A Virginia Senate campaign fought largely in Youtube got its newest Youtube moment today — courtesy the unlikeliest of sources, a reporter.
9News Now reporter Peggy Fox probably wouldn’t have been booed at Nuremberg. But that’s the treatment she got inside the Hilton McLean Ballroom this afternoon when she asked Sen. George Allen — onstage with Jim Webb in front of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce — whether his veins coursed with Jewish blood because his mother’s father Felix was reportedly Jewish. Allen’s middle name is – as Fox noted in her prosecution – Felix. J’accuse!
The crowd hissed and booed the question. Jews (full disclosure: I’ve been Jewish since birth. Both sets of parents? Yup, Jews) might liken the reaction to Purim, when every time Haman is mentioned during the reading of the Megillah he is given a vigorous vocal thumbs-down.
”I’d like to ask you, why is that relevant,” Allen said as the merchants continued to boo. “Why do you think they’re booing?” He did allow, “My mother’s French-Italian.”
Not to worry — the debate was also kosher for Christians. Webb seems to have a fondness for the Trinity — or at least, listing things in threes. As we learned in the debate, there are, variously, “three Americas” in the economy, “three categories” to classify the macaca incident, and “three quick points” about transportation.
Webb also seemed to covet his opponent’s positions, offering, “I’d like to echo many” things Allen said in his opening statement, and later “I would echo want Senator Allen just said.” Political junkies will fondly remember such agreeable utterances from Jack Kemp’s pleasant gambit against Al Gore in the 1996 VP debate.
Unclear if Allen liked being agreed with so much. Maybe the quarter of him that possibly wears a Star of David just feels guilty.
Summaries of debate from all around the commonwealth:
(For educational and comparison purposes, only)
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Allen, Webb in lively debate The candidates launch sharp assaults as their subject matter ranges beyond the Iraq war.
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/83372
McLEAN -- U.S. Sen. George Allen and Democratic challenger James Webb continued their feud over the war in Iraq on Monday and also traded blows over economic policies, stem cell research and recent campaign controversies during a debate before the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.
One day after the war in Iraq dominated a nationally televised debate between the candidates, Allen and Webb faced questions on a variety of topics during an hour-long appearance before 600 Northern Virginia business representatives and government officials at a Tysons Corner hotel. A media panel and moderator George Stephanopoulos of ABC News put questions to the candidates.
Allen, a Republican seeking a second term, seemed to welcome the change of pace. With polls showing Webb within striking distance of the Republican incumbent, Allen said the war should not be the decisive issue in a surprisingly competitive contest. He called the war "the issue that drives my opponent's campaign."
"This is not a one-issue campaign," Allen said near the end of the debate, repeating a declaration he had made in his opening remarks. "There are many issues that are important for the security and safety and prosperity of our country."
Allen, as he has throughout his campaign, emphasized his experience as a senator and former governor, suggesting that he has a better grasp on a broader range of issues than Webb does. Allen argued that issues such as energy independence, science and technology education and tax policy also deserve the attention of voters before the Nov. 7 election.
Webb, an author and former secretary of the Navy, painted Allen as part of a government establishment that has lost the confidence of voters -- and not solely because of Iraq.
"Every poll that we see shows that two-thirds of the people in this country believe that it is headed in the wrong direction," Webb said.
Webb, a decorated Vietnam veteran, again criticized President Bush's handling of the war and said Allen "is comfortable with the idea that we can stay in Iraq for 20 to 30 years."
Allen blasted Webb for suggesting Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Iran and Syria could play a diplomatic role in bringing the war to an end.
"It makes no sense whatsoever to have Iran, clearly a state sponsor of terror, having influence in forming the future of Iraq," Allen said.
Webb shot back: "Even the president of Iraq is talking to Iran, Senator Allen. Even the president of your government of Iraq."
Discussion of the war consumed just a fraction of a debate in which Allen and Webb spelled out differences on several issues.
