George "Macaca" Allen Campaign Manager Retracts Apology

[BurtWorm]

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/8/22/142134/457

by Matt Stoller, Tue Aug 22, 2006 at 02:21:34 PM EST

Allen campaign manager Dick Wadhams just put this memo out. He blames the media, pundits, Democrats, liberal groups, and Moveon.org for Allen's racist gaffe. He says that it's the Democrats that are playing the race card.

The only person who isn't to blame, in fact, is saintly George Allen, who made a simple mistake for which he should be forgiven.

Reading this memo, it's become clear that George Allen isn't sorry for his racist comment. Allen put out some soft words to appease those who are uncomfortable with racism, but is also allowing his campaign manager to embrace the full-throated repudiation of that fake apology.

As long as Wadhams is George Allen's campaign manager, we'll know that Allen stands behind his racist quip. No longer is this simply a single weeklong story; with this memo, Wadhams has retroactively justified the racist attitude of his candidate, who of course has done nothing wrong. Since this guy is managing Allen's campaign, Allen clearly agrees. On the off-chance Allen is genuinely sorry for his comment, Allen would need to fire Wadhams. It's that simple.

The memo is on the flip.

Memo from Dick Wadhams
Memorandum

To: GOP leaders/Allen campaign leadership
From: Dick Wadhams, Campaign Manager
Re: Notes on a tough week
August 19, 2006

I think it is obvious that this past week was difficult one for Senator and Mrs. Allen and the campaign. It is very clear that the news media created what they call a "feeding frenzy", with the Washington Post alone doing major stories on the same issue for 5 consecutive days.

Literally putting words into Senator Allen's mouth that he did not say (by speculating, defining and attributing meanings and motives that simply are not true), the Webb campaign and the news media seeming worked hand-in-hand to create national news over something that did not warrant coverage in the first place.

Even after Senator Allen apologized to the Webb campaign staffer in specific, and to anyone who may have been offended in general, the news media continued to print and re-print the same speculations and inaccurate portrayals of Senator Allen's comments. Never in modern times has a statewide officeholder and candidate been so vilified in a desperate attempt to revive a campaign that was fast-sinking - the Webb campaign.

Senator Allen has said that his comments were a mistake. Who among us has not made mistakes? In fact, how many of us could put in the hours of work, travel, meetings, campaigning, etc. that Senator Allen has over the years and make as few mistakes as he has?

Apparently the media's standard for candidates is now that they must be perfect, not human, and that no mistake or verbal gaffe is to be forgiven, no matter how much the candidate apologize. Will the Washington Post hold it's candidate for the U.S. Senate to the same standard? We will see, but I'm not holding my breath.

The bottom line for us, friends, is that same as it has always been. We cannot rely on the news media to get our positive, constructive message out to the voters. In fact, we cannot expect them to be objective, let along fair. As always, we have to do it together, getting our message directly to the voters.

Senator Allen has a long, positive, successful track record as a member of the House of Delegates and House of Representatives, as our Governor and now as our United States Senator.

There is hardly a place you can go in the Commonwealth that Senator Allen has not visited at least once or touched in some way. Senator Allen and Susan Allen have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of Virginians through their public service and volunteer activities. This is evident to anyone who has participated in a Listening Tour stop this year.

He was there long before his opponent discovered there were such places in Virginia. And, he will be there long after his opponent has faded from the scene.

Looking Ahead

There is no question that this is a tough year to run for the Senate as a Republican. The Democrats and their liberal constituency groups, such as MoveOn.org, are pouring millions of dollars into television attack ads, seeking to take control of the Senate and House. Rep. Thelma Drake has already been a target of their vicious attacks. We expect to see Senator Allen attacked in the same way.

The reason the Democrats run such negative campaigns and always play the race card, is that they have no positive ideas to run on. That is as true this year as in any other. The fact that they have attempted to make race an issue so early in the campaign is evidence of just how desperate they are.

