Allen's Dismal Record on Historically Black Colleges

By: Lowell
Published On: 9/12/2006 6:13:50 PM

From the Webb campaign, George Allen certainly has NOT been a friend of African Americans generally and historically black colleges specifically...

(Norfolk, Virginia) +óGé¼GÇ¥ Senator George Allen routinely tells Virginians one reason they should vote for him is that they +óGé¼+ôknow+óGé¼-¥ him.

Really?

Lately, George Allen has heavily touted his record for historically black colleges. But, do Virginians know Allen actually cut funding for historically black colleges when he was Governor?

Let+óGé¼Gäós tell them.

George Allen+óGé¼Gäós budget plan in 1995 cut nearly 10% of the budget of Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, Virginia+óGé¼Gäós two historically black colleges, according to an article in the Virginian Pilot entitled +óGé¼+ôBudget hits 2 black colleges hard.+óGé¼-¥ The Pilot continued +óGé¼+ôVirginia+óGé¼Gäós two state supported historically black universities, Norfolk State Virginia's two state-supported historically black universities, Norfolk State and Virginia State, would lose bigger chunks of their funding under Gov. George F. Allen's budget than any other college in the state except one." "The average cut for all 15 state-supported four-year schools would be 2.7 percent.+óGé¼-¥ (Virginian Pilot, 1/15/1995)

"The claim that George Allen has continually supported historically black colleges is simply not true," according to Webb spokesperson Kristian Denny Todd. +óGé¼+ôThis is a man who does one thing in office and then when it+óGé¼Gäós time for re-election he does another.  The two faces of George Allen will not fool Virginians anymore.  He proposed funding cuts as Governor and his cuts specifically targeted historically black colleges."

Ah, memories...

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.

Comments



What a fake! (Arturo - 9/12/2006 7:11:50 PM)
So much for Allen's support of African Americans!


Allen's Abysmal NAACP Voting Record (PM - 9/12/2006 7:32:21 PM)
He's even bad as compared to the rest of the GOP in the Virginia delegation:

VA U.S. Senate Jr George Felix Allen Republican 15
VA U.S. House 1 Jo Ann S. Davis Republican 22
VA U.S. House 2 Thelma D. Drake Republican 22
VA U.S. House 3 Robert C. 'Bobby' Scott Democrat 96
VA U.S. House 4 James Randy Forbes Republican 22
VA U.S. House 5 Virgil H. Goode Republican 26
VA U.S. House 6 Robert W. 'Bob' Goodlatte Republican 22
VA U.S. House 7 Eric I. Cantor Republican 22
VA U.S. House 8 James P. Moran Democrat 87
VA U.S. House 9 Frederick C. 'Rick' Boucher Democrat 74
VA U.S. House 10 Frank Rudolph Wolf Republican 26
VA U.S. House 11 Thomas M. 'Tom' Davis Republican 26

Source: http://www.vote-smar...



Of course, if one wanted to (libra - 9/12/2006 7:45:14 PM)
play the devil's advocate, one could say that black colleges, like single-sex colleges (and single-religion schools) are, perhaps, not the best way to prepare young people for the mixed-bag of the real world. I'm white (as is my husband) but,  from pre-school, I insisted that our son should attend mixed -- in every respect -- schools.

I'd be curious to know what Allen's stand is on supporting the entry of minorities (not just blacks) into non-segregated schools, via quotas. For that matter, I'd like to know Webb's stand o the subject, too :)

I grew up with a quota system for college admissions, though it was based on location (rural vs urban, since rural kids had access to fewer resources when growing up) and on income (again, the assumption being that some parents could afford an encyclopeia and some couldn't). There was always some fraud involved (parents representing themselves as emploees of the firms they owned, to lower their income)and the system didn't work in every case but, when it did work, it worked *splendidly*. Both for those who got a "leg up" through this venue and for the rest of us.



Allen's Zero Rating from CivilRights.org (PM - 9/12/2006 7:47:04 PM)
Civil Rights.org is an umbrella group of organizations that seek to promote civil rights.  Their board shows the diversity of their membership, e.g., unions, AARP, League of Women Voters, etc.  source:  http://www.civilrigh...

