the 49ers’ opening game of the season, Gavin Newsom was silent. Did Gavin Newsom not care about domestic violence victims until the nation saw a video of it? Or is he just taking advantage of an opportunity that presented itself because of the video? Given Newsom’s history with women, having had an affair with the wife of one of his close friends and top aides, it’s easy to see Newsom as an opportunist…mostly because he is.

Newsom is running for reelection against Republican Ron Nehring, and made a complete fool of himself in a debate with Adam Carolla last year, so he needs some good publicity.

I am all for railing against domestic violence, it’s disgusting. But I’m all for consistency too, especially from politicians. And I’m all against opportunism, especially the naked kind on display from Gavin Newsom today.

If you’re so disgusted by the actions of Ray McDonald, Mr. Lt. Gov., where were you when it happened? Where was your statement last week? Or do you only “care” about an issue when people are paying attention to it?

I highly recommend anyone living in California listen to this debate Newsom got into with Adam Carolla. It’s long, but it’s well worth it. If you don’t live in California but know someone who does, send this too them. The state is very liberal and elected him with full knowledge of his scumbag personal life, but his opportunism on domestic violence and absolute inability to answer basic question raised in his debate with Carolla might wake up a few people and help save the state from repeating this mistake again.

Listen to Gavin Newsom get destroyed by Adam Carolla.