Recently, I've been hoofing through the Virginia blogosphere slipping into Rightwingostan, visiting with the Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians and querying the odd Allenistas I meet - asking some questions.
Who is George Allen?
Why should I re-elect him to the U.S. Senate?
This has not been a pleasant journey, but Virginia deserves the answer, and I'm the guy for the job. The folks I've met really don't like people asking questions. My Carhartt's have many burn holes. Apparently you aren't supposed to question the good Senator. Or his supporters.
My intention is to update this diary with the answers to those questions. So while I peel off my dung-encrusted work boots and stained coveralls, take a look at the questions I posed.
The best part is yet to come.
Bubby: Yo Learned Conservative, may I ask you a question?
Allenista: Sure, unwashed country-boy, ask and I shall illuminate you.
Bubby: Who is George Allen? He says Virginians know him but I+óGé¼Gäóm wondering+óGé¼-ª
Is he the Jewish kid from Palos Verdes, California?
Or the rebel without a reason that wraps himself in the Confederate Battle Flag?
Is he the Catholic kid from Chicago?
Perhaps he is the weird former Virginia governor that hangs out with wacky white supremacists?
Or maybe the lackluster jock that lives in his dad+óGé¼Gäós shadow, and carries a football around like a teddy bear?
Could he really be that foul bully we saw in Dickenson County last month?
Surely he isn+óGé¼Gäót a roping buckaroo from Mount Vernon, in the not-so-real pampas of Northern Virginia?
And why does he ride a borrowed horse and dress up like a cowboy at public meet-and-greets?
Is he a great legislator, wrestling the problems of our day, or the guy that rubberstamps what George Bush tells him?
I notice that he swiped Dick Durbin+óGé¼Gäós veteran+óGé¼Gäós legislation this week. Did anyone tell him it+óGé¼Gäós not nice to steal?
Has he ever disagreed with Mr. Bush on the plan for the war in Iraq?
What does he owe the oil companies that gave him $800,000?
I+óGé¼Gäóm asking because, as you may have heard, there will be an election in November. George Allen wants me to return him to his job. But after 6 years I+óGé¼Gäóm still trying to figure out who is the real George Allen ? And how does he reflect the character of Virginia?
Meanwhile I have a +óGé¼+ôstraight shooter+óGé¼-¥, a veteran, a self-made man, James Webb who is asking for my vote. He looks me in the eye, wears working man boots, and proudly claims his humble roots in the hills of Virginia. Jim Webb says we should measure the health of our commonwealth by how well the folks at the bottom are doing. I like that.
Can you tell me; who is George Allen?
Least hospitable: Senator George Allen objects to the State Department's issuing a visa to former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, who is scheduled to speak at an invitation-only event in the Rotunda Dome Room at UVA and at the Washington National Cathedral September 7, according to Bob Gibson in the Progress. And the Cav Daily reports Khatami will also speak at the UN September 6 and at Harvard September 10.
Best get: Mega-selling authors Stephen King and John Grisham stump for Democratic Senate challenger Jim Webb with September 24 readings at the Paramount, Bob Gibson reports in the DP. Fundraiser tickets start at $100 and skip up to $500 and $2,100.
One can't much call it a youthful indiscretion when, as an adult, he had a noose in his office. That noose was about intimidation, pure and simple. How did Virginia voters ever elect this man?
How did Virginia voters ever elect this man?
Some did not: Maybe George Allen believes that his good-old-boy pose and behavior are what you have to do to gain acceptance amongst the Virginia Republican elite. Photo shoots with the Council of Conservative Citizens, opposing the MLK holiday, opposing the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (when he wasn't even in Congress). Issuing a 'Confederate History and Heritage Month' proclamation that was oblivious to slavery.
And what is particularly ugly is how so many Virginia Republicans continue to defend him, suggesting that this is a frivolous issue. The whole lot needs to take some time off and get out of Government. Unfit to serve.