George Allen got a big fat zero in 2005.  Here are the scores of the Va. delegation:

VA U.S. Senate Sr John W. Warner Republican 6
VA U.S. Senate Jr George Felix Allen Republican 0
VA U.S. House 1 Jo Ann S. Davis Republican 0
VA U.S. House 2 Thelma D. Drake Republican 0
VA U.S. House 3 Robert C. 'Bobby' Scott Democrat 100
VA U.S. House 4 James Randy Forbes Republican 11
VA U.S. House 5 Virgil H. Goode Republican 11
VA U.S. House 6 Robert W. 'Bob' Goodlatte Republican 0
VA U.S. House 7 Eric I. Cantor Republican 0
VA U.S. House 8 James P. Moran Democrat 100
VA U.S. House 9 Frederick C. 'Rick' Boucher Democrat 89
VA U.S. House 10 Frank Rudolph Wolf Republican 0
VA U.S. House 11 Thomas M. 'Tom' Davis Republican 11

Source:  http://www.vote-smar...



Thelma a Zero (VA Breeze - 9/12/2006 10:25:58 PM)
Not surprised by Ms. Drake's rating.


How About League of United Latin American Citizens? (PM - 9/12/2006 8:01:22 PM)
Wow.  Allen was not the lowest for 2003-04.

Source:  http://www.vote-smar...

VA U.S. Senate Sr John W. Warner Republican 50
VA U.S. Senate Jr George Felix Allen Republican 17
VA U.S. House 1 Jo Ann S. Davis Republican 22
VA U.S. House 3 Robert C. 'Bobby' Scott Democrat 100
VA U.S. House 4 James Randy Forbes Republican 12
VA U.S. House 5 Virgil H. Goode Republican 11
VA U.S. House 6 Robert W. 'Bob' Goodlatte Republican 11
VA U.S. House 7 Eric I. Cantor Republican 22
VA U.S. House 8 James P. Moran Democrat 100
VA U.S. House 9 Frederick C. 'Rick' Boucher Democrat 83
VA U.S. House 10 Frank Rudolph Wolf Republican 28
VA U.S. House 11 Thomas M. 'Tom' Davis Republican 39



Here's what I don't get... (va.walter - 9/12/2006 8:33:36 PM)
Benny Lambert knows everything that's been posted in these comments yet he still makes the endorsement.  If it really is a "single issue support of HBCU" issue, then it tells me Allen's record must be good in total or Benny wouldn't support him. 

Benny's too old to be doing this as a ploy to build statewide support so that doesn't make sense.  If Benny was trying to "extort" something from the Democratic party, he would have simply withheld his endorsement of Webb as a negotiating tool. 

There is simply no explanation that makes sense to me other than Benny simply believes he's the right guy.  That is shocking to me.  Like Benny, I was a Miller supporter but I didn't expect him to go over to the other side.  Someone please explain this to me...without defaming Benny.  I've known Benny for years and he's too upstanding of a man and Democrat to be beaten up over one mistake but my goodness this needs some explaining.



Benny (DukieDem - 9/12/2006 11:07:04 PM)
He served on the board of Dominion Power with Susan Allen. There's no way he doesn't get primaried in 07 for this, so it looks like he may be finding a way to set up his career in the private sector.


Wow, way to throw a Democrat under the bus. (I.Publius - 9/13/2006 7:05:16 AM)
There's no possibility, in your "Webb is god, Allen is evil" little world that this fine state senator actually means what he says, and is making a heartfelt endorsement, eh?

I'd like to see you tell him that personally.  That would be funny to watch.



Conaway Haskins has an (Lowell - 9/13/2006 7:16:47 AM)
interesting take on all this.


Interesting, definitely. (I.Publius - 9/13/2006 7:57:52 AM)
An anonymous RK hack throwing Lambert under the bus is one thing, but seeing Conaway do it is definitely surprising.


Amazing (DukieDem - 9/13/2006 9:05:24 AM)
Did you even know Lambert's name before this? I would love to sit down with Senator Lambert and ask him why he thought money for HBCU's is more important than Iraq, Health Care, protecting our Environment, and cleaning up Washington of K-Street special interests.

Whether or not Lambert's endorsement is heartfelt is irrelevant. I think it's tinged with private interests. but he wouldn't go out on this limb if he didn't find Allen acceptable. That's why it's so dissapointing to see this happen.



I completely disagree. (va.walter - 9/13/2006 7:57:25 AM)
First of all, Benny is 69 years old and has plenty of money.  This isn't about "setting up his career in the private sector."  Also, Benny is a man of integrity and this has nothing to do with being on a board with Allen's wife.  Benny takes his responsibilities to his constituents too seriously.  At this point, the inability of anyone to explain this endorsement really has me perplexed.


Hard to Explain (DukieDem - 9/13/2006 9:12:28 AM)
Well, I don't think Lambert agrees with Senator Allen on policy issues Iraq, the right to choose, the Environment, or Health Care, so outside of HBCU's the first thing I think is personal life.

I think Lambert has been upset with Webb not playing the game and kissing the rings of the right people. I'd love to hear Lambert explain how Allen is better on the issues than Webb.



