Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Impact of Sen. Allen's Racist Remarks Growing
Virginia Republican Senator George Allen's racist roots are the talk of the town.
As everybody knows, Allen referred to a campaign worker from his opponent Jim Webb's staff as "Macaca" and singled him out for ridicule at a recent all-white campaign stop in rural southwest Virginia. The staffer, an American of Indian descent, was the only non-white face in the crowd.
Allen's campaign staff initially said he had nothing to apologize for, but now Allen is in full damage control mode.
Allen has a history of racial insensitivity, shall we say. He has had an affection for confederate flags, for example. Note the New Republic story and the followup.
The racist comments may actually help him in rural southwest Virginia. But his comments may have a negative impact in other parts of the state, particularly northern Virginia.
We'll have to wait and see what impact this will have on his Presidential ambitions.
As everybody knows, Allen referred to a campaign worker from his opponent Jim Webb's staff as "Macaca" and singled him out for ridicule at a recent all-white campaign stop in rural southwest Virginia. The staffer, an American of Indian descent, was the only non-white face in the crowd.
Allen's campaign staff initially said he had nothing to apologize for, but now Allen is in full damage control mode.
Allen has a history of racial insensitivity, shall we say. He has had an affection for confederate flags, for example. Note the New Republic story and the followup.
The racist comments may actually help him in rural southwest Virginia. But his comments may have a negative impact in other parts of the state, particularly northern Virginia.
We'll have to wait and see what impact this will have on his Presidential ambitions.