Senator Allen summarizes his public service as making Virginia a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family. And, that's what this campaign is all about.

Senator Allen will win because he is right on the issues. He will win because he has done a great job as Senator and Governor. He will win because he has stayed in touch with Virginians and been responsive to their needs. He will win because he and Susan will work harded than anyone to get the job done.

And, Senator Allen will win because of your help and support. Now is the time to rally for Senator Allen and our Congressional candidates. Now is the time to get our positive message out door-to- door, by telephone and at fairs, festivals and meetings of all sizes.

You are the secret weapon that Senator Allen has always confounded the pundtis with.

Let's show the liberal interest groups that by coming to Virginia, they have gotten more than they bargained for and that they need not bother us ever again!

Dick Wadhams, Campaign Manager

[wicket]

1. Wow, what a piece of shit

But we knew that already.

[liberaldemocrat7]

20. The NEW REPUBLIKLAN Party

similar to the old confederate states of america.

Don't forget Jim Webb served as Navy Secretary in the Reagan administration. I don't see how much of a real Democrat he will function as. Let us hope he does not act as a DINO.

[calimary]

67. Such fun to see how they whine and complain when our side has

the nerve to pour millions of dollars into MoveOn-type ads, and the Washington Post covers allen's idiocy for - wow - five straight days! And allen's apologist here says the poor unfortunate misunderstood would-be future president was misquoted, words put into his mouth! Oh, WOE! Oh, the HUMANITY!

BLEEEEEAAAHHHHH!!!

They sure don't like it when they get a taste of their own medicine. Moan and groan! Oh, it's so unfair! Boo-fucking-hoo. They can sure dish it out, but they cannot take it! Which makes it all the more pleasureful to see them squirm when it's forced back upon them. Well-deserved, I'd say. Uh - mr. allen, you know the old cliche about what you need to do if you can't stand the heat...

[Der Blaue Engel]

2. Where are so many Republicans named Dick? n/t

[UrbScotty]

6. And Dick DeVos

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/ih8thegop/67

[Richard Steele]

42. Hey!

:rofl:

[civildisoBDence]

65. Not just Dick, but

Dick Wadhams.

What a dickwad.

News and commentary, left to right

[IntravenousDemilo]

104. Dick Wadhams is just his porn name.

His last movie was the suck-and-fuck epic, "Log Cabin Boys III", where he does a ten-minute, down-and-dirty threeway with Jimmy-Joe-Jeff Gannon-Guckert and "Colon" Powell. It was not well reviewed.

[madame defarge]

3. Ah, so the video evidence is wrong...

Interesting how that happens with these guys... Sheesh.

[Mabus]

4. So, basically, we can't trust anything Allen says?

and up is down and square is round in his world :eyes:

[movonne]

39. How about flip-flop...(on of their favorite)

[Mabus]

40. I keep forgetting, "short and simple" or they lose interest

:eyes:

I blame "Sesame Street". I think that's why so many people have short attention spans. Their parents kept putting them in front of the television and, as a result, they think in short, snappy bytes rather than being able to focus for more than a minute at a time.

[DWilliamsamh]

75. Leave Sesame Street out of this....

1st it's above the heads of the average Republican voter - and it was even when they were small.

2nd there are actually many longer segments in terms of the actual normal attention span of a pre-school child - the target audience.

MTV is MUCH more to blame for the short attention span of.... oh look there's something shiny.............

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

102. And WWF/WWE...

... fake "wrasslin' " and he/she who trash talks the most gets the most applause.

[gademocrat7]

5. what a sham.

I hope bad boy allen's days are numbered. Go Webb!

[RonHack]

70. Aren't you rooting for the wrong side?

Don't you mean, "Go Allen"?

We may be onto the next Dan Quayle here, folks!

Not QUITE as dysfunctional, but just as funny: "Epithet! Whoa, I didn't mean that, yes I did....."

Make way for the Grand Old Poop.

[meganmonkey]

7. Where exactly

is the retraction?