My letter to Senator Lambert (Newport News Dem - 9/13/2006 11:01:51 AM)
Senator Lambert:

I implore you to reconsider your endorsement of George Allen.

I understand some of your concerns about past Webb positions and statements on Affirmative Action. However, you just endorsed a man who absolutely opposes affirmative action and according to the Washington Post, you were unaware of this and you hope to change Allen's mind on his opposition.  With all respect, this is not viable.

Allen's campaign manager just showed you  the ultimate disrespect by again using the right wing wedge of obfuscating Affirmative Action with quotas.

From the Post story....

Asked if Allen supports affirmative action, Wadhams said he "supports affirmative recruitment, actively seeking out opportunities for minorities. He does not support quotas.

I view that a slap in the face, sir. I have researched affirmative recruitment and this is just a sham to give companies "wiggle room" to not actually implement Affirmative Action in hiring practices

Allen and his party do not have the best interest of the minority community on a host of issues, including affirmative action. If you will have any influence on one of the Senate candidates, it is certainly Jim Webb and not Allen with his questionable past.

Respectfully, please reconsider this endorsement. It is only by electing Democrats will we be able to govern this country for the benefits of all and not the few and privileged.

Charles F. Stanton
Co-Chair
Newport News Democratic City Committee
www.NewportNewsDemocrats.org



Lowell, codos to you (demnan - 9/12/2006 8:51:26 PM)
You are one of the best I've ever seen to be relentless in pointing out the deficiencies of George Allen.  Not that these deficiencies didn't exist before, but you have beautifully laid them out in great talking points for phone and door-to-door canvassing for all of us working for this effort.  I salute you in all your efforts and thank you for the information to help in my own canvassing efforts in Prince William County.

We needed this for so long and it's a breath of fresh air here in Virginia.



Thanks, but this is a team effort. (Lowell - 9/12/2006 9:03:41 PM)
The power of the blogosphere, the crack Webb campaign research team, etc.  All I have to say to Dick Wadhams is that this is NOT South Dakota!


A nice bright spot (PM - 9/12/2006 9:21:21 PM)
Latest poll in Tenn. Senate race has Ford ahead by 3%.  I'll tell you, control of the Senate is within reach.  Cantwell is now +17 in Washington.

Oh, and I guess Wadhams doesn't have Jeff Gannon working for him here.



He was against them until he started thinking about being Prez. (RayH - 9/12/2006 10:04:21 PM)


Lambert's support of Allen (blackamerican - 9/12/2006 10:15:35 PM)
I like the way you guys assume that the NAACP represents the interests of black voters.  Many black voters are independent thinkers and are capable of judging the character of an indivdual themselves.  Mr. Lambert has endorsed George Allen because he believes and knows Mr. Allen to be someone I could depend upon for the issues that concern him.  Stop assuming because the NAACP and other so-called blacks group feel and believe one thing all blacks feel that way.


Allen-Lambert (DukieDem - 9/12/2006 11:08:29 PM)
It's because we know that black voters think independently that they'll see past Lambert's endorsement and see George Allen's record for what it is.


Webb thinks Allen is great for Virginia (blackamerican - 9/12/2006 10:18:41 PM)
Why are you fighting hard for a man who at one time endorsed Allen as a great candidate for Virginia.  Representing a turncoat republican, as Webb is, should make you Dems shudder.


Allen's record (VA Breeze - 9/12/2006 10:29:39 PM)
It is Allen who has not "represented" most Virginians.


WWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? (DukieDem - 9/12/2006 11:14:30 PM)
Just as black voters think independently, so do Democrats.

Althought Webb did endorse Allen in 2000, we can see beyond that and realize what a great leader Webb will be in the US Senate.

Also I beleive Webb was a turncoat Democrat before he was a turncoat Republican, so get your GOP talking points right.



Great Skeptical Brotha Post (PM - 9/13/2006 9:09:25 AM)
http://skepticalbrot...

In part:

Lambert omitted the fact that Senator Allen supported a cut of $12 billion in student aid programs in November of 2005.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce democrats website states:

• This Republican Raid on Student Aid represents the largest single cut to the federal student aid programs ever.

• The Raid on Student Aid picks the pockets of students and families in order to pay for new tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

• The Raid on Student Aid puts college even further out of reach for millions of Americans just at a time when they are already struggling with rising college costs.

Take it from me, the vast majority of students at HBCU’s attend those institutions on some form of federal financial aid.  In fact, we disproportionately rely on federal aid. More than 85% of black students would not be in school without it. These cuts will make it harder for their parents and for them to borrow money for the costs of college and will exponentially increase their debt load upon graduation.