Virginia senator says issues trump attacksSen. George Allen, R-Va., tried to revive his embattled re-election campaign Monday night with an unusual paid appeal on television asking voters to focus on issues instead of the character questions that have dramatically tightened the race.
Allen, appearing for two minutes on one network in each of the five TV markets in Virginia, acknowledged that he has been sidetracked by the questions about his racial and ethnic sensitivity but said he now wants to talk about GÇ£real issuesGÇ¥ with his opponent, Democrat James Webb.
GÇ£Virginians expect to hear us address the real issues you care about,GÇ¥ said Allen, accompanied by his wife, Susan. GÇ£Over the past several weeks, that hasnGÇÖt been the case. Some of this I brought on myself. But the negative personal attacks and baseless allegations have also pulled us away from what you expect and deserve.GÇ¥
That seems like so long ago. But it wasn't - it was on October 2nd, less than a month ago. In about 30 days, Allen went from promising a campaign on the issues to engaging in a campaign that only makes news when it's smearing Jim Webb's character.
Isn't this the textbook definition of hypocrisy?
But how is it playing with the people who are only moderately aware there is an election on Tuesday?