Allen used a question about health care coverage to press his point that he offers more detailed solutions than Webb on key public policy questions. Allen said he will continue to push for legislation allowing for small-business insurance pools and individual health savings accounts to expand health care coverage. Webb voiced support for a mandatory health insurance law similar to one recently enacted in Massachusetts.
Allen reiterated his opposition to federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, saying public dollars should be directed toward research on adult stem cells derived from cord blood or other tissues. Webb said he favors taxpayer support for embryonic stem cell research because "you have to respect the weight of medical science and the need to be able to apply this sort of research to grave illnesses."
Though speaking to an audience made up largely of business interests, Webb boasted of support he has received from organized labor and said: "I feel very strongly that we need more collective bargaining in Virginia."
"We need to reinvigorate the people who believe in organized labor because of what has happened with the internationalization of the economy and the destruction of the American work force," Webb said.
Allen said that Webb "may want to be educated on the fact that Virginia has a right-to-work law" prohibiting compulsory union membership. Webb said he supports the state's right-to-work law.
The candidates also waded into recent campaign controversies. Allen twice chastised Webb for using footage of President Ronald Reagan in a campaign ad despite objections from Reagan's widow. Webb, who served in two defense-related posts under Reagan, has stood by the ad. But he did not respond to Allen's criticism on Monday.
Allen also offered another apology for using the word "macaca" to identify a Webb campaign volunteer of Indian descent who was videotaping an Allen rally last month in Southwest Virginia. He responded sharply when a Washington television reporter mentioned his mother's French Tunisian roots and asked him if he was sure he had never heard the word, which is considered a slur in some cultures.
Allen insisted he made up the word and said, "I hope you're not trying to bring my mother into this matter."
Webb again expressed regret for the tone of a 1979 magazine article titled "Women Can't Fight" in which he argued that women are unfit for combat. Webb also asserted in the article that the admission of women to U.S. military academies had "sterilized the whole concept of combat leadership training."
Five female graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy charged last week that Webb's article helped foster a hostile climate for women attending the institution in the early 1980s. Webb said his article still raised important issues central to the debate about combat roles for women. And he noted that he dramatically increased the number of operational assignments available to women during his tenure as Navy secretary.
Allen was unwilling to let Webb off the hook for the article, saying it was laden with "words of disrespect, words that were demeaning to women."
In response, Webb said: "Well, I guess this is my 'macaca' payback."
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http://virtuconindustries.blogspot.com/
Allen - Webb Faifax County Chamber of Commerce Debate Posted by Hirons on 9/18/2006
Debate started with welcoming by moderator George Stephanopoulos. As he said the race is turning into a barn burner that he didn’t want to miss. Questions would be coming from three members of the media that they developed and wrote themselves.
Candidates were introduced to applause of and standing ovations by their supporters. Allen had slightly larger number of people rise for his introduction.
Allen won the coin toss and started the opening statements. He welcomed everyone including his "friend, partner and teammate", Senator John Warner. He kept his message simple with what he would like to continue to work on: 1. Widening 66 and improving transportation support, 2. Energy independence, and 3. Better Education. "Better place to live learn, work and raise our families."
As Allen completed his opening statement Webb stood there with the deer in the headlights look on his face. He was waiting for Stephy to say his name – Good job Marine – way to be ready.
Then he starts his statement echoing the important issues Sen. Allen discussed. He started a story of reflection on a picture of his Grandfather that is in his office. By the way did you know his Grandfather was born in Franklin County? He’ll let you know in case you didn’t already know that.
He then jumped into why he is really running. Bush stinks and I’m here to fix it - or so he'd try to make you believe.
He also made reference to three Americas . . .sounds vaguely familiar to a Presidential and VP candidate in 2004 – but he only counted two Americas' – where'd the third come from?
Sen. Allen was asked are their three Americas? No! "We have ONE America" he answered to a resounding round of applause.