I think the title is a little misleading... Did I miss something?

[karlrschneider]

9. The retraction was for the so-called "apology", not the original remark

...

[BurtWorm]

12. Perhaps "retraction" is too strong.

It was Stoller's title (except for the "macaca").

In defense of it, the message of the memo is that Allen has nothing to be sorry about or for. It's all the media's fault.

[badgerpup]

85. Lemme see if I've got the sequence straight here...

OK...he calls Mr. Sidarth "Macaca" and makes an assumption about his citizenship.
Y'all know what they say about assuming...makes an ass out of u & me? Guess Allen never heard that one.

Implausible denial Explanation of what he really meant:
#1. "I actually said MOHAWK."
Mr. Sidarth's 'do' doesn't resemble a mohawk in any way, shape, or form...except in that he does indeed have hair on top of his head.
#2. "I just made up a word" Uh-huh.
#3. "It wasn't ME, I didn't say ANYTHING. It was the LIE-brul media putting words in my mouth."
:eyes: :wtf:


Is it just me, or is this guy starting to sound like one of the old SNL characters?
I'm just waiting for him to start muttering "yeah, that's the ticket..."

:popcorn:

[bigtree]

8. white house says he apologized

"Senator Allen apologized," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino. "And I think it's in everyone's best interest, in this day and age of politics when everyone is trying to improve the tone and discourse, to accept apologies when they're offered."

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/entresales/feeds/ap/2006/08/22/ap2966171.html

[BurtWorm]

13. Trying to have their cake and eat it.

[bigtree]

16. this opens them up to macaca questions

Helen? David?

[theanarch]

31. ah, the legandary skills of Mister Karl...

...keeping everyone on the same page...so, let's see: Allen says it. Then he says he didn't say it. Then he says he said it, but didn't mean it in the only way any reasonable person could possibly interpret it. Then the campaign issued a non-apology apology. When the gaffe wouldn't go away, they retracted the apology. Then, Thus Spake Rove: i'm telling you (through a minor press flack) that you apologised, and now i'm telling the M$M to accept it. What remains to be seen is if the bloggers can sustain the "issue" now that the M$M has been properly chastised by its master, and obediently feeds U.S. "child sex-stalker on a plane"...and people still wonder why i gave up watching television ten years ago...

[The Wizard]

35. Improve the tone"

Tell that one to the Nazi propagandist Rove.

[0007]

106. In this day & age who doesn't make a few mistakes?

Senator Allen has said that his comments were a mistake. Who among us has not made mistakes? In fact, how many of us could put in the hours of work, travel, meetings, campaigning, etc. that Senator Allen has over the years and make as few mistakes as he has?

Allen is dumber than dumb

[maddezmom]

10. that's rich

Typical repub...it's not his fault. :puke:

[Synnical]

11. Did a Sixth Grader write that?

The number of typos is simply astounding. And the WaPo has a Senatorial candidate!? :wow:

[progdonkey]

22. yeah, ever heard of "Spell Check"?

"no matter how much the candidate apologize"

"is that same as it has always been"

"let along fair"

And that's from just two paragraphs!

:rofl:

(Not to nitpick, but while we're on the subject of typos: exclamation points go after the question mark, as the idea is that the sentence is a question first and then given emphasis through the exclamation, as opposed to being an exclamation that is then turned into a question. ;-) )

[smtpgirl]

76. Those assholes are more concerned with getting

the word out, not that it shows intelligence to sit, ponder and USE Spell Check!!!!

[cosmicdot]

84. it is a tad telling in a 'hugh' 'series' sort of way !111!

Purusing Felix's Personal Finance statement today, it seems he is a Board Member of the the Virginia "Isreal" Advisory Board.

pdf page 18 of 18
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/pfd2005/N00009957_2005.pdf

[2008]

14. This is good

It spotlights the questions:

Was he sorry at the time he apologized?

If so, for what was he apologizing?

