Allen and Makaka - from around the state and the country

I have not done a search of all possibilities, but below the fold I will give links for a number of papers where the story occurred, and then offer a very few thoughts of my own.

Boston Globe Dispute rises over Va. Sen. name calling

NY Times Dispute Rises Over Va. Sen. Name Calling

However, many major metro dailies apparently decided not to run with the story - nothing in Chicago or Philadelphia or LA or San Francisco.  Of perhaps equal importance, nothing in DesMoines or Manchester NH.

A check of Virginia papers shows limited coverage so far.

The Richmond Times dispatch has its own story by Tyler Whitley entitled Webb campaign aide made Allen's target? and subtitled
Racist remark used at recent speech, says Webb spokeswoman.

The Staunton News-Leader has a story entitled Webb campaign criticizes Allen remarks aimed at volunteer which is simply the AP story.  Of greater interest, they have a poll on their website asking

Do incumbent Republican Sen. George Allen's rationalizations about why he called a staffer from the campaign of Democrat Jim Webb "macaca" and said "welcome to America" sound like the truth to you or just a politician trying to save his neck?
The Truth
Just Excuses

The Hampton Roads Daily Press has had a story up since early yesterday evening.  Theirs is by their own reporter and is entitled Allen comments create storm and the subtitle is telling:

A new campaign video could revive questions about the senator's views on race.

The Virginia Pilot only has AP story, which can be seen here

So here's my take, for what it is worth.   The story did not "flash" either nationally or in Virginia.   That the Washington Post, New York Times, Boston Globe and AP all saw fit to give it some attention will add it to the mix.  That it does not YET have wider coverage means that it is not immediately as damaging as it could have been.  That despite being on the AP wire the story has appeared to date in relatively few papers around the Commonwealth of Virginia means it has not yet have a deep impact on the Seante race.  It is interesting that the three most populated areas do have coverage:  Northern Virginia in the Washington Post, Tidwater-Hampton Roads in the Pilot and the News-Press, and Richmond in the Times dispatch.  It has appeared in the Valley as well, which tends heavily Republican, which is what makes that poll so fascinating  -- the cover story about "Mohawk" is apparently NOT flying, even without the picture to show how inaccurate it is.

I also think it interesting that the Daily Press makes the connection of previous concerns about Allen and race issues.

For what it is worth.

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