Posted on 09/26/2006 7:50:21 AM PDT by Pokey78
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A noted political scientist joined one of Sen. George Allen's former college football teammates in claiming the senator used a racial slur to refer to blacks in the early 1970s, a claim Allen dismisses as ''ludicrously false.''
Larry J. Sabato, one of Virginia's most-quoted political science professors and a classmate of Allen's in the early 1970s, said in a televised interview Monday that Allen used the epithet.
Sabato's assertion came on the heels of accusations by Dr. Ken Shelton, a radiologist who was a tight end and wide receiver for the University of Virginia in the early 1970s when Allen was quarterback. He said Allen not only used the n-word frequently but also once stuffed a severed deer head into a black family's mailbox.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Anyway, as I said Allen should have been more clear about the "never remember saying it". He should have stuck with the part about not being what he was, and that he wasn't racist in college, and he got along with everybody, and that if he ever inadvertently used the n-word he was very sorry.
It wouldn't have admittede anything more. It would have allowed for the fact that a few people were bound to either remember, or misremember, him saying it or something like it, while emphasizing that it was years ago and it isn't what he is today.
You never want to blanketly deny EVER having said something, because you'll never prove you didn't, but since you asserted it, you now are somewhat obligated to answer ever charge, or eventually admit you might have.
If you say that you probably DID use the word, but that you were embarrased now about it and apoligize for it and acknowledge that the word is offensive and inappropriate, then when new people come out you can point back to your apology.
I've been impressed by Senator Allen on the issues. I'm not that impressed by his campaign skills. Problem is, his past races have been against men of principle, and were pre-internet-slimes. I think he is a "genteel" type, and wasn't used to people just smearing him for no reason.
30+ years ago and he is just now deciding he is offended by the supposed statements. And what about Sabato? Did he speak up for himself or others, call Allen on these alleged racist slurs at the time? No? Then sit down and shut up.
When was the last poll given in the Senate race and what are the numbers? Has there been a poll given since the Salon article came out?
Hillary.
I don't stay in touch with anyone from my class. And I changed majors and graduated a year later than I should have, so they were not there when he was. Just going on memory and impressions, he seemed to be a serious political animal even then and was carving out a career. I am not the least surprised that his center is located at UVA. I'm sure that they wanted him back. That's what made the criticism I heard at the time so surprising. No other student during my stay there got the kind of star attention that he did. I heard that Katie Coruic did later on, and I was in grad school then, but I never heard of her until more recently. It would be difficult to reconstruct what Larry was doing at college unless you find some of his close friends. There were several thousand entering students in my class.
The only way to end this biannual Dem race baiting crap is to make them pay for it. Shame them. It is time that the race hustlers pay for their sh*t. A campaign to boycott the WaPo and Channel 9 would be a start.
What's funny/sad about this is that are using the remarks that a 21-year old made before:
a) he graduated college.
b) he entered the workforce.
c) he was married.
d) he had any life experienced as an adult on his own.
Yet, we're expected to believe that this tiny, tiny slice 30 years in his past reveals his true inner thoughts and beliefs?
There was a Rasmussen poll last week showing Allen gaining a bit, as I recall. He was ahead 50-43 and the headline said something like Allen had bottomed out and was recovering. That was before these other 'ethnic' controversies though. We'd better hope he wins or it might take a miracle for Republicans to keep their Senate majority.
NY Times election projection page shows VA as one of those seats that is leaning Republican. They also have TN and MO in that category though every poll in those states has shown the Dem ahead, sadly.
Don't know if anyone has posted this yet:
Larry Sabato's campaign donations (from Open Secrets) - Jim
Matheson, $500 in 1999.
And have no doubt, this smear will all be used in whisper campaigns in the black communities in Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond. It will be printed up on flyers that will be quietly passed out in the black churches. Democrats have been doing stuff like this for years -- Create a false racial slur and then campaign in the black communities as though it were the truth, because we all know how dumb those black folks are and they will believe anything we tell them. Now you tell me, who is the real racist here?
I have a relative with family in the Jewish community in Norfolk, and he tells me the Democrtas are already running around there telling people that Allen knew he was a Jew and deliberately hid it for years because he was ashamed of it and din't want to lose the votes of all those rednecks in rural Virginia. This campaign has really sunk to new lows even for the Democrats.
I think it's because he's a genuine conservative, at least from what I can see. I think that he's vulnerable to the kind of attacks with which liberals hit Reagan and Bush. He's warm and affable and not always the most articulate politician (shades of Bush, not Reagan). He stands on genuine principle, not showy policy wonkism. It's what got both Reagan and Bush re-elected again to the chagrin of liberals who just can't understand it. But I think though they don't get it, they may see it in Allen.
Romney is an interesting contrast. He is clearly intelligent and articulate, but he's not as conservative as Allen. Allen is the kind of successful conservative who has dislodged dems from their throne the last several decades. I believe they are afraid of him and want to damage him now before he comes to the attention of national voters. Just my thoughts.
This has nothing to do with 2006 and everything to do with 2008.
Sabato is not neutral although it seems he tried, in the past, to present himself as neutral. I saw a TV program where he was speaking to a class and he definitely took jabs at the President and the Administration. Guess he feels Dems are regaining strength so he no longer needs to pretend he's objective.
But wouldn't it have hit the papers? If not, then this should be a dead issue. I can't believe Sabato would say this kind of unverifiable bilge.
Well, you can be sure that Larry would never criticize anyone for being gay; his mirror is too reflective for that.
This is the most vigorous effort to destroy a candidacy that I have ever witnessed. The Washington Post has almost daily stories or editorial, or op-ed hit pieces. When Salon magazine weighs in, you can be sure a real hit job is being carried out. They will say things that are untrue that other news organizations who wouldn't write them, will then quote them.
The obvious question should be. Prety small deer head
or very large mailbox?
When the race card comes out the opponents know they have
no chance.
This is all about keeping black voters on the Democrat plantation. If they lose the black vote, they have no chance of winning anything anymore. If they can't prove those Republicans are racists, they'll just make stuff up! They'll keep voting for Democrats even though they aren't doing a damn thing to deserve their votes.
It's also probably designed to get to black voters in the D.C. suburbs in Maryland who are thinking about voting for Mike Steele.
"Can you ask around your college friends and see what they remember? Shoosh, we have all said and done stupid things in college, its part of growing up. ..."
Maybe George Allen did use a "slur". Maybe he even farted in his dorm room. What's the big deal. It was 30 yrs. ago.
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