Was he not sorry when he apologized?

If not, was his apology a lie?

[Trouser Trout]

18. DickWad (hams) Now that's a funny name ! n/t

[Lex]

15. Aren't these the same people who hopped on every word Gore

or Kerry said, and actively tried to mis-construe their words at every opportunity?

Oh, the irony.

[magnolia]

91. Yes!

And how much did they "read into" Howard Dean's "YEEHAW" that made it newsworthy enough to show 50 times a day until it destroyed his credibility!!!

[izzie]

17. Need boots to get through that mess.

--

[KansDem]

19. The hypocrisy is overwhelming...

Washington Post alone doing major stories on the same issue for 5 consecutive days.

Bitching about the media reporting the truth for 5 consecutive days? I wonder how this turd felt about the Corporate Media reporting Swift Boat lies for 5 consecutive weeks!

This is beyond the pale...

[progdonkey]

29. and who I wonder was responsible for keeping the story alive, Dick?

Could it be that you released one apology saying Allen meant to say "mohawk" and it just coincidentally ended up being a racial slur used by his mother's people (French colonials in North Africa)?

Or perhaps that shortly after that you released a second apology where you said it wasn't actually an attempt to say "mohawk" but rather an attempt to call Sidarth a shithead ("caca")?

Or perhaps that you've written a memo where you're now saying it was all a Big Media Lie?

Douche.

[peacetalksforall]

21. This is good. Power to Webb. Hooray! They are the ones

prolonging this and making it more of a campaign issue.

Did you hear the guy Allen was pointing to and moving his mouth in insults? He was on Democracy Now. Polite. Intelligent.

The target of Allen abuse was born in Virginia (Allen was not).

So, Allen called him an insulting term, then welcomed him to America, then withdrew his non-apology. Nice guy. Big heart. Very Republican and typically, not so Christian.

How many crooks and jerks are there in that Party?

[Trouser Trout]

23. DickWad(hams) That's a funny name ! n/t

[abluelady]

24. Just When I Believe I Can't Be More Embarrassed Being A Virginian

this crap continues. Please VA voters, work for Jim Webb. He has to be better than Felix.

[peacebird]

54. agree with you 100%

it's hard to be "represented" by the likes of John Warner, Allen and Virgil Goode....

[abluelady]

63. I recently met Bobby Scott Who I Like

I said, "can't you move to my district." He laughed and said with gerrymandering, it doesn't pay to move. Such a sad state of affairs. Eric Cantor is my rep and he is just another rubber stamp.

[Pacifist Patriot]

95. If it makes you feel any better...

I went to school in VA and now I'm in Florida. :blush:

[cboy4]

25. I smell desperation!!!!

What a DICKWADhams

[berni_mccoy]

26. Crybabies

[swimboy]

27. Felix Allen is Virginia's own Alfonse D'Amato.

He has a long, long "rap sheet" in Virginia from inciting convening Republicans to "enjoy kicking soft teeth down their whiny throats" to frightening executive orders on the threat of federalization to "state's rights" (no joke) and another implying that state employees needed clearance from his cabinet to contact their own representatives in the state government.

I hope this cowboy is put out to pasture.

[D23MIURG23]

28. I guess no one ever told this guy

That the best way to get out of a hole isn't to keep digging. So much the better for us.

[BlueOysterCult]

33. way to bring it back in the spotlight!

the best way to get out of this for him is to talk about how there are WMDs in Iraq and that we are winning the war on terror. What a stupid idiot ( his campaign manager) - I was just reminded that this happened after already forgetting about it!

[redherring]

30. His popularity was sinking

So, Mr. Allen and Co came up with a new strategy, which is to counterattack by blaming the "liberal media" for his political gaffe. That's what it is about. Last I heard,according to a recent poll, Allen was leading Webb by only 3%, which probably is within the margin of error, and if not, quite close. Something tells me this is gonna backfire on Allen's face. If all else fails, blame the liberal media.

