[Congressman Billybob]

Note the last part of the "Are you a Jew?" question. The so-called reporter asked when Allen's Jewish heritage "had come to an end." That is the aspersion -- that he was a Jew and abandoned his heritage.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "A Burial at Arlington"

Please see my most recent new statement on running for Congress, here.

[The G Man]

Billybob:

A reasonable explanation. Thank you.

G(oof)

[AnAmericanMother]

FWIW, I heard the tape of this.

The reporter provocateuse had a nasty tone of voice when she read this question, and when she asked when he had abandoned his Jewish heritage, her voice positively dripped venom.

I think it was within bounds for Allen to respond with passion to such a loaded question asked in such an overtly nasty way.

The countervailing problem is the sort of noncommittal, emotionless response to a loaded question -- like when somebody asked Dukakis what he would do if his wife was raped and murdered, and he answered with a long, dull, absolutely emotionless discourse on crime and punishment.