George Allen will be the next President of the United States.
Posted on 09/19/2006 4:16:14 AM PDT by nj26
First came Sen. George Allen's Macaca Moment. Then we learned of challenger Jim Webb's thoughts on the "horny" women of the Naval Academy.
Now, just when you thought Virginia's U.S. Senate race couldn't get any weirder, the Jews of Tunis are making a cameo.
At a debate in Tysons Corner yesterday between Republican Allen and Democrat Webb, WUSA-TV's Peggy Fox asked Allen, the tobacco-chewing, cowboy-boot-wearing son of a pro football coach, if his Tunisian-born mother has Jewish blood.
"It has been reported," said Fox, that "your grandfather Felix, whom you were given your middle name for, was Jewish. Could you please tell us whether your forebears include Jews and, if so, at which point Jewish identity might have ended?"
Allen recoiled as if he had been struck. His supporters in the audience booed and hissed. "To be getting into what religion my mother is, I don't think is relevant," Allen said, furiously. "Why is that relevant -- my religion, Jim's religion or the religious beliefs of anyone out there?"
"Honesty, that's all," questioner Fox answered, looking a bit frightened.
"Oh, that's just all? That's just all," the senator mocked, pressing his attack. He directed Fox to "ask questions about issues that really matter to people here in Virginia" and refrain from "making aspersions."
"Let's move on," proposed the moderator, George Stephanopoulos of ABC News.
Yes, let's -- but not before we figure out what that was all about. Turns out the Forward, a Jewish newspaper, reported that the senator's mother, Etty, "comes from the august Sephardic Jewish Lumbroso family."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
My guess is that since Northern VA has a very high Muslim population, Webb's comments were meant to alienate that voting block towards Allen.
George Allen will be the next President of the United States.
There have been anti-Semitic overtones by the Webb campaign from the beginning. This is just an additional part of it. I'm sure the question was a plant.
its an attempt at denergrate a person for being related to a Jew. Reminds me of the attack used by the Democrats against Cheney's daughter for being a lesbian
except there's nothing wrong with being a Jew and much to be admired.
i didn't read any comments by Webb, the question and comments were by Peggy Fox, the news anchor that asked the question. i live in noVA and i am not sure how many muslims with voting rights there are. i tend to doubt many of them are US citizens. NoVA is a dem stronghold and going to go for Webb in any event, i would think. i am definitely surprised by all this weirdness, though, the macaca comment and this stuff too. not a boring campaign, that's for sure!
... what's it saying is the Democrats want anti-Jew and anti-Lesbian voters
"I'm sure the question was a plant."
No doubt about that.
Question is whether the motive was to depress turnout for Allen in southside Virginia and among Muslims in Fairfax County, or whether it was to get under his skin and provoke him into an anger tantrum (as it successfully managed.)
Bottom line... Allen played right into their hands.
So asking if you have Jewish ancestors is "casting aspersions"? What's that about?
Okay, guess now we can ask anyone in politics about their backgrounds, and if they object, say they are denying their heritage for political reasons. Geez, the Democrats get angry if you ask them about their "heritage" of what they voted for two months previously.
I also note the article's smug commentary about how "unlikely" a Jewish person Senator Allen would make. Begs the question to the Post: what makes a Jew? Do they have some sort of special knowledge over this? Is this the same rationale that allows Bill Clinton to be African-American, when apparently Clarence Thomas isn't?
Are you willingly taking Milbank's characterization of the event?
The only time it should matter is if they are against religion altogether. You know the first amendment doesn't say freedom from, it says freedom of religion. Peggy Fox is a stupid dem talking point for Gannett my local channel 9.
You fell for it.
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.