[Totally Committed]

32. George "Macaca Boy" Allen....

The face of the RepubliKKKan Party.

TC

[SutaUvaca]

34. Roll up your pants legs people,

it's too late to save your socks.

[DinahMoeHum]

36. Nice try, Waaaaaaaaaaah-dams.

BTW, check out this Washington Monthly story on this would-be heir apparent to Karl Rove:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0609.sinderbrand.html

:nopity::nopity::nopity:

[BreweryYardRat]

77. Sounds like he's trouble.

Although I don't think he'll be able to save Adams from himself.

[MrScorpio]

37. Fuck Forgiveness

Burn his ass at the stake

[VP505]

38. Anybody up for a few phone calls or Faxes???

Dick Wadhams
Chief of Staff
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[POAS]

41. I love this line

"The Democrats and their liberal constituency groups, such as MoveOn.org, are pouring millions of dollars into television attack ads, seeking to take control of the Senate and House."

They would prefer that the Democratic Party just roll over and play dead.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

43. anytime you hear the phrase 'playing the race card' used

chances are a conservative has just been caught engaging in blatant racism

[AspenRose]

44. *ding* *ding* *ding*

We have a winnah!

[cboy4]

50. YUP!!

[LibDemAlways]

80. George Allen has been engaging in blatant racism

for over 35 years. It's about time he was called on it - and loudly. Now is the time for Webb to start making some revelations. A nice series of tv ads explaining that "macaca" isn't some abberation, but part of a racist trail that began with "Die Whitey" scrawled on the walls of Palos Verdes High School - to make it look like the work of blacks and fuel racial tension - to the noose in his law office, to this most recent slur.

Webb needs to take Allen's past and make him own it.

[cynatnite]

45. Sounds like everyone who doesn't agree is a 'liberal interest group'

:eyes: what a moran

[GeorgeGist]

46. What a Dick Wad...

'real' Virginians know that Allen a racist POS; that's why he represents them so well.

[Borgnine]

47. I'll be so ashamed if we can't take this guy down.

Rest assured that we in VA are busting our asses to defeat this putz. I'll be mortified if he wins after making his racist views clear to anyone with a functioning brain.

[iamahaingttta]

48. It's not the "mistake" that is the problem...

That's what these people will never understand.
They simply don't have the capacity to understand what people are reacting to.

The Senator "made a mistake" when he made a racist remark.
The "mistake" is not the problem, the underlying attitude is the problem.
He can "apologize" for making a "mistake" but he does not "apologize" for the underlying attitude.
It becomes a game, and the attitude is never really addressed...

[bklyncowgirl]

49. Translation

The apology was hurting Allen with the cross burning crowd and no one else was buying it.

He's gotta keep the Confederate flag wavers happy because by election time they may be all he's got.

[KingFlorez]

51. I'm glad they did it

The more they bury themselves, the less work we have to do to defeat them. Keep poppin' them chops.

[hashibabba]

52. As we speak, Allen's ratings are dropping like a lead balloon.

He was just on www.wjla.com (couldn't find anything about Allen on it yet) and apologized. I didn't see the beginning of the interview, so no telling what he said, but what I saw was a simple heartfelt apology (oh, you have to have a heart first, don't you?).

He's still an idiot.

[orleans]

53. ha! what crap! what assholes! n/t

[Joanne98]

55. FLIP FLOPPER!

[Cha]

56. Wadums Up,

mother*u*ker!

[DallasNE]

57. I Wish Waldham Would Show Us Where

He is being "positive and constructive" with his comments, or for that matter, where George Allen was being "positive and constructive" with his "macaca" epithet.

No, what you have do is to pay attention to what they do and not their lame-ass spin.

[onehandle]

58. Krazy Kampaign Kook.

The Liberal Media and George Soros made me put the three Ks in my Subject line.

