it is hard to call him a hypocrite on this issue.  He is 100% supportive of Barr Labs and his stock ownership.  As far as I know, he's never taken a position against Plan-B or labelled it an "abortion pill."  The problem isn't with hypocrisy but with Allen having a view of the Plan-B pill that is different from the view held by many of his supporters.  He apparently doesn't think it's an "abortion pill" while lots of his voters/donors do.  The next couple days will tell us if this story has legs.

the nomination of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to head the Food and Drug Administration?  According to this August 1, Associated Press article:

Senators hammered von Eschenbach about the timing and substance of a surprise FDA announcement that it would again consider expanding access to the emergency contraceptive known as Plan B. The announcement came Monday on the eve of the confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and was the latest word in the three-year quest to widen access to the pill, made by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Any comments, Senator Allen?  Like you, we're "listening!"  Ha.

Actually, the Plan-B issue could be looked at as a proxy for Allen in general.  Here's what I mean.  Many people paint Allen as an extreme right winger in lock step with the religious right.  Obviously, his support of Plan-B cuts against that.  Of course, we'll respond, "well the only think more important to Allen than placating the far right wing is working to support his corporate interests."  Could be, but what happens if Allen, while supporting Plan-B, goes against Barr when it comes to Plan-B being over the counter?  What's the argument then?  If I'm Allen I say see, "I'm not beholden to the far right or my donors.  I do what I think is best."  Of course, if Allen supports Plan-B going over the counter it blows that whole line of logic.

Anyway, my guess is that this quickly becomes a non-issue but it is one of the very interesting micro-issues that always comes up in a campaign.

If I'm the type of person who divides the world into "appeasers" and "freedom fighters" across the board on every issue; then it's a sad day for me.  This kind of mindset exists in both parties, but it's particularly pronounced in sections of the GOP which see any type of compromise as weakness. 

If I believe Plan-B is an abortion pill and I'm strongly against abortion, then there is no compromise position.  In fact, if I also happen to have serious reservations against government sponsored contraceptive programs--even if you convince me that Plan B is not an abortion pill I'm still going to be angry.

I don't think this issue alone will break support, but it does put a crack in the foundation.

The issue is doubly damning if George Allen believes Plan B is an abortion pill.

In reference to the conflict of interest issue on stock, any chance we could get Jim Webb to agree to put his holdings in a blind trust if elected?  This would serve as one point of contrast.  Particularly given the excesses of THIS congress, the last thing you want is something that even gives the appearance of a conflict-of-interest.  Legislators can do any number of things to bolster the value of their personal financial holdings while in office.  That's not why voters send them to Washington. 

is not the big issue.  It's that fact that Allen actively supports (through his stock ownership) a company that produces reproductive drugs that are diametrically opposed to the values of many of Allen's supporters.

He is going to have a tough time justifying this.  And rightly so.

we bash Allen for supporting Bush 97% of the time and then bang on him when he doesn't support Bush and the far right 100% of the time.  I love politics. 

Heck, the guy has a 100% voting rating from the pro-life groups.  If he really loses their votes over stock ownership of a contraception company they will have proven themselves to be complete wackos (assuming that hadn't already happened).

for his position (although I disagree with it) or his stock holdings.  I'm just enjoying the rather uncomfortable position he's worked himself into.

You have a good point about his voting record and support from pro-life groups.  But luckily for us that's not the big story. 

I suspect this thing will cause him grief - at least enough to throw his game plan off schedule.  But it won't sink him.

...it is simply pointing out something that is (to his more hard line supporters) An Inconvenient Truth... ;-)

I said "we bash him for supporting Bush 97%" and now he's getting "banged on for not being 100% with the pro-life" lobby.

Here's how the story was reported at Life News:

http://www.lifenews....

Barr Pharm. CEO Bruce Downey and his wife Deborah have given Allen over $7000 in the current election cycle and have given to Allen's PAC. Recently, Bruce Downey also gave Goode & Goodlatte campaign cash. Allen-for you, it seems it is all about the $$$$'s!