Webb’s response: we have one America in a sense of people, but three America's in an economic sense.
Next Question Sen. Allen will you follow Cong. Tom Davis in seeking voting rights for the citizens of DC?
Sen. Allen had a well prepared and thought out response. He supports making a federal enclave of the federal buildings and ceremonial part of the city and returning residential areas to Maryland. If Tom Davis bill passes house and finds its way to the Senate he would attempt to amend it to do just that.
Webb would support the Tom Davs plan.
Next question: Here it comes – hold on to your seats – Yes Maccaca – Your mother is from an area in the world that considers Maccaca a racial slur – did you really never hear the word before?
Allen: I made a mistake – thoughtless moment. I would have never used it if I knew it was insulting. My mother taught tolerance.
Then Peggy Fox asks the strangest question ever – do you have Jewish ancestry? That brought jeers from the audience. Allen was offended that a question like that was asked – we have a freedom of religion in this country and is religion or Webb's religion should not be a matter of concern.
Webb echoed what Allen had said. However he continued to say "the incident takes us back to the politics of Karl Rove – personal rather than sticking to the issues." What he regrets is that the Allen campaign has a commercial saying he was with the Reagan Administration for 10 months before he left.
Next Question:
Wal-Mart – Mr. Webb Do you support the Wal-Mart boycott – considering you are endorsed by organized labor?
He never did answer the question directly, but rather went into talking about the need to expand collective bargaining and need to reinvigorate organized labor.
Allen's response – We need to educate Mr. Webb that Virginia has a right to work law. Then he went on to present his ideas on health care: Health Saving Accounts, Small Business healthcare partnerships and litigation reform.
Stephy then asked Webb what his plan is to cover all Americans. He proclaimed that the Mitt Romney plan from Massachusetts is a good plan. Provide a sliding scale of coverage based on poverty rate. Sounds like a bureaucracy to me.
Webb did get in that he is not opposed to the right to work laws.
Next Question:
Embryonic Stem Cell research.
Sen. Allen – you voted against research would you reconsider if the benefits were proven?
Allen stuck to his guns to answer he does not support research or more accurately federal funding of research that destroys human embryos.
Webb supports based on the idea that the embryos used were created for IVF, and [that] Nancy Reagan supports it.
Allen got a quick response in to say Webb should also listen to Nancy Reagan with regards to his ad using a Reagan speech.
Next Question:
Big topic number 2 – War in Iraq
Sen. Allen you supported war in Iraq – What are we fighting for?
Allen – we must win. What we should not do is invite Iran and Syria to be involved in development of Iraq’s future, as Mr. Webb has advocated.
Webb restates that going in was a strategic mistake. We should be working with everyone in the region – much like Nixon did with China in 1971.
Stephy throws in a quick question:
What is the primary difference between where we go from here in Iraq?
Webb says we need to work with others to reduce our combat troops in Iraq.
Allen points out that Webb is quick to criticize, but has no clear specific plan.
Next Question
Sen. Allen you opposed motor voter laws as Governor of Virignia claiming they trample states rights, however you are supporting legislation that forces states to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states. – isn’t that trampling states rights?
Allen : no, motor-voter laws were unfunded mandates that the federal government was pushing on the states. The concealed carry legislations simply says states need to recognize permits issued in other states. It just makes sense.
Webb found something that he and Allen agree on - and he got in that he grew up around guns and supports gun rights.
Next Question
Mr. Webb would you vote to cut off appropriations to fund the war?
Avoiding the question, he answers the question by saying we need to work carefully and ask hard questions, and got in that we need a different type of leadership.
Stephy - get to the bottom - yes or no?
Webb - No that would not solve the problem.
Next Question
Sen. Allen do you support the idea of splitting up Iraq in three sections?
Allen - no any change like that needs to come from the people of Iraq.
Next Question:
It's time - Women in the Military
Mr. Webb you wrote about the women's role in the military – are you sorry for anything you wrote.