[aggiesal]

62. I see 4 K's :-). N/T

[deminks]

59. Let's talk about the effing campaign manager's initial response

from the not so way back machine:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081400589.html

But the apology, which came hours after Allen's campaign manager dismissed the issue with an expletive and insisted the senator has "nothing to apologize for," did little to mollify Webb's campaign or Sidarth, who said he suspects Allen singled him out because his was the only nonwhite face among about 100 Republican supporters.

[Tab]

60. Oh, it's definitely a verbal gaffe

You would not normally make that mistake, unless you were used to using that term privately.

For instance, in private or public conversation I never use certain descriptive words that were common to hear when I was growing up (the "n" word comes to mind, as does certain terms for asians (or "orientals" as they were known back then)). So for me to use one now would be fully intentional. I could not claim it as a "gaffe".

ON THE OTHER HAND, if I was used to using those terms all the time, and let it slip by accident in a public forum, then yes, that would be a gaffe. And although you might forgive a gaffe, you'd have to wonder why it'd even be possible in the first place, and the only answer is that racism is a "natural" ("common" might be a better term) part of his world. So, if it's not part of his normal world, it's intentional. If it is part of his normal world, it's a gaffe. Either way, it's unacceptable.

[aggiesal]

61. Ahhhh, I feel so bad for Senator Allen,

"... the Webb campaign and the news media seeming worked hand-in-hand to create national news over something that did not warrant coverage in the first place. ..."

Is this the same news media that made such a big deal about the Dean Scream?

[freedomburn]

64. That letter is going to have the opposite effect of trying to end this...

This story just grew new legs thanks to that totally artless, ham-handed, CRYBABY letter.

[aggiesal]

101. But, it's the media!!!

It is very clear that the news media created what they call a "feeding frenzy"

Don't pay attention to that recorded tape.
I didn't actually say what's on the recording.

[Rex_Goodheart]

66. Give George a break!

Who among us HASN'T called an American of Indian descent "macaca"?

[muntrv]

68. What a dick wad!! Same for his campaign manager.

[civildisoBDence]

69. I'd like to apologize

for calling Allen's campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, a dickwad.

No, wait, I take that back.

News and commentary, left to right

[tlsmith1963]

71. So Typical

They don't take responsibility for anything, & then they blame it all on the Democrats. It's getting old, guys!

Tammy

[Bette Noir]

72. public education

Okay, folks, I have a challenge for you. Is anybody in or near Virginia willing to follow Allen around with picket signs, reading, "Macaca is French for Nigger"? I'd like to see those at every compaign event from here on in.

It's fun to be shocked among outselves, but we need to be sure the general public knows what's what.

[DWilliamsamh]

73. Wow.... Blame the people who call you on your Racism

First: I am offended, as an English Major, by the incorrect choice of words in several places and misspellings contained in this memo. Maybe these were errors in the transcription; but if this is verbatim from the original memo it speaks to either a poor education or a writer so driven by his emotional need to make an unsupportable point that, as the campaign manager for a SENATE candidate, he made grade school mistakes in word choice and misspellings. In any case, this destruction of the English language is reprehensible.

Second: Is anyone surprised that we have yet another example of a Republican puffing up indignation that the press (which, lets face it, is a fairly reliable tool of right wing talking points and distortions) has the temerity to bite the master's hand and not only report what they say and do, but to do background research and report the results of that research? The calculus is the same as Rick "Man-On-Dog" Santorum expressing his rage at the press telling the people of Pennsylvania that his supposed "home" is bereft of furniture. The press reports that from all behavior and appearance he in fact does not live in the state he seeks to represent in the U.S. Senate. All of this while he badgers and threatens lobbying firms (not that I feel much sympathy for lobbyists) to hire no one HE and the Republican party have not stamped with a big, red, Republican elephant stamp of approval. In Santorum's mind, it is not wrong that he lives out of state, or that his children's education is being paid for by the citizens of a state he doesn't live in. It is wrong that the press told Pennsylvanians

The calculus is the same as the President and his mouthpieces in the punditocracy being beside themselves with rage that the American People are being told even one tenth of the bad news from Iraq, while he and they completely ignoring the hell that life in Iraq has become under the President's "strategy to support the dreams of the Iraqi people." It is not wrong that the policies of the Bush mis-administration have led not only to needless war, but to the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi's, and the torture of hundreds more. It is wrong that the press told the American people.

