WP,pg1: Allen Flap May Give a Boost to Webb: Va. Dems Gain Support

[DeepModem Mom]

Allen Flap May Give A Boost To Webb
Reenergized Va. Democrats Gain Support
By Tim Craig and Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, August 19, 2006; Page A01

RICHMOND -- The nationwide fallout from controversial remarks Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) made last week has given Democrats new hope in a race many thought would be difficult to win in the historically conservative state.

Before Allen insulted a native Fairfax County man of Indian descent, many Democratic officials were privately doubtful that James Webb could mount an aggressive challenge to the former governor and possible 2008 presidential candidate.

But Allen's remarks to S.R. Sidarth, 20 -- which included saying "welcome to America" -- are generating new support for the Webb campaign and energizing Democratic activists.

"Before this week, I thought it would be a very tough race for Jim Webb," said Martin Tillett, a self-described Democrat who is vice president of the Spring Bank Community Association in Fairfax County. He had already opposed Allen for his conservative positions. "This week has just added fuel on the fire as far as I am concerned," he said.

Even Northern Virginia Republicans who support Allen say they are a bit worried....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081801505.html

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. How about a rebel yell for WEBB!!!!!!!!!

[krispos42]

6. How about a ululation?

A-le-le-le-le-le-le-le-le!

Allen, being half Tunisian, will understand that better!

[MADem]

2. Awwww, ya 'spose Feeeeeeelix looks in the mirror and sees this, by any

chance?? Is Feeeeeelix a sad little monkey lately???

[w4rma]

3. Felix is a racist. (nt)

[LibDemAlways]

4. What is doubly offensive about Allen's "welcome to America

macaca" comment, obviously intended as an insult to a dark-skinned young man in front of a bunch of freeper-types, is that his own mother is an immigrant from Tunisia whose family came to the US to escape the Nazis. You'd think this son of an immigrant would know better. Instead, he seems to revel in being a racist asshole.

[NoodleyAppendage]

5. He grew up knowing that Macaca was a racist term...it was no accident.

I think Allen was banking on others not knowing the derivation of the term, Macaca. It's pretty clear that he was pandering to a group of backwoods VA. Repukes, for whom the presence of someone of "color" is not a welcome one.

J

[lanlady]

7. How can anybody support Allen--

--before or since that offensive remark? He's a blathering, inarticulate, vacuous idiot!

Plus, let's not forget that Allen unseated Chuck Robb, so we do have a precedent in this state of giving Senators the boot in favor of someone from the opposing party. Add to that the fact that Northern Va. with its growing population seems to lean Democratic. I think this is a VERY competitive race, and I don't understand why the Dem Party hadn't noticed that til Allen's racist gaffe.

[Pab Sungenis]

8. Still too early in the race.

The people who are incensed by it will have forgotten it by November, and the racists have just united even stronger behind Webb.

Remember, this is the South we're talking about. The frustrated, lower-class white voters who might have sat out this election now have a reason to go to the polls: Allen is one of them.

[FSogol]

9. Gov Tim Kaine took the Commonwealth by winning

Northern VA, including typically red Prince William County which has a fast growing immigrant population. Webb should win these areas. Kaine also won the VA Beach, Newport News, and Norfolk areas which are pro-military areas. Webb will win these areas also. Virginia has changed too much in the past two decades to elect fake cowboy Felix even with the racist voters in his pocket.

My 2 cents.

[Olney Blue]

10. I don't think Virginia will let this stand.

[Pab Sungenis]

11. I hope you're right.

But I have my concerns.

[Olney Blue]

12. We certainly can't take anything for granted. I'm sending money

to Webb. I don't want Allen's sleaze cross-contaminating the Maryland border!