Webb's not sorry for discussing the issue or even making the statements he made, but does apologize for the "tone" of the article -- whatever that means.
By they way -- incase you didn't know that was 27 years ago.
Allen - "Those are written words and written words are words you think about." That got a decent reaction from the crowd.
Sen. Allen also got a jab in that he continues to disrespect women, but not listening to Nancy Reagan's request to pull his ad.
Final Question
(Question that makes no sense to ask candidates for the United States Senate.)
Would you encourage the Virginia General Assembly to come up with a tax package to improve transportation in Virginia?
Sen. Allen smartly responds to say he has no interests in meddling in state issues, however he does support improving the role of Federal Government in local projects and make sure we increase funding.
Webb response with three quick points: Agree with Allen need more public-private partnership, need to increase the percentage that VA gets back from every dollar VA gives by way of gas tax, and we have a great governor that he has good relationship with.
Time for Closing Statements
Allen – "You Know Me"
He reiterated his record of performance – As Governor he supported brining semi-conductor manufactures to Virginia -- last year production of microchips out paced cigarette production in Virginia.
Webb starts his closing statement by stating Mark Warner deserves a little bit of credit for Virginia's success -- that brought cheers and jeers to the room.
He closed with his call for strong leadership, brining up poll data. Blah blah blah.
In the end I was very pleased to see the debate discussed many issues. They kept the same old issues that have been beaten to death to a minimum. Allen definitely showed that he is not the one trick pony Webb is. Webb showed very little depth in the issues. Beyond his ability to speak for himself on the issues of the War on Iraq he did little more then rattle off standard Democrat talking points.
One thing of note after the conclusion of the debate the media crowded both candidates. I listened to Webb's interaction with the media for a couple of minutes. He had an interesting response to a reporter asking about Nancy Reagan’s request to pull the ad featuring Ronald Reagan. He brushed it off saying Nancy Reagan has never contacted him directly. The letter was signed by someone claiming to work for her and by the way Reagan was once a Democrat too.
Webb ticker:
4 mentions of Vietnam -- 3 mentions that he has family from Southwest Virginia.
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Liveblogging the Fairfax County Allen/Webb Debate http://www.allenhq.com/2006/09/18/liveblogging-the-fairfax-county-allenwebb-debate/
We're here in Tyson's Corner, just outside Washington, DC for the second day in a row of debates between Senator George Allen and Jim Webb. Check back often, as we'll be covering the debate and updating often. In the meantime, check out our friends at Allen's A Team for more coverage and information about this race.
Briefly, before the debate begins, let me echo something noted by Vivian Paige. Yesterday's Meet the Press debate was 50% about the war on terrorism, and 50% about tabloid "gotcha's". It would have been nice had Tim Russert asked about serious, substantive policies. Senator Allen has released a comprehensive energy policy proposal, he's talked about substantive education and technology policies, about serious immigration reform, tax policy, the war on terrorism and a great deal more besides. Meanwhile, Jim Webb has remained a one-issue candidate. We know he opposed the war on Iraq, but little more. Instead of a debate about the issues facing Virginia, the Meet the Presss debate turned into a gossip sheet. This morning, the New York Times carries it further, doing an article almost entirely devoid of serious substance, calling the race "combat boots vs. cowboy boots" Because that - wardrobe - is what the media and the Webb campaign have wanted to talk about so far.
We hope today's debate will be more substantive. It begins in moments.
1:01p - "This campaign is about all these issues, not one issue". Senator Allen has the first statement and he's discussing his policies. Energy independence and security, education, and projects that Virginia needs.
1:03p - Jim Webb's first statement is - of course - about his biography. He says he "echos" Senator Allen's interest in the issues, but doesn't actually say anything about them. Perhaps Jim Webb has a "Secret Plan" for Virginia.
