UPDATE: W is going to Virginia tomorrow to raise money for Allen. They deserve each other.
There’s been so much excitement going on here in Alabama lately that I haven’t been covering some of the national news, including the incredibly rude and racist remarks by Sen. George Allen (R-redneck). Seems Sen. Allen was so shocked to see a nonwhite face at one of his re-election rallies that he referred to S. R. Sidarth, an American of Indian descent who works for his opponent’s campaign, as ”macaca”, not once but twice. (He also told the Virginia native, “Welcome to America.”) “Macaca” is a racial slur used in North Africa, where (just by coincidence, I’m sure) Sen. Allen’s mother was raised. The Senator first wanted us to believe that he was trying, and failing twice, to say “mohawk”. Then he wanted us to believe that he made up a word on the spot that just happens to be the same as a racial slur used in North Africa. Now he’s letting his campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, speak for him:
To: GOP leaders/Allen campaign leadership
From: Dick Wadhams, Campaign Manager
Re: Notes on a tough week
August 19, 2006I think it is obvious that this past week was difficult one for Senator and Mrs. Allen and the campaign. It is very clear that the news media created what they call a “feeding frenzy”, with the Washington Post alone doing major stories on the same issue for 5 consecutive days.
Literally putting words into Senator Allen’s mouth that he did not say (by speculating, defining and attributing meanings and motives that simply are not true), the Webb campaign and the news media seeming worked hand-in-hand to create national news over something that did not warrant coverage in the first place.
Even after Senator Allen apologized to the Webb campaign staffer in specific, and to anyone who may have been offended in general, the news media continued to print and re-print the same speculations and inaccurate portrayals of Senator Allen’s comments. Never in modern times has a statewide officeholder and candidate been so vilified in a desperate attempt to revive a campaign that was fast-sinking - the Webb campaign.
Senator Allen has said that his comments were a mistake. Who among us has not made mistakes? In fact, how many of us could put in the hours of work, travel, meetings, campaigning, etc. that Senator Allen has over the years and make as few mistakes as he has?…
And on and on, ad nauseum. Never in modern times has a statewide officeholder and candidate been so vilified? Exaggerate much? And this was something that didn’t warrant coverage in the first place? Why, of course not! Senate candidates should be free to spew racist garbage whenever they want, without fear that their words may end up on the nightly news. Sen. Allen is the real victim here. Just ask him.
I think Sen. Allen and Mr. Wadhams should share this week’s W(hiny)A(ss)T(itty)B(aby) Award.
Hat tip to MyDD, via Democratic Underground.
In addition to being a racial slur in Europe and French North Africa “macaque,” with pronunciation varying, is a racial slur in some white power groups.
Which makes the incident even more disgusting, and Allen’s claims of ignorance less believable.