Here is the full statement Sen. George Allen (R-VA) provided to CNN (avail at the Hotline Blog at http://hotlineblog.n...):

“I’m concerned that my comments at Breaks Interstate Park on August 11th have been greatly misunderstood by members of the media.

“In singling out the Webb campaign’s cameraman, I was trying to make the point that Jim Webb had never been to that part of Virginia – and I encouraged him to bring the tape back to Jim and welcome him to the real world of Virginia and America, outside the Beltway, where he has rarely visited. I also made up a nickname for the cameraman, which was in no way intended to be racially derogatory. Any insinuations to the contrary are completely false.

“Yesterday, I apologized to anyone who may have offended by the misinterpretation of my remarks. That was certainly not my intent. On every stop on my Listening Tour – I have talked about one of my missions for this country – to make it a land of opportunity for all. I have worked very hard in the Senate to reach out to all Americans - regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender. And I look forward to continuing to advocate this important mission for America’s future.

“I never want to embarrass or demean anyone and I apologize if my comments offended this young man. Even though he has signed onto my opponent’s campaign, I look forward to seeing him on the trail ahead."

I just submitted this to Hotline:

Can someone please - PLEASE - make it clear that there are clearly lies coming from the Allen campaign here.  Wadhams says the nickname was from the staff, which had used it as a reference to this young man's haircut, which they claim looked like a mohawk.  And yet here, Allen himself says HE made up the nickname.  So what is it, guys?  Who made up the nickname?  Where does this incredibly offensive word, which has a vile background that can be connected to Allen's upbringing, come from? 

Please - PLEASE - can't someone at the Hotline raise this question to him and his campaign?  I mean, doesn't the media, and the public (!), at least deserve that level of honesty from the candidate?

Let's make sure that this "apology" doesn't become the end of the story.  This issue is too important, and Allen's comments are too disgusting, to be washed over with a phony apology like that.

how Allen came up with that particular nickname. 

What are the odds that he (or even his staff) was just sitting around making up goofy names and they just happened to hit upon one that is a racial slur and that's the one they liked best?  And then Allen didn't recognize it as a slur even though he's very, very likely heard it used in that manner?

He had a mohawk eh?  How about "Mo", "Big Mo", "Mo Man", "Hawk", "Video Mo", "Spike"? 

But "Macaca"?  Yeah right, it's an accident.

"The point of the matter was to chide and poke fun at my opponent, not any of his staff." - Allen quote

WTF, you did not make fun of Webb, you clearly made fun of his staffer!  You singled him out, ridiculed him, welcomed him to America and called him a racial slur.  Get real!

I'm so livid over this as it continues to move forward that I just want to make it clear how awful what Allen said truly was.  It makes me sick to hear these lies from Allen and his people.

The thing is, Allen's comments don't necessarily affect me.  However, it seems like there is laughter towards any "outsiders" in the "real Virginia".  At least as far as George Allen is concerned.  Let's give this thing a little more context.  How would Allen feel about a policy that helps those African Americans in Richmond who never vote for people like him?  Does he care?  I mean, they ARE Virginians too, right?  The real Virginia.  The Virginia that is 19.9% Black, 4.4% Asian, and 5.7% Hispanic.  Non-whites make up nearly 1/3rd of the Virginia population.  Are they all little "Mukakas" to good ol' George Felix Allen?  Imagine you are a working mother, trying to pay the rent.  You have a kid on your own, who you barely see.  Would George Allen care about you?  Would he think you weren't part of "real Virginia"? 

This means something more than just a racial slur.  This is a cultural attitude that plays on people's fears about those who are different than us.  Most importantly, this affects POLICY DECISIONS.  That's right.  Look at George Allen's voting record, consistent 0% on Arab rights issues.  Voting in the teens with the NAACP.  George Allen is not clearly a racist, but he certainly feels mighty comfortable pointing out other people's differences.  By the way George, tell the nearly 3 million people who live in Northern Virginia that they aren't part of the "real Virginia".  Let's see the response you get.

Sound familiar....Allen just like Bush can't admit doing wrong, which is why he can't apologise. What is it with this egomaniacs like him and Bush...just admit you f'd up and move on....too simple I guess. As usual it's the aftermath and cover up that get people in trouble.

Well-no sweeping this under a rug. Last week Countdown with Keith gave Allen the "Worser" person in the world about the Plan B pill and stock ownership, campaign donations and plane rides. Tonight-Allen's comments to Webb's buddy made the top story on Jon Stewart and Countdown.

LEAD STORY ON THE DAILY SHOW - WHO WANTS TO SAY IT ISN'T A BIG STORY NOW?

Best line by Rob Courdy: "Between you and me, I don't know what Macaca means, but it sure as shit sounds racist."

He, a fake cowboy chicken hawk native of California and son of a French woman, goes off on a racist harangue against a young man born in the Commonwealth. The irony is so rich. He doesn't have anything positive to point to; the only hope he has for reelection is fear, smear and disgraceful racist appeals. He needs to leave the Senate and take his offensive schtick elsewhere.

I think we could also add Wadham's "there's nothing to apologize for" to the list.  That makes three since it comes from an official spokesperson--and that was truly a "non apology".

It looks like the Post is running another A01 front page story about this tomorrow. 

before he said there was nothing to apologize for.

Sounds like he was defensive and knew he had a shitstorm on his hands.

Not only did he single out Sidarth before the crowd with a racist taunt, the message that Allen says he meant to make was FALSE.

Jim Webb's never been to/doesn't go to SW Virginia??? Bull!

I mean, isn't James Webb's ancestry from Southwest VA?  And didn't he write a lengthy book about the political power of the Scots-Irish people living in rural America in places like Southwest VA???  It's not like he's clueless about the area!  How the heck does George "SoCal" Allen get away with this type of thing?  It's just flat out bogus!

...he is visiting family...

I suppose Felix could always visit family in Tunisia.

John McCain and Thelma Drake are scheduled to appear with Allen in Norfolk Wednesday Night at the Marriot-Do you think they will cancel or appear with this guy?

I have a feeling there will be more Webb supporters in the crowd :D

...without looking weak to the very group he was trying to appeal to with this epithet.

The last thing he can afford is to look weak next to someone like Jim Webb.

Thoughts?

that is exactly what Allen is doing, much like an alcoholic.  The question becomes did I make you feel bad? Oh how did I make you feel bad, enlighten me? Are you sure I made you feel bad? Wait, no, I could not have made you feel bad because everyone AROUND ME IS CHEERING ME ON? You must be terribly confused? Yes, that is right, you are confused and hurting MY reputation.

Then the classic would be to be dragged up the stairs by your hair.  Wait, that is his sister's book.

http://www.amazon.co...

...about a month ago. I guess there wasn't much demand.

OK, it was $3.51 with shipping...

or at least I was told it is in her book.

Bet that must of hurt.

Oh, 1 cent was worth it.  Was it good?

I was finishing 'Foxes in the Henhouse' and re-reading parts of 'Born Fighting' and reading about Felix isn't exactly motivating (it's been bumped down my reading list a couple of times), I'll try to get through it this weekend.