George Allen and racism

[PenforPrez]

Is anybody else paying attention to this situation in Virginia? George Allen, the Republican Senator from Virginia who is up for re-election this year, made a statement about a campaign worker for his opponent that many consider a racist slur.

Do you all think Senator Allen's comment was racist?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081801505_pf.html

I'm personally interested in this because there's a lot of talk of George Allen running for President, and he was who I expected to win the '08 Republican nomination. I don't think he will, now.

Paul

[Krishna]

At the very best I find it idiotic and uneducated. At the worst, I find it racist. Either way, the guy shouldnt be a public figure of any sort, much less a leader.

[cheshrcarol]

I saw the video of the "macaca" incident and it was quite obviously both ignorant AND racist. I was kind of skeptical before I saw it, but he definitely knew he was calling the kid a name and the "welcome to america" thing was outrageous. He also jpointed the guy out ande started talking to him in the middle of talking about terrorists.

Honestly, if this guy becomes the republican nominee, all the better for the democrats.

[cheshrcarol]

Here, check out the video (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2006/08/14/VI2006081400598.html) for yourself.

[PenforPrez]

I saw the video of the "macaca" incident and it was quite obviously both ignorant AND racist. I was kind of skeptical before I saw it, but he definitely knew he was calling the kid a name and the "welcome to america" thing was outrageous.

I think so too. It revealed more than that to me. It revealed a lot of racist tendencies on Allen's part, in my opinion. Just the flippant, nonchalant way Allen said that tipped me off to it.

Besides that, George Allen is accusing James Webb's campaign of anti-Semitism, and not without justification. James Webb (an ex-Republican) was not the best person the VA Democrats could have picked.

Honestly, if this guy becomes the republican nominee, all the better for the democrats.

I was betting on Allen; not anymore. This incident has sunk him for good as far as the Presidency. Unfortunately, I think Allen will win re-election to the Senate anyway; Virginia outside the perpetually-expanding DC metro is more conservative than the Democrats like to think. I present Mark Warner (a VERY pro-gun, more pro-business Democrat) as prima facie evidence.

My GOP nomination pick now is Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas (especially if KS governor Kathleen Sebelius becomes a VP possibility for the Democrats. Please, God!). I've figured all along it would be either Allen or Brownback; Allen's done now with this.

Paul

[Wolfpack21]

It was pretty much a racist comment. However, he's done some good in the state and his views are still highly regarded for the most part around the state. He'll recover from this, though it was surely a blow to his campaign. Besides, there are plenty of people who don't even know what the word means and even fewer who paid attention to it. I still think at heart he's a good guy.

[Wolfpack21]

I think so too. It revealed more than that to me. It revealed a lot of racist tendencies on Allen's part, in my opinion. Just the flippant, nonchalant way Allen said that tipped me off to it.

Besides that, George Allen is accusing James Webb's campaign of anti-Semitism, and not without justification. James Webb (an ex-Republican) was not the best person the VA Democrats could have picked.



I was betting on Allen; not anymore. This incident has sunk him for good as far as the Presidency. Unfortunately, I think Allen will win re-election to the Senate anyway; Virginia outside the perpetually-expanding DC metro is more conservative than the Democrats like to think. I present Mark Warner (a VERY pro-gun, more pro-business Democrat) as prima facie evidence.

My GOP nomination pick now is Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas (especially if KS governor Kathleen Sebelius becomes a VP possibility for the Democrats. Please, God!). I've figured all along it would be either Allen or Brownback; Allen's done now with this.

Paul

Mark Warner was one democrat who I gave quite a bit of support to. He was pro on several conservative issues and was still able to connect well with all citizens of Virginia. Not all conservatives are as conservative as most would like to think. Especially ones with families. Regardless of what statistics say, most are moderate in some form or another.

[PenforPrez]

Mark Warner was one democrat who I gave quite a bit of support to. He was pro on several conservative issues and was still able to connect well with all citizens of Virginia. Not all conservatives are as conservative as most would like to think. Especially ones with families. Regardless of what statistics say, most are moderate in some form or another.

Oh yeah. Mark Warner forced the NRA to stay out of his 2001 governor's race. That attracted my attention. And I'm still watching. ANY Democrat who can get the NRA to sit out earns my full attention.

Paul

[lonestar]

this politician seems like a real idiot...oh wait, of course he's an idiot...he's a fucking politician.