George Allen Politicizing the Iraq War? You Decide. (UPDATED)
By: Lowell
Published On: 7/12/2006 7:45:34 AM
Check out George Allen's photo album of his visit to Iraq. Is this a bit much, or not? Is Allen trying to gain political advantage from the Iraq War, or not? What do you think?
P.S. True, Tim Kaine visited Iraq a few months ago, but he's not running for anything. Kaine also didn't vote to authorize the invasion, or continue to justify the Bush Administration's position on this issue.
[UPDATE: It is important to note that these photos are on George Allen's campaign website, NOT on his official U.S. Senate website. So, obviously, Allen's using his visit to Iraq for political effect. That's despicable.]
[UPDATE #2: The placement of these photos on Allen's campaign website also seems to contradict Allen's supposed opposition to using the Iraq war as a political issue. For instance, Allen just said at the American Legion the other day, "What is not helpful for the trust in and the credibility of America and our will to win are those who revel in the political world, the world of I-told-you-so, (saying) that we never should have gone." Allen also said, back in March in the Republican...er, Richmond Times-Dispatch, that "As elected officials, we ought to stand with our troops. We ought to recognize that we're at war, and that our differences should not be partisan differences and petty bickering."
Pot, Kettle, Black? Look in the mirror, Senator. Oh, and take the photos down!]
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
Comments
COMMENT HIDDEN (I.Publius - 7/12/2006 7:47:14 AM)
Of course, you ignored the "P.S." (Lowell - 7/12/2006 8:00:11 AM)
Tim Kaine is NOT up for re-election. In fact, he is limited to one term as governor so he has little to gain from visiting Virginia troops in Iraq, except to help boost their morale and get a feel for what's going on over there. I also don't see a lavish photo spread of Kaine's visit to Iraq
on the Governor's website.
George Allen, on the other hand, is up for re-election in Virginia and is also running for President. Totally different situation than Tim Kaine, although of course I don't expect you to grant that point.
Re: the troll rating (thaddaeus toad - 7/12/2006 7:06:00 PM)
Lowell cannot be considered a troll on his own site bc he made a comment about his distaste for G. Felix Allen. Please rethink your unjustified rating.
Re: the troll rating (thaddaeus toad - 7/12/2006 7:07:49 PM)
Lowell cannot be considered a troll on his own site bc he made a comment about his distaste for G. Felix Allen. Please rethink your unjustified rating.
And you're consistent (DukieDem - 7/12/2006 8:59:07 AM)
In your ignorance. Please feel free to continue your enlightening social and economic commentary. I truly grow dumber with each post you make. Sooner or later, I'll start voting Republican.
Political? Oh yea! (summercat - 7/12/2006 8:43:01 AM)
Interestingly, the GAO lambasted the admin today for the $3 billion a week spending on this war--with no plan or end in sight. And the Pentagon will not renew the Halliburton contract--seems like mismanagement and unaccountability to the tune of $1 billion+ waste is a bit much for even the Pentagon to stomach. I sure hope Jim Webb et al hold these items up in Allen's face.
Lowell - does not this need a disclaimer (teacherken - 7/12/2006 9:50:08 AM)
given the fact that you are now a paid staffer of Webb? I thought even here you were going to include such a disclaimer. I noted none either on this piece or the one on the poll data which requests the contribution of funds and which is posted both here and at dailykos.
Just wondering.
I can include a disclaimer on every post... (Lowell - 7/12/2006 10:30:45 AM)
...although I think I've already made it quite clear what my status is.
I think you should (Matt in VA - 7/12/2006 10:46:09 AM)
It's not obvious to people who don't keep track of your username.
By the way, publicizing yourself as a Webb staffer might actually get you (and Webb) more attention on Kos.
I also think you should (teacherken - 7/12/2006 11:40:13 AM)
and to clarify when you are posting in that capacity and when your posting is independent.
it belongs at least on the diaries. Probably not necessary on comments.
Not to tell you how to do your job (Matt in VA - 7/12/2006 6:50:24 PM)
But I suggest you publicize this fact on Kos. They'll be thrilled to be having direct contact with someone on the campaign. (Obviously there will be oversight issues that I know nothing about.)
Good point. (Lowell - 7/12/2006 7:46:42 PM)
Thanks.
COMMENT HIDDEN (Walker Keith Armistead - 7/12/2006 10:37:12 AM)
Resident Wanna Be (seveneasypeaces - 7/12/2006 10:51:15 AM)
Abe Lincoln used to go to the front to visit troops. Often it was at night but he went to see the guys in harms way. Sitting in an air conditioned building smiling during war isn't very compelling. Abe was not smiling, he was feeling their pain, he was listening to their experiences and suggestions. If Allen wants to be taken serious, then get down and get dirty and leave the camera at home.
Re: troll rating (thaddaeus toad - 7/12/2006 7:09:37 PM)
Seveneasypeaces is a valued member of this website, and we are happy to have her post here. Her comment contained absolutely nothing that was worthy of troll rating her. Please rethink your unjustified rating, as a simple disagreement does not justify a zero.
Zero Tolerance (seveneasypeaces - 7/12/2006 10:47:09 PM)
Wow, that was a surprise. I didn't know what this was about so I went searching and found ratings. This is my first blog so I'm not used to all the bells. I have done lots of yahoogroups. But I'm really enjoying blogging. Thanks toad for being my prince. That was nice.
Loundon County Dem, we walked together at the Herndon Festival. I tried to hand you a flyer until I realized you had a Webb t-shirt on. I showed up on Raising Kaine too! Maybe you remember me. nancy
War in Iraq--NOT GWOT (Jerry Griffin - 7/12/2006 11:19:16 AM)
Please remember that the Global War on Terrorism is NOT the war in Iraq. Felix supports the war in Iraq when he does things like this. He and Bush hinder the GWOT by weakening our ablility to strike at Al-Qaida.
Re: troll rating (thaddaeus toad - 7/12/2006 7:10:34 PM)
Again, the above comment contained absolutely nothing that was worthy of a troll rating. Please rethink your unjustified rating, as a simple disagreement does not justify a zero.
COMMENT HIDDEN (Walker Keith Armistead - 7/12/2006 9:26:05 PM)
On third thought . . . (Madriver_Jack - 7/12/2006 6:34:31 PM)
"Look, unlike Jim Webb, George Allen supports the War on Terror...."
"We're fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here."
"We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud."
"Cut & run! Cut & run!"
Give it up, man. That trite stuff is played.
Besides, invading Iraq stengthened Islamisists and weakened America.
That's a real stupid way to wage a war.
The uses of war (Teddy - 7/12/2006 10:48:44 AM)
are many, among them, as von Clauswitz said (paraphrased), that war is the continuance of politics by other means. Exactly! Clearly George Felix Allen is feeling the heat from Webb's great credentials on the invasion of Iraq. He's doing what other candidates have done: gone to the source in order to improve their credentials. Smart move, Felix. Unfortunately, he didn't venture into, say, Sadr City, and interview any of the Iraqi police or the many different militia armies, or even some desperate resident civilian Iraqis. Like his idol, Mr. Bush, he opted for the photo op. What do you suppose he got out of the trip besides the photo op?