I was just reading about the the new Webb allegations regarding the N word. Apparently Webb used it in his novels on Viet Nam but there is someone out there that is claiming he used it personally. It was a WashPost article - they claim the Allen campaign searched for this source and he is stepping forward now.
If the Allen campaign did look for this dirt, do you think it was prudent?
I assume "they" means the Webb campaign. I find it interesting that the WP can qualify such accusations about Webb and report allegations against Allen as fact and not connected to the Webb campaign. Par for the course. The accuser of Webb has been named and come forth.
If the Allen campaign did look for this dirt, do you think it was prudent?
Prudent? Politics ain't bean bag. If the Webb campaign is going to smear Allen, then you have to respond in kind. Every campaign has its operations research folks who dig up negative information about the opponent. The question is how personal you want to make it. Webb has made it real personal.
It is painfully obvious what Webb is trying to do. He wants to paint Allen as a racist and bigot in a state that has a 19% black population, 6% Hispanic, and 5% Asian. Webb wants to energize those voters and get them to turn out in large numbers. Webb is using the Jewish connection to play on alleged redneck, racist attitudes in a southern state. Webb has a distinguished military record and is a USNA grad, which could play well in places like Norfolk and Virginia Beach where plenty of active duty and retired Navy live.
Webb's best chance to win is through a smear campaign. He cannot win on the issues in Virginia nor on name recognition and familiarity with the voters. Webb must personnally destroy Allen and that is what his campaign is all about. The MSM, especially the WP, has been pulling out all stops to get Allen. They want to remove him from any consideration in 2008 by making him damaged goods, win or lose, in 2006.