1:06p - Webb has launched into his "three America'" class warfare argument. John Edwards pegged it at "two America'" in 2004. Webb one-upped him! (Soon, Howard Dean will have an epiphany for the next Democratic campaign message: "FOUR America's!")
Webb doesn't actually offer a solution, of course, except to suggest more socialism and protectionism.
1:11p - Allen and Webb are asked about enfranchisement for DC voters. Both support measures to accomplish that.
1:13p - A panelist accuses Senator Allen's mother of being a racist. Senator Allen says he hopes his mother will not be brought into and insulted to score political points. In fact, to the contrary, his mother taught him the value of tolerance.
And now she's baiting him with questions about his family's religion. Unbelievable. Senator Allen responds that his religion, Webb's religion-- it doesn't matter and it's none of her business. He's clearly upset at the religious McCarthyism.
1:20p - In a discussion about Virginia, Senator Allen says that Virginia is a place the started his professional career and a place in his heart, not a place he simply writes about in books.
1:22p - Asked about Wal-Mart, Jim Webb launches into a tirade against free trade and Virginia's right to work law. Protectionism.
George Allen supports consumer sovereignty - the right of individuals to vote with their feet, rather than having government control the market. He also supports litigation reform.
1:26p - Health care. Allen supports health savings accounts that give individuals ownership and control over their health care. Webb doesn't, perhaps because - as Allen suggests - the Union bosses don't want it.
1:30p - Senator Allen says he opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, but believes states should make their own decisions.
Webb supports Nancy Reagan's desire to fund stem cell research. Oh, NOW he listens to Nancy Reagan.
1:35p - Senator Allen points out that Webb and he agree that we do not need permanent bases in Iraq. Meanwhile, he points out, Jim Webb yesterday said we should get Iran and Syria to help us with Iraq. Webb, inexplicably, seems to think they're interested in seeing a positive outcome there.
1:37p - Question to Webb: what is the one key difference between you and Senator Allen? Webb claims the key difference is that Allen is comfortable with the US staying in Iraq for decades, whereas Webb wants to bail soon. And then, if we want to, he says, we can just ride back in to deal with any problems. Really? Is he advocating a second invasion of Iraq?
1:47p - Talking about Iraq, George Allen suggests market-based policies to get the Iraqis to buy in. Webb says we need to get out of the way so the Iraqi's can find their own way. Or, I suppose, have "their way" dictated to them by the next strongman.
1:49p - Webb says he apologizes for the tone of his article, but stands by it otherwise. He hasn't apologized to the women who accused him, however. Democrats like to point out that, though Allen apologized repeatedly immediately after the Sidarth incident, it took Allen an entire week to apologize to Sidarth personally. Webb is up to about 27 years without a personal apology.
1:53p - Regarding transportation issues, Senator Allen stands firm on federalism, pointing out that State transportation issues are best handled at the State level, by the people actually involved. He also suggests private investment alternatives and opportunities.
1:56p - Webb also suggests private alternatives -- a rare foray into non-Iraq policy! -- though he suggests turning over private efforts to the government after a short while.
1:58p - On Energy, Allen proposes investment in alternative energies, in more oil production and in energy independence.
Final Statements:
Allen talks about his record, about the economic development Virginia underwent while he was Governor -- turning Virginia into a technology hub, with our #1 export now technological. Allen was actually involved with building that bridge to the 21st Century that has made the Virginia economy so strong. Today, he has more proposals -- education, technology, energy and more -- to ensure that America and Viginia stay successful.
Webb admits that Virginia has made a lot of "progress", but that we're going in the wrong direction anyway. And he has solutions. Not solutions he's actually telling us, but solutions, nonetheless. Perhaps it's a Secret Plan. Anyway, he wants to go to DC to implement that Secret Plan.
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Interesting WaPo article on the blogging effort in the Webb/Allen race:
here
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Webb blogged a "fact check" page, relevant to the debate,
here. (Take it with a grain of salt).