April 29, 2006

"Perfect" Timing?

FARMVILLE, Va -- Sen. George Allen (R-VA) said today that he was "absolutely insulted" by what he called the "erroneous" and "vicious" cover story in this week's TNR delving into his history on racial issues. Allen, in an interview during a break from his role of co-host of the Faith and Politics Institute's trip to this Southside VA town that closed down its schools rather than integrate in the years after Brown vs. Board, described the article as a "political attack piece" that "was already written" by the time he talked its author. "It does not reflect my views, record or what I aim to do in the future," Allen said

As for his past association with the Confederate flag, Allen said he had "learned over the years that" it "means different things to different people." He pointed out that some look at it and see "valor," while others see "lynching." Asked what he sees in it, Allen responded that to him "it means all these things." The fundamental issue regarding the banner, though, is "how it hurts people," he said. People can change, Allen argued.

But did the article, which was picked up and rehashed on the front-page of the Richmond paper on Friday, cast a shadow over his trip here this weekend with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and other members of Congress to discuss such very matters of race and reconciliation? Not at all. The timing was "perfect," he observed with a smile.

[JONATHAN MARTIN]

Posted at 05:39 PM

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