September 18, 2006
VA SEN: If It Couldn't Get Stranger
Today's VA SEN debate, hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce at a Tysons Corner hotel, naturally included much discussion of labor issues and rural, Southwest VA. Yeah, we were confused, too, but then this hasn't been a typical VA campaign.
In what other race has the perennially sunny and forward-looking Sen. George Allen (R) seemed so reactive and defensive? Sure, he had to attack Mary Sue Terry (D), a 2-term AG and the favorite in '93, to convince VA'ians that they didn't want to elect a 4th consecutive Dem governor. And of course he pounded ex-Sen. Chuck Robb (D) for his allegiance to Pres Clinton and questionable "Virginia Values." But while carrying out both these tasks with the relish of the football player he was, Allen did so with a smile on his face and optimism in his voice. Now, never having run for re-election as a House member or governor, Allen the hunter finds himself in the rare position of being the quarry.
Having endured the worst spate of press in his quarter-century in politics last month, Allen has sought to redirect the media glare onto his opponent, ex-Navy Secretary James Webb (D). Dealing with his own racial issues, Allen is now in essence saying Webb has women issues. If the strategy wasn't clear when the his campaign helped to arrange a full-dress press conference last week with female Annapolis graduates speaking out against Webb's writing on women in the service, it was made evident today. At least twice, Allen sought to tie Webb's refusal to pull an ad featuring Ronald Reagan as an example of Webb's disrespect for woman. Citing Nancy Reagan's request that the spot be taken down, Allen said Webb was, in effect, treating the widow with the same contempt he treated other women.
Such hardball tactics are nothing new to Allen and his cadre of advisers, but, again, the difference is in the demeanor. Asked a bizarre question about whether his mother was (basically), racist, and then whether he had Jewish roots on his mother's side of the family, Allen (and the crowd) reacted with disdain bordering on outrage. And while he composed himself to bat down the query, he was still simmering about it when, in his closing statement, he thanked the reporters for their questions, but added a "most of them, at least" caveat.
But as shockingly vulnerable as Allen seems, Webb still can't seem to hit the right chord. Ignoring the precedent of Robb, ex-Gov. Gerald Baliles, ex-Gov. Doug Wilder, ex-Gov. Mark Warner and current Gov. Tim Kaine, Webb has sought to run a pro-labor campaign emphasizing class differences. Yes, he is anything but a typical pol, and, yes, he believes deeply in his populist philosophy, but why would he use his debut in front of the very pro-business moderates that he needs fundraising help from to declare that what VA and America need is more colllective bargaining? As Allen reminded Webb, VA is a right-to-work state and for many (at least the ones that seed statewide campaigns) such policies have worked out pretty well. Webb wants the campaign to be about more than Iraq, but is asking "What's The Matter With Virginia?" the best way to do it?
As with much else in VA politics, Dr. Larry Sabato may know best. The media-friendly UVa pundit cut his teeth working for the last populist to run atop the Dem ticket in VA, Howlin' Henry Howell. The fiery Howell took on "the big boys" in 3 straight GOV races in '69, '73 and '77 and VA responded by electing 3 straight GOP governors.
[JONATHAN MARTIN]
Posted at 03:05 PM
Comments
I watched a recording of the question asked of Sen. Allen, and saw nothing "bizarre" about it.
Snyder | 09.21.06 01:48 PM
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