VA-SEN: Allen's Statement On Macaca-gate: It Was A "Nickname"
Senator George Allen's statement to CNN on his referring to a campaign worker for Dem challenger James Webb as "Macaca":
“I’m concerned that my comments at Breaks Interstate Park on August 11th have been greatly misunderstood by members of the media."
Statement continues after the jump.
More:
“In singling out the Webb campaign’s cameraman, I was trying to make the point that Jim Webb had never been to that part of Virginia -– and I encouraged him to bring the tape back to Jim and welcome him to the real world of Virginia and America, outside the Beltway, where he has rarely visited. I also made up a nickname for the cameraman, which was in no way intended to be racially derogatory. Any insinuations to the contrary are completely false.“Yesterday, I apologized to anyone who may have offended by the misinterpretation of my remarks. That was certainly not my intent. On every stop on my Listening Tour -– I have talked about one of my missions for this country -– to make it a land of opportunity for all. I have worked very hard in the Senate to reach out to all Americans - regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender. And I look forward to continuing to advocate this important mission for America’s future.
“I never want to embarrass or demean anyone and I apologize if my comments offended this young man. Even though he has signed onto my opponent’s campaign, I look forward to seeing him on the trail ahead."
UPDATE: Allen makes similar comments in an interview with the Associated Press.
LIAR!
August 15, 2006 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, Mr. Allen, you came up with that nickname... how?
August 15, 2006 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
He has no credibility on the subject. He used to keep a confederate flag in his law office. He surrounds himself with white state troopers in photo ops. It would have been singularly weird if his Mom, raised in French Tunisia had never heard or used the term, and the term is commonly used among white supremecists and neo-Nazis. He was in south western VA, and Sidarth was the only person of color in the crowd. He mentioned the term 3 times, emphasizing it each time, then welcomed him to America, to the real world, and to VA. Every excuse offered by Allen invokes cognitive dissonance. He was telling the insiders in the crowd that he was one of them. Maybe he figured if it made the MSM, that nobody would know what he meant, outside of Nazi circles. The guys is a dangerous Authoritarian Racist, way beyond even the socio-pathic Bush.
Now he is just dissembling.
"If you talk about it, even the simplest thing becomes complex and incomprehensible." -Herman Hesse
August 15, 2006 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
To clarify for Mr. Allen:
"Sparky" or "Lefty" constitutes a nickname.
"Macaca" constitutes a racial epithet.
And this is a guy who wants to be President? This is what happens when you let members of the Bush family lower the bar for our chief executive.
August 15, 2006 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm such a whore. I gave you a four for quoting my favorite author, Hermann Hesse.
August 15, 2006 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Paul (Kiel, who posted the link on TPM),
You really should give the campaign a call and ask them a couple of questions:
1) How did the Senator come up with the nickname--and, no, the mohawk excuse does not fly.
2) In the first "macaca" reference, the Senator said, "Macaca, or whatever his name is." To an untrained ear that does not sound like a nickname. It sounds like name calling. Would Senator care to explain how this was an expression of his nickname?
Allen will waffle on the second question--the response would be something like, "It's just a difference in perception." But he can't dodge the first one. "Macaca" is not a random word. And the hairline reference makes no sense.
Josh posted a letter from TC that suggests that Allen's comment was made on purpose, in order to appeal to the white supremacist base. I wholeheartedly agree that this appears to be the reason for the comments. Also, note that, between the two macaca references, Allen also managed to insert the reference to Webb hobnobbing with "Hollywood elites", which is, in the white supremacist world, a coded reference to Jews.
This guy is just full of neo-nazi references. Watch his campaign carefully to see if numbers 33, 88 or 8 make regular or prominent appearances.
August 15, 2006 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did the Democrats just win the Senate? :-)
The country seems to have moved a bit since David Duke could pose a major challenge for governor of Louisiana.
I think this problem will not go away for George Allen.
August 16, 2006 2:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Allen: "I have worked very hard in the Senate to reach out to all Americans - regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender."
Does anybody else find it a bit odd to see "gender" in this list? Is it really so noble of the Senator to reach out to all Americans, even women? I mean, jeez, they only got the right to vote less than a century ago. What a guy.
Anyway, I think we all need to follow Steve Clemons' advice and do our best to see that this guy is nominated by the Rs. Please god oh please please.
August 16, 2006 3:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
As c4Logic said, while quoting Herman Hesse, in this thread back on August 15:
Now that this piece of work George Allen has everyone blabbing on and on ... has it all become complex and incomprehensible?
Oh ... And where'd the interest in the "Macaca" caca go, now that he's made himself the victim of being questioned about his mother's lineage?
~OGD~
September 22, 2006 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
UPDATE! for c4logic ... Make sure you see the latest in this thread here.
~OGD~
September 22, 2006 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink