How do you know that George Allen is lying in his TV ads? Here's a hint: his lips are moving. Seriously, this latest ad, on the National Innovation Act, is a real doozy. Among other problems with the ad:*Allen calls it, "MY National Innovation Act." But there's just one problem: George Allen did not write or introduce the legislation! In fact, the bill was introduced and sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman and John Ensign. Sure, Allen was one of 23 cosponsors in the US Senate, along with Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, and several other Democrats. But that certainly doesn't make it HIS bill! Nice try, George.
*Allen claims in the ad that the bill "encourages young people to pursue engineering and technology." But there's just one problem: the bill can't encourage young people to do anything because it has yet to pass! Hahahahaha. That's right, the bill continues to languish in the Senate Finance Committee, where George Allen does not serve. I guess he's off "bored" somewhere else, instead of "encouraging young people to pursue engineering and technology" education.
*Allen claims in the ad that "Virginia+óGéĽGäós students are learning more because of high academic standards and accountability." But there's just one problem: the Children's Defense Fund says that George Allen "rarely, if ever, voted in the best interests of children." Actually, there's another problem: George Allen has voted against fully funding the No Child Left Behind Act, which required higher standards and accountability without funding the tools to achieve it. Wonderful.
*Finally, Allen claims in the ad that "My National Innovation Act encourages young people to pursue engineering and technology, so we can be more competitive." Once again, there's just one problem: as Governor, Allen+óGéĽGäós state budget ignored recommendations for increased technology spending for higher education.
In sum, George Allen's latest TV ad is false, misleading, and just plain wrong. Another word for all that would be "lie," but of course they don't use such language in the genteel, boring, "wounded sea slug of a Senate" that Allen hopes the voters of Virginia will return him to for another six years of misery. Weird.
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.
That wouldn't be a problem if it were true. But Allen is clearly stretching the truth and doesn't deserve that subtle boost by claiming credit for positive impacts that are non-existent or he had little to nothing to do with.
He shouldn't get credit for a positive he didn't earn, and people need to know that.
1. Get rid of the eyebrow, Tim Kaine does it a lot better.
2. Stop hiding behind children. You're running for the United States Senate, not President of the PTA.
3. Stop running fluff ads that don't say anything about yourself.
4. While you're so busy promoting science, why don't you take some knowledge out of that field and DO SOMETHING ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING.
Basically these ads don't say anything. Allen's name recogniton is high, so fluff peices like this aren't really going to change any minds. This is just fulfilling Waldo's prophecy of his Mary Sue Terry-esque campaign; blowing his money lead in August with ads that don't move the polls.
Allen's so proud of his Jeffersonian conservative principles, he should talk about them in his ads.
Allen seems smug in these ads, but I admit having personal bias. I also get tired of politicians holding up picture perfect families for the camera. Again- my personal bias, although I wonder if others feel the same way.
Could it also be the case that Allen is choosing to have an ad on this piece of legislation that he merely added his name to as a co-sponsor because he hasn't sponsored ANY important legislation in his six years in the U.S. Senate? We should ask his campaign if Allen sees this as the most important legislation he's been involved in in his six year term.
Oh, and by the way George, what happened to the education tax credit that you promoted all through your 2000 Senate campaign? I guess you just never had the time in your busy schedule to introduce this bill.
(1) Senator Allen did help introduce this legislation. Don’t take my word for it. Senator’s Ensign and Lieberman note it on their Senate pages, as does Innovation Magazine.
“Ensign, along with Senators Joseph Lieberman, Richard Luger and George Allen, introduced the National Innovation Act during a Capitol Hill press conference this afternoon.”
http://ensign.senate...
“Joining Ensign and Lieberman as original co-sponsors of the bill were Senators ... George Allen (R-VA)”
http://lieberman.sen...
“Legislation designed to preserve America’s leadership role in the fields of innovation and technology was introduced late last year by Senators John Ensign, Joseph Lieberman, Richard Luger and George Allen. It’s called the National Innovation Act.”
http://www.innovatio...
(2) The bill is not “languish[ing] in the Senate Finance Committee”. The National Innovation Act is being crafted into a comprehensive bill that is on its way to passage.
The National Innovation Act has since been separated by committee jurisdiction, and is going through permutations in order to perfect the bill. Senator Allen has been deeply involved at every step -- including crafting the American Innovation and Competitiveness component of the new, comprehensive bill -- and is working with Senate Leadership on a Comprehensive Bill – the “American Competitiveness Investment Act” that will incorporate the entire National Innovation Act (Commerce and HELP Provisions) and the PACE Act.
(3) It is George Allen’s bill.
Senator Ensign is the chair of the relevant subcommittee, so his name is on the bill. But Senator Allen and his staff helped craft the bill. Both Senator Ensign and the Council on Competitiveness have recognized Senator Allen’s part in this bill and approve of him calling it “my bill”.
In short, the Webb campaign simply doesn’t know what they are talking about. Fortunately, Senator Allen’s efforts are supported by people who do know technology.
As for your comment I checked out point 1. I have to discount the third source because clearly that is just a re-write of the Ensign PR. Same words, slightly different order.
So out of the two, only Ensign singles out Allen among the top co-sponsors. Lieberman's PR lists all co-sponsors alphabetically so it's impossible to assign an significance to the roles played.
Honestly, I don't know who did the heavy lifting for this bill. I agree with you that these sources all indicate that Allen was involved. On the flip side, I don't see anything that would make me think it's "his" bill. So if Allen makes a statement that implies it's "his" bill that is misleading.
Is that a standard tactic in political ads by both sides? Sure. Should Lowell call him on it? Absolutely.
I'm quite certain you have the ability to parse IP addresses. You'll find no other identity at this IP.
Right after you apologize for the lies in the above post, I'm certain you will apologize to me for your mistaken accusation.
Unlike a certain senator who can't honestly apologize, and unlike a certain president who can't even think of anything he's done wrong, I will own up to my mistakes. Please continue to use your login and I promise not to give you grief over it again.
I do not want this to become an issue again.
What I post here is mine alone. I was out of commission for awhile and very sick. But, I'm back.
You Republicans are the one's being disingenous.
Did you read the bill? link
The bill burys it's intentions behind an bold name for the bill but deep down in the fine print ...
"the United States must take a forward
looking approach with respect to any limitations of
the H1B visa program"
Don't you Republicans get it? The American people want citizenship track, front door only, reasonable quota immigration legislation.
We don't want fat cats getting special exemptions and buying special subsidies.
If you need labor, you can pay the market rate. Wave the dollars, and the people will train or re-train for it. And, yes, those big companies may have to pay for some on the job training. It's a win-win for business and labor.
Allen is such a chump.
This bill is *not* going to pass.