Macacca is a pejorative term (kind of like the "N"-word) for people of desi nationalities - Southeast Asians.
There was a liberal activist who was following Allen from campaign event to campaign event and videotaping his every move. Allan apparently recognized him, and it was starting to annoy him (Allen). The kid looked Pakistani or Indian. Allen, called him out and referred to him as "Maccaca". Allen would later say he didn't even know what the term meant, which was a bit incredulous. In any event, it went over like a stripper in church in the NoVA area of the state, sealing Allen's fate.
Plus... it occurred during a democrat-wave election year (2006), and through it all, still only lost by 9000+ votes. Allen would've cruised to victory were it not for the "macaca" moment. Voters that year were looking for reasons not to vote GOP and he gave them one.
I like Allen, and will definitely support him if he's the nominee, but some fresh blood on the GOP side for that seat would be helpful. I'd recommend Randy Forbes, the Congressional rep from VA-4, or perhaps AG Cuccinelli... but I'd like to see Bob McDonnell pass on this race and complete his term as Governor.
That’s a good Washington Post rendition of the story.
Macaca was a made up word. Trust me, on that. It was not widely known to have any usage in the English langauge until two Decmoratic bloggers spent several hours editing both the video and the wikipedia entries.
The consultant Allen hired pissed off the Washington Post and they returned the favor with a vengeance. Said consultant also convinced Allen to go on the apology tour.
That’s what sank the campaign. That and the fact that the consultant never planned how to win a Senate race, he was looking to the White House.
Allen’s biggest problem was listening to that consultant.
All that being said, Allen lost by less than half a percent on a night when Republicans were getting slaughtered nationwide.