Now we have Allen expressing his indignation at the media and his opponent for reporting that he hurled a racial slur at a man he KNEW to be working for his political opponent. His point seems to be that it's not the sheer political stupidity and racist intent of his statement that are the wrong, but rather the fact that the MSM told people about it.

No. It is not surprising at all.

[smtpgirl]

74. This should raise flags to every Virginian,

That DON"T VOTE for that PIECE OF SHIT, but I am familiar with VA, and those dumbasses will!!!!!!!

:puke: :puke: :puke:

[Webster Green]

78. "The reason the Democrats run such negative campaigns"...

"...and always play the race card, is that they have no positive ideas to run on.

Holy crap! Talk about projection..

These assholes are unbelievable!

[specimenfred1984]

79. Cons are the new Nazis

They always were stupid bigots but now they're publically proud of it, it's reached the next stage.

Guess what the "final solution" will be?

[LibDemAlways]

81. "Macaca" isn't the first time Allen's had to

publically apologize for a racist remark. As a high school senior he had to apologize over the Palos Verdes (CA) High PA system for scrawling "Die Whitey" "Fuck Whitey" on the walls of the school in an effort to stir up some racial tension toward a rival, predominently black school (making it look like the work of blacks) the week of a basketball playoff game.

That wasn't the fault of the liberal media or anybody else. It was George Allen's racism coming to the fore - just as it did last week. Allen has a big problem with race. He's obsessed with the Confederacy - has been for over 35 years. He named his kid after a KKK Grand Wizard, for God's sake.
And now, finally, the veneer is coming off and the sheets are starting to flap in the breeze, and his campaign's coming unhinged. About fucking time.

[Maddy McCall]

87. Evidence is piling up against him, isn't it?

This is the most informative, convincing post I've yet read on DU, pertaining to Allen.

Thanks for posting this--and the photo.

[LibDemAlways]

88. Thanks ! I was in Allen's HS graduating class, and

have told the graffiti story on this board before. But it's more pertinent now than ever. In the past I'd always received a few responses suggesting that no one should be judged today by what they did in high school. Fair enough. However, "macaca" proves that Allen hasn't changed since high school. He's still the racist asshole he was back then. He wore a Confederate flag pin in his yearbook photo and plastered Confederate flag stickers on his car, too - before he ever set foot in Virginia or lived anywhere in the South. As an adult he displayed a noose in his office and put a big Confederate flag on his living room wall. A fellow classmate who also went to college with him says he made no effort to hide his racism there, either.

Ryan Lizza wrote an exhaustive piece in The New Republic back in April called "Pin Prick" detailing Allen's well documented history of racism. None of this is new and it's all been corroborated. Allen has no one to blame but himself.

[Marnieworld]

96. Wow!

Thanks for the personal info. The fact that a CA boy could be obsessed with the confederacy speaks volumes. He might as well have worn a swastika since he was worshipping oppression unrelated to him. He can't even use the old excuse that it's "SOuthern pride". If only we actually had a media that would expose this. The irony of them being angry at the media is extreme.

[lonestarnot]

82. Just another swing'n dickchump.

[marmar]

83. Allen is bigoted, not-too-bright and psychotic....

That's a frightening alliance of adjectives. :scared: :scared: :scared:

[Higans]

86. to think that Ross Perot lost because of the phrase "you people"

referencing African Americans.

[benny05]

89. To Borrow from a Famous Tennis Pro

"You Can't be Serious"

Talking about polls...either Allen gets it...or Not.

Dufus.

[whistle]

90. I think George Allen can be taken on easily by the talking points...

...outlined in this memo.


