We first reported last night on Republican Senator George Allen of Virginia coming under fire for a remark made to a supporter of his Democratic opponent, Jim Webb, at a rally in Breaks, Virginia, on the far western edge of the state. As updated, Allen apologized yesterday, but the flap continues.
Washington Post reporters Michael D. Shear and Tim Craig continue their coverage:
Sen. George Allen on Tuesday sought to contain the political damage from remarks he made to a Fairfax County man that dredged up charges of racial insensitivity -- allegations that have dogged him for years as governor, senator and now presidential hopeful.
Despite a quick apology Monday, criticism poured in about Allen's use of the word "Macaca" to address a volunteer for the campaign of his Democratic opponent, James Webb, and also about another Allen comment, "Welcome to America." Democrats, left-wing bloggers and civil rights groups called him "insensitive" and "racist," while some conservatives called him "foolish" and "mean."The question was fiercely debated all day: Was "Macaca," which literally means a genus of monkey, a deliberate racist epithet or a weird ad-libbed word with no meaning? And what was Allen trying to say by singling out the young man of Indian descent?
Read the rest at the link above.
Has Allen derailed his chances at the 2008 Republican nomination? It certainly plays into an ongoing thread of accusations, dating back to his wearing a Confederate flag lapel pin as a high school senior in California to his strong interest in the "Old South" and history of the era, which has often been portrayed as indicative of "racial insensitivity." The charge is so nebulous it is difficult to defend against.
In any case, it seems unlikely it would be enough, on its own, to cost him his Senate seat. Allen's won twice statewide, for Governor and Senator, and his opponent has no significant political experience.
Naturally, it is the Webb campaign's interest, and in the perceived interests of Democrats looking to derail a potential Republican Presidential nominee in advance, to keep the whole thing in the forefront of the news as long as possible.
So far, that's working out pretty well for them.
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Filed under:
2006 Senate Race, 2008 Presidential Race, Crazy Talk, Virginia
Comments (2)
Much how Kenneth Starr and ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Anastasia Meadors | August 16, 2006 5:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Much how Kenneth Starr and the Republicans were able to derail Bill Clinton's presidency?
Please, let's not pretend that Republicans aren't up to the same political tactics that Democrats are. Both parties do whatever they can to win.
To pretend this is to be delusional.
1. Posted by Anastasia Meadors | August 16, 2006 5:17 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 16, 2006 17:17
2. Posted by Jim Addison | August 17, 2006 2:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think all credit for any damage to Clinton's Presidency belongs solely in Mr. Clinton's column.
After all, it was he who requested an independent counsel be appointed, and everyone in the Administration hailed the appointment of the highly respected Judge Starr to the post. That was before they figured out he intended to actually do the job to which he was appointed, of course.
Now, Allen likewise gets the credit for his own problems, but as James Taranto pointed out, it's pretty much a "kerfluffle over nothing."
2. Posted by Jim Addison | August 17, 2006 2:14 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 17, 2006 02:14