Skip to comments.
ABC: Allen To Be 'Haunted For Years to Come' By 'Macaca' Comment
GMA/NewsBusters ^
| Mark Finkelstein
Posted on 08/16/2006 5:44:01 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
August 16, 2006 - 08:02
We all remember how the MSM climbed all over Hillary Clinton when a few years ago she thought it was funny to claim that Mahatma Gandhi "ran a gas station down in St. Louis." Or more recently when she made her "plantation" remark.
And of course we recall the liberal media saying it was a career-ender for Joe Biden to have said "you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking,"
Or not.
But let George Allen make a similarly insensitive comment, and the MSM is ready to call it curtains on his career. Let me preface by saying that Allen was wrong to have said what he did. For that matter, his claim that he was unaware of the meaning of the term he used, 'macaca', is unconvincing given that his mother is of French Tunisian background, in which circles the term is apparently used.
That said, this morning's Good Morning America was a study in piling on.
Co-host Bill Weir introduced the segment by darkly musing whether this was an innocent case of foot-in-mouth disease, or something - pause for dramatic effect - "more sinister."
ABC reporter Jessica Yellin narrated the segment, and to make the case against Allen, ABC was even willing to feature a competitor, as NBC/MSNBC's Chris Matthews popped up in a clip, gleefully speculating whether this was "suicide by George Allen."
Yellin's only question for the object of Allen's comment, S.R. Sidarth, the Webb campaign volunteer who apparently has been following Allen around the state, videotaping his appearances for opposition research appearances: "would you like the senator to apologize to you?" He would.
The only other person whose comments on the matter were aired was Ryan Lizza of the liberal New Republic. Yellin introduced her guest by informing us that Lizza is of the view that the incident "could cripple the senator's presidential ambitions." Lizza was shown saying "I think it's pretty bad . . . and I don't think he's going to overcome it."
Yellin concluded by flatly claiming "you can be sure that the gaffe will continue to haunt Sen. Allen for years to come."
Yellin is probably right - as long as the MSM is around. And you know what I'm talking about!
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 711; abc; allen2006; biden; chrismatthews; dopeydems; dunkindonuts; gandhi; georgeallen; gma; hillary; jameswebb; lizza; macaca; mediabias; msnbc; newrepublic; sidarth; webb
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 141-150 next last
To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; YaYa123; MEG33; ...
GMA/NewsBusters ping to Today show list.
2
posted on
08/16/2006 5:44:27 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
You can't make these kind of mistakes and run for POTUS. Period.
3
posted on
08/16/2006 5:46:32 AM PDT
by
veronica
(NEW LITERARY AND ARTS JOURNAL offers free advertising for writers, bloggers, artists. FRmail me...)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
The only other person whose comments on the matter were aired was Ryan Lizza of the liberal New Republic. Yellin introduced her guest by informing us that Lizza is of the view that the incident "could cripple the senator's presidential ambitions." Lizza was shown saying "I think it's pretty bad . . . and I don't think he's going to overcome it." Wishful thinking on their part.
4
posted on
08/16/2006 5:46:39 AM PDT
by
tiredoflaundry
(Praying for Israel)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Let me preface by saying that Allen was wrong to have said what he did.No he wasn't.
The term "macaca" is no more offensive than the word "jerk" or "stalker" or "meshuggenah" is.
5
posted on
08/16/2006 5:46:43 AM PDT
by
wideawake
("The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." - Calvin Coolidge)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
People who are Ready For Prime Time don't make dumb mistakes like this.
Allen ain't the real deal. He might be somebody's VP, but he's not going to 1600 Pennsylvania.
He'll beat James Webb, though.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
6
posted on
08/16/2006 5:47:02 AM PDT
by
section9
(Major Motoko Kusanagi says, "Jesus is Coming. Everybody look busy...")
To: governsleastgovernsbest
in which circles the term is apparently used.
Must be a small circle; more like a dot. First I've ever heard of it.
7
posted on
08/16/2006 5:48:03 AM PDT
by
P-40
(Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
To: section9
Allen ain't the real deal. True enough. He's a dim bulb - which is far worse than any particular position he happens to espouse or "racially insensitive" comment he might make.
But I hope he has a long tenure in the US Senate. ;)
8
posted on
08/16/2006 5:49:39 AM PDT
by
Mr. Jeeves
("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
To: wideawake
I've never even HEARD the word macaca....what the hell does it mean??
9
posted on
08/16/2006 5:50:07 AM PDT
by
Suzy Quzy
("When Cabals Go Kaboom"....upcoming book on Mary McCarthy's Coup-Plotters.)
To: P-40
It's in Tunisian and other such circles. No surprise most of us here, certainly including me, had never heard of it.
To: governsleastgovernsbest
The MSM seems to be concerned about Allen's run for president in 2008. Now the slimy left begins their assault on Conservatives/Republicans if they think they are a political threat to Hillary or Biden.
11
posted on
08/16/2006 5:50:54 AM PDT
by
Paige
("Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism." --George Washington)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Sheets Byrd still doesn't get any flack for his remark. I guess it all depends on what letter you have after your name.
12
posted on
08/16/2006 5:51:10 AM PDT
by
satchmodog9
(Most people stand on the tracks and never even hear the train coming)
To: veronica
If you are a democrat or a socialist or an outright communist you are not only forgive and the comments erased from teh MSM outlets, you are ENCOURAGED to make such comments about conservatives.
How many media outlets have "mitigated" hitlary's faux pas?
13
posted on
08/16/2006 5:51:13 AM PDT
by
longtermmemmory
(VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Nuff said?
14
posted on
08/16/2006 5:51:19 AM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
To: wideawake
15
posted on
08/16/2006 5:51:57 AM PDT
by
beyond the sea
(The truth exists even when ignored.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
After this incident, I'm more inclined to support him than previously.
16
posted on
08/16/2006 5:52:17 AM PDT
by
reelfoot
To: governsleastgovernsbest
He deserves to be hounded for it ... he's a republican
the press still hounds the Reverend Jackson for his Himey-Town comment about NYC and Grand Kligel Byrd for his White Nigger comments
Come on now what's fair is fair
.
17
posted on
08/16/2006 5:53:46 AM PDT
by
Elle Bee
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I watched Kkkris Math-hues last night drool over this and get the story completely wrong while doing it.
The MSM is digging their own grave.
18
posted on
08/16/2006 5:54:42 AM PDT
by
DoctorMichael
(A wall first. A wall now.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Tempest in a teapot, PERIOD.
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Macaca
20
posted on
08/16/2006 5:55:23 AM PDT
by
TommyDale
(It's time to dismiss the Duke fake rape case, Mr. Nifong!)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 141-150 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson