Posted on 06/27/2006 6:33:29 PM PDT by ncountylee
RICHMOND, Va. -- Republican Sen. George Allen attacked Democrat James Webb for opposing a constitutional flag-burning ban and Webb fired back Tuesday, calling Allen a coward who sat out the Vietnam War "playing cowboy at a dude ranch in Nevada."
In a searing press statement, a senior adviser to Webb, a decorated Vietnam veteran, went to extraordinary lengths to question Allen's fortitude, even repeatedly using the middle name the senator detests and never uses, Felix.
"While Jim Webb and others of George Felix Allen Jr.'s generation were fighting for our freedoms and for our symbols of freedom in Vietnam, George Felix Allen Jr. was playing cowboy at a dude ranch in Nevada," said Webb strategist Steve Jarding.
Allen adviser Dick Wadhams called Jarding's comments pathetic and said they raise questions about Webb's fitness for office.
"They're saying we questioned (Webb's) patriotism, and that's a lie," Wadhams said. "We just raised a legitimate question about whether he supports a flag amendment or not. How is that questioning his patriotism?"
And besides, Allen's name does not include the suffix Jr., a campaign aide added.
The rhetorical crossfire began after an Allen news release noted Webb's opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to ban desecration of the U.S. flag. Allen, who is seeking a second term even as he explores a 2008 presidential bid, supports the measure, which the Senate rejected in a 66-34 roll call vote Tuesday evening.
In Allen's release, Wadhams said Webb's opposition shows Webb is "beholden to liberal Washington senators" John Kerry and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Charles Schumer of New York, all Democrats who oppose the flag-burning ban.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailypress.com ...
Thank you...that means a lot coming from you, Bah.
Excellent Post!
Just what are James Webbs qualifications?
Congress? Senate? Governor?
Im going to declare Webb a one trick pony.
He has a service record beyond reproach and thats all
Wow, does this sudden shift in liking Viet Nam Vets mean they think bragging about their exploits will fool the American Public?
Did they not learn anything from sKerry last time?
Heh Heh Heh
This is only June and the guy is in total meltdown!
What a juvenile moronic response Webb and his boy wonder gave!
I can't believe it!
Miller wouldn't have been half so much fun.
Thanks, my first inclination was to panic. But this is good, the guy has a short fuse and he wants to debate Allen 4 times, I think I heard. Prior to this I would have said NO WAY, now Allen has to debate this guy. :)
The book is a very eloquent history of the Scots-Irish, and goes into detail about the customs and attitudes of this group, of which Webb is one.
He is very sensitive to the attacks on his people," and I believe is carrying this attitude into the campaign.
Webb feels like the Scots-Irish are misunderstood and undervalued, denigrated as "rednecks" and "trailer trash." Webb makes the case that above all, the Scots-Irish are a warrior people, and fighting is what they value more than anything else.
Now, an interesting thing will be how many of this group are Virginia voters and identify with Webb (a demographic which normally has gone to Republicans in the last few years).
Webb is apparently trying to atract this demographic, and his contempt for Allen is probably real.
I do not understand why he became a democrat. It's puzzling.
That's the legislation we need. Protecting the people who beat the snot out of people who burn the flag. Now that's an Amendment I would support.
"Allen just has to tweak him slightly and Webb will cover the TV cameras in spittle."
Excellent point. "The Howard Dean Syndrome" is showing. Maybe he has a scream that will cost him this election like it cost Howie the Democratic nomination for Prez.
Think Perot, think McCain, and now this nasty sob Webb.
And it failed by one vote.
I'm very surprised that Webb was so stupid as to oppose the flag burning amendment when it's irrelevant to his candidacy.
The amendment lost bad. The people spoke through their representatives.
AND, I HATE the way these libs, especially the veterans, are acting like unless a person has served in the military...they are WORTHY of election.
In all fairness, we were certainly like that with Clinton when he was running.
No, Webb is the real deal. He is an authentic war hero.
No one is questioning Webb's military service.
However, his public policy views, his temper and his opportunism are fair play.
Man if he was running as a Republican we would be loving this guy. I wish he was because he really would win. Obviously along with running as a Republican, he would have to change his opinions of issues. He would pound Allen into the sand if he was Republican. It is a shame, but I don't think that he had anyother choice if he wanted to be senator. If he was Republican, we would be calling him President of the United States in 2008.
Ping.
1) George Allen's draft number was 229.
2) He was eligible for the 1971 draft for 1972 induction.
3) Nixon was already withdrawing troops in 1971.
Good stuff I didn't know. Thanks!
This scumbag webb will quickly find out that his service in Viet Nam will be a problem for him with rank and file rats.
No one will care about that. People will see that pelosi has her hand up his ash working his head on this and other issues. Anyone who seriously thinks webb can win is a fool.
You hear that larry, a fool.
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