Note: This is cross-posted from Anonymous Is A WomanI have to confess that I missed George AllenGÇÖs two-minute commercial a couple of nights ago. And today I was too busy at work to play it back on my computer even though it was available on line. And the soundGÇÖs out on my home computer. So I havenGÇÖt seen it at all and canGÇÖt comment directly on it.
But from what IGÇÖve read and gathered, Allen surrounded himself with all the accouterments of a politician, the lovely and smiling wife, the picture of his father and the football helmet to remind Virginians that, yes, heGÇÖs that George Allen, Jr., son of the beloved Redskins coach.
He also admitted that some of his recent problems he brought on himself. Just the proper touch of humility. And he called the racist charges GÇ£baseless.GÇ¥
What amused me most, though, was AllenGÇÖs plea to get back on issues.
LetGÇÖs face it, you donGÇÖt hire people like Dick Wadhams, Chris LaCivita, Paul Galanti, and the rest of the Swiftboat crew so that you can run a clean issue-oriented campaign. ThatGÇÖs not what they do and if Allen hired them to stay on issues and not character assassination he would have been wasting his money.
He hired them exactly to do character assassination. And if the situation had been reversed and they had found dirt about Jim Webb they would have been sanctimoniously telling the reporters and public that character counts.
It does. Theirs are the values voters, after all. And guess what?
Hate is not a Virginia value.
Hatred of blacks, women, Jews, immigrants, and gays is not a family value and itGÇÖs not what Virginians do.
On the other hand, Allen better be careful what he wishes for because if this campaign actually becomes about issues, Jim Webb will be even stronger in the polls and with voters than he is now.
In Virginia, as in the nation as a whole, people are dissatisfied with the way the war in Iraq is going. Most people no longer feel it was worth it to go over there. And more and more people are coming to realize that fighting in Iraq is not necessarily making us more secure at home. ItGÇÖs not necessary to be in Iraq to fight terrorism and defend our own borders. Especially with the recent revelations from Bob WoodwardsGÇÖ new book, State of Denial, voters are aware that theyGÇÖve been lied to by the Bush Administration on all counts. All Webb needs to do is point out that George Allen has supported Bush 97% of the time. George Allen is not a leader and heGÇÖs wrong on the issues.
George Allen is wrong on Iraq and national security. He also has voted against raising the minimum wage. He would vote for Social Security privatization, to continue tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent of the population, and against programs that help the middle class and poor. If you want economic justice, peace and prosperity, George Allen is not your man. But Jim Webb is.
Make the campaign about the issues. Please. Bring it on!
BAGHDAD, Oct 4 (Reuters) - At least 14 people were killed and 75 wounded in a car bomb attack on the convoy of Iraq's industry minister on Wednesday, Interior Ministry sources said.Minister Fawzi al-Hariri, a Kurd, was not in the convoy when it was attacked in central Baghdad, but two of his bodyguards were among those killed, said Industry Ministry spokeswoman Dhuha Mohammed.
The attack came as the U.S. military reported that roadside bombings in Baghdad were "at an all-time high" and that more car bombs had been defused or detonated in the capital in the past week than at any other time this year. They gave no firm figures.
The military has been trying to build up Iraq's army and police force to combat the violence, but their efforts have been bedevilled by allegations that the police have been infiltrated by sectarian militia and often turn a blind eye to atrocities committed by members of their own religious group.
Do you ever notice that when we raise facts and issues like the above the trolls are nowhere to be seen?
BAGHDAD, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A suicide truck bomber blew up outside the Iraqi army headquarters in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Ramadi on Wednesday and many casualties were feared, police said.Anbar province police chief Brigadier Hameed Farhan told Reuters the truck exploded outside the base in western Ramadi. The base is close to several U.S. military installations, residents said.
C'mon, I. Publius, etc. And the A Team guys. Where are your comments?
Some "lowlights" of Allens record:
-voted against Senate amendment to put 1 year moratorium on EPA funding for pesticide testing on humans. The Senate amendment passed but what was Allen thinking ?
-supported special tax breaks for oil and gas co's...in the billions. Exxon Mobil has enjoyed record profits
-voted to kill a bi-partisan senate resolution that would have offered a "sense of the senate" position that global warming is real and requires legislative attention. International scientific consensus is global warming is happening, is real..with or without congressional approval !
Agree- Issues..bring them on !