Posted on 08/21/2006 3:04:55 PM PDT by DallasJ7
In an election for the United States Senate in Virginia today, 8/21/06, incumbent Republican George Allen edges Democrat challenger James Webb 48% to 45%, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for W*USA-TV in Washington, DC.
Since an identical SurveyUSA poll released 6/28/06, Allen has lost 8 points and Webb has gained 8 points. Allen's lead has shrunk from 19 points to 3 points.
Interviewing for this poll began 8/18/06, one week after Allen singled out a Webb campaign worker at an Allen rally. Allen has lost support across all demographic groups, but in particular, among younger voters. He has gone from Plus 23 to Minus 17, a swing of 40 points. In Southeastern VA, Allen has gone from a 2:1 lead to a tie, a 31-point swing.
Those who support Ballot Question 1, defining marriage in Virginia as between one man and one woman, vote for Allen by 39 points. Those who oppose Question 1 vote for Webb by 64 points. The election is in 11 weeks, on 11/7/06.
The Republicans have a 10-seat majority in the U.S. Senate. Allen's seat had been considered safely Republican, and Allen himself had been widely considered to be a Republican candidate for President of the United States in 2008.
Marriage Amendment Passes 2:1. In an election in Virginia today, 8/21/06, Question 1, which amends the Virginia Bill of Rights to define marriage in Virginia as between one man and one woman, passes with 65% "Yes" to 34% "No", according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for W*USA-TV Washington DC. Republicans support the Amendment 8:1. Democrats oppose the Amendment 5:4. Independents support it 3:2. 92% of Conservatives vote "Yes." 29% of Liberals vote "Yes." Those who approve of President Bush's job performance support the Amendment 9:1. Those who disapprove of Bush oppose the Amendment. The Amendment is supported by 89% of Allen voters but by only 39% of Webb voters.
The following is the result of what 567 "likely voters" said they would vote:
If the election for United States Senator were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican George Allen? Democrat Jim Webb? Independent Green Gail Parker Or some other candidate?
48% Allen (R)
45% Webb (D)
2% Parker (IG)
5% Undecided
Question 1 amends the Virginia Bill of Rights to say the following: that only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. In an election today, would you vote yes or no on Question 1?
65% Yes
34% No
1% Undecided
Thus, Allen should attack the cultural elite in this country---and the Dems in particular---for whom it is still politically correct to demean, stereotype and question the intelligence of southerners. George Allen should defend all the people of his state, who are looked down upon by the Dem establishment. He should defend his fellow Virginians, because this is an attack on them, not just him personally.
I think it's more like one gaffe and an all out press by the liberal media. I haven't seen them come after anybody this hard since Trent Lott wished Strom Thurmond a happy birthday.
Do you remember how they the press went nuts just before Schwarzenegger was elected. It's kinda been like that.
I think Allen will survive this, but who knows what else the DNC will pull out of the closet especially as they get closer to election day.
At any rate, if he wants the White House in '08 at least the Dems will have done a heckkuva kob of vetting him when the time comes around. Personally, I don't think he can cut it in the presidential slot, but it ain't like I got any other options in '08 myself.
Frist, anybody,...anybody?,...anybody???
This is another Example why the DEMOCRATS will not pick up one southern Electoral vote in 2008. And that includes warner from VA folks. He is letting the Rats get away with their attack on Allen.
Where is John Warner anyways?
Drunk at home in Middleburg where he is with the people he cares about. He does give a crap about the rest of us in VA.
Did you hear the Dem spokeswoman on Hannity last night?
I quote:
"Republicans DO NOT get the benefit of the doubt on racism".
There it is. Plain as day (except she used "republicans" as a code word for "southerners"). The Dems talk about the GOP Southern Strategy with no comprehension of how much southerners resent their assuming anyone who lives south of Cincinatti is fair game for racist accusations.
If Webb wins this election with this kind of garbage and with the help of the media, they will use variations on every Republican candidate in 2008. I wish people would smarten up and defend Allen, attack Webb, and quit aiding our enemies. End of rant.
BINGO!
What do you think of the strategy of having Allen turn this back on the Dems and pointing out their elitist stereotyping of Southerners? There's a strong resentment among southerners at being considered unintelligent racist knuckle-draggers just because of geography and accent. Allen could turn this from a personal attack and use it to defend ALL Americans (especially southerners...especially white Virginians) against the libels of the libs and their abettors in the MSM.
Remember that ad from the 2004 campaign about "volvo driving, latte drinking" elitists? I think the Dems are open to a similar ad portraying them as thinking of themselves as oh-so-superior to the vast majority of Americans...especially those who live south of Washington D.C.
Referring to that old ad, I now seem to recall that it was done in man-on-the-street format. I think Allen could put together a dynamite ad interviewing Virginians who respond that it could just as well been them. And that they consider the attacks on Allen as an attack on them personally.
It seems odd to me that we have not heard from a bunch of past co-workers, childhood friends, college classmates, etc. The only other candidate who seems to have no past like Webb's is Hillary Clinton.
I agree about Webb's background. I'm just saying Allen has an opening to make Webb and the entire DNC look small and elitist at the same time. Allen's goal is to gain votes. Go after the votes of those who resent the attitude of that DNC spokeswoman who said "Republicans DO NOT get the benefit of the doubt on racism". (If I were Allen, I'd use that clip to introduce the ad).
I agree.
BS. What we are witnessing is a major smear campaign orchestrated by the MSM at the behest of the Webb campaign. The phony macaca flap, Jewish grandfather, and now using the N-word in college are manufactured items to divert the public from the real issues. Your comments seem to indicate that you are buying what this smear campaign is putting out.
Allen is a major Dem target not just for 2006 but 2008.
The Dems view Allen as a serious candidate for President in 2008. His Reaganesque appearance and ability to relate to people make him a strong foe. They don't want this young former Southern governor and college quarterback with a famous sports name to be their opponent. Also, Allen did a tremendous job in running the 2004 GOP National Senatorial campaign.
The New Republic, NYT, and WP have been running concerted attacks against Allen since May. This has more to do with just a Senate seat. It is about character assassination of a possible Rep presidential candidate.
While the NYT, WaPo, and their allies view this as a two-fer (getting both the Senate seat and marginalizing Allen for the presidency), WE need to keep our eyes on the immediate effects of this attack. I don't really have a favorite in the presidential race, seeing both pluses and minuses in all of the candidates (except for McCain, who is nothing BUT a walking minus), but I support Allen wholeheartedly in this Senate race. Webb is revealing himself as a despicable individual and an opportunist. He doesn't deserve this win, and I am afraid that if people from our side keep sniping at Allen, he will lose enough supporters that he might lose the race, which would be really unfortunate.
That figures. They also see Allen as a threat in 2008. His "macaca" gaff supposedly eliminates him from future consideration for President, which I find ridiculous.
He doesn't deserve this win, and I am afraid that if people from our side keep sniping at Allen, he will lose enough supporters that he might lose the race, which would be really unfortunate.
I still see Allen winning here, but it will be closer than it should have been. Hopefully, this kind of vetting and attacks will make Allen a stronger candidate for 2008 and immunize him somewhat from similar tactics. The Dems/MSM made a major mistake bringing up the Jewish grandfather and the N-word. It will backfire on them.
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