Senator Allen will win because he is right on the issues. <Racism is right?>
He will win because he has done a great job as Senator and Governor. <Verifiable from Allen's record.>
He will win because he has stayed in touch with Virginians and been responsive to their needs. <Only certain Virginians.>
He will win because he and Susan will work harded<sp> than anyone to get the job done. <Has that been Allen's MO?>
And, Senator Allen will win because of your help and support. <Support from racists I suppose.>

George Allen's campaign is full of lies and the people of Virginia can be set free by the truth.

[johnlal]

92. Elsabeth Kubler-Ross would have a lot to say about this

It looks as if Allen is in his "Anger" stage in his grief cycle:

1. Denial: I didn't call him a monkey. I just was talking about his mohawk, but I called it a Macaca instead. Just kidding. It wasn't about his hair at all. I was just calling him a shit head. Nothing racist.

2. Anger: This isn't my fault. It was a simple mistake. The media is at fault. My political opponents are at fault. I've been vilified. They put words into my mouth.

Here's what's coming next:

3. Bargaining: Look for Allen to have a conference with minority leaders. He may address a group or association, or he may have a prominent person of color stand up and vouch for him. If he builds up enough "points" he will try to leverage their support.

4. Depression: Not being at his political best, Allen may become careless, spouting even more inappropriate soundbites for eager would-be Macacas.

5. Acceptance: Allen finally admits he's a racist. Well, not in so many words. But he may include a confederate flag as a backdrop. He may get a public endorsement of racist elements in Virginia. He might start pushing more racially charged issues into the debate.

Just a thought.

[EST]

93. How about this:

Well, y'know, I was feeling a bit angry and frustrated and that rascal had followed me around since forever, it seemed. It had been a long day, trying to be the most "up" guy in the room and I was pretty aggravated.

I know it is no excuse but here he was again and I wanted to say something to, kind of, mentally slap him around a little--not something really bad or, as it turned out, socially unacceptable and not really the way I normally feel.

My mind fished around and came up with "Macaca" and I said it before I thought about how hurtful it might be.

I'm really sorry I said it and wish I could take it back. Since I can't, I just wish and hope this nice gentleman would accept my apology and come, have a cuppa coffee with me and perhaps we can get to know each other a little better as well as see if we can get along.

Now, wasn't that easy, senator?

[brentblack]

94. Be a freakin' man for pete's sake

When you screw up....'fess up. There is no bigger act of contrition than an apology WITHOUT a 'but'. My mother always told me an apology that has a 'but' in it (i.e. I'm sorry for saying that, but ....)is NOT an apology.

Allen is a bully and a jerk. Obviously his staff is cut from a similar cloth.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

97. what a pile of (ma) ca-ca -nt

[DemoVet]

98. Can we just refer to him as "Senator MacacAllen" now?

I lived in Virginia during his delegate/governor years and knew republicans who thought he was an ignorant, racist douchebag. As I remember, the legislature used to hand him his ass on a regular basis when he as governor.

[derby378]

99. Sen. Allen's mother is French/Tunisian

He knew exactly what "macaca" meant, even when many Americans didn't.

[Rob H.]

100. Shouldn't that be, "...Retracts Non-Apology Apology"?

First of all, he never apologized for what he said. These are not apologies:

"In no way was it meant to demean him, and I'm sorry if he was offended."

"I never want to embarrass or demean anyone, and I apologize if my comments offended this young man."

"I would never want to demean him as an individual. I do apologize if he's offended by that. That was no way the point."

Note to George: apologizing because someone is offended by what you said is not the same as saying that you're sorry you said it!

[Tekla West]

103. Don't these people have ....

Anyone to handle them anymore. They should never be allowed to speak off the cuff, they get to the truth way too fast. Someone stop him before he talks again.

[IntravenousDemilo]

105. How much do you wanna bet...

that because his mother was Tunisian, he'll start campaigning as an "African" American and try to get the black vote?