Jim Webb spoke at the Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, on the afternoon of Wed 10-30. He spoke strongly in response to the Allen campaign's attempt to 'swiftboat' him. Jim was introduced by Sen. Max Cleland (video here). S.R. Siddarth, the Webb "tracker" who Allen called an ethnic slur, was present, and was pointed out by Webb during his speech. Video 8m26s:
Ingrid, if you watch this video, at the end you'll see the man who was singing before the event downtown; he's shaking Jim's hand.
i think... (chiefsjen - 11/1/2006 11:54:14 AM)
you need to remove macaca from sidarth's name -- we are not here to insult S.R. -- that's allen's job.
why not say: the webb volunteer that allen called... if you must, but it's insulting yet again to siddarth who will already forever be known by that name :(
I didn't catch that... (Lowell - 11/1/2006 11:58:17 AM)
...but thanks, I've changed it.
good catch, chiefsjen (Kathy Gerber - 11/1/2006 11:58:27 AM)
I can only speak for myself, but too much reading is beginning to take a toll, and none of us should hesitate to speak up on these things -
Thanks for revision (Don Wells - 11/1/2006 12:17:20 PM)
Thanks, Lowell, for revising my text in order to avoid any perception of insult. In the context of the event at Univ. of Virginia, it was obvious that everyone holds Siddarth in very high regard. He was cheered loudly by the crowd. My intent in using the M-word with his name, in quotes, was merely to identify him precisely for those who have never seen him or met him. After all, when Siddarth wrote an essay to get into Larry Sabato's UVa class, he wrote only three words: "I am Macaca" (and Sabato accepted him, of course!). It appears to me that the word is now a badge of honor for him, but I can understand how others might hold a different view. So, again, thanks, Lowell, for revising my text. -Don
Webb's hitting his stride (bamboo - 11/1/2006 1:45:38 PM)
This was a pitch perfect campaign appearance and shows Webb is catching the spirit of this race. I hope he can keep it up for a few more days and lose his reticence to speak out. He also needs to talk more about the economic issues, but his clear response to the Allen attacks are what we most need to hear at this point.