Richmond Times-Dispatch: Blacks moving toward Webb?

[rogue emissary]

Allen's comments provide an opening, Democrats say; some leaders uncommitted
BY TYLER WHITLEY
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Aug 27, 2006

U.S. Sen. George Allen's recent "macaca" comment may have helped solidify previously weak support for Democrat Jim Webb in the black community, several Democrats said last week. Webb, who did poorly in black precincts in the Democratic primary and who has a stance on affirmative action that has mystified some black leaders, will need a large black turnout on Nov. 7 to unseat Allen. The concerns about Webb in the black community prompted Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to invite about 40 leaders to the Executive Mansion on Tuesday night to meet with Webb. The reception was sponsored by Kaine's political committee, Moving Virginia Forward. "Allen's macaca comment solidified what many of us already knew about George Allen," said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, a vice chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "Some members of the African-American community may be concerned about Webb's stance on affirmative action," she added. "However, the question is whether he is better than Allen on most issues affecting the African-American community and the commonwealth as a whole, and the vast majority agree that he is"

Del. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, one of the few black leaders to back Webb over Harris Miller in the Democratic primary, said, "George Allen's macaca slur showed George Allen's true feelings. It exposed his heart." McEachin described the meeting at the mansion as "a good give and take. It showed what needs to happen for Jim Webb to win the campaign." But not all blacks have moved to Webb's camp. Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III, D-Richmond, who did not attend the meeting, said he always has found Allen accessible but doesn't know Webb. Lambert backed Miller in the primary.

After Webb defeated Miller, "you would think Webb would have called all of us ," Lambert said. "He acts like he doesn't want the nod." Del. Dwight Clinton Jones, D-Richmond, chairman of the Black Legislative Caucus, said, "We have two candidates who have not shown much concern for the minority community. It will be a difficult race for me to decide." Several years ago, Webb called affirmative action "state-sponsored racism."

He says those remarks were misinterpreted. He says the original intent of affirmative action, to help blacks overcome the negative effects of slavery, has been diluted to bring in other racial groups. He said diversity programs should be aimed at the other groups, including poor whites, while affirmative-action programs should be aimed specifically at blacks. . . ,
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190227671&path=!news&s=1045855934842

[underpants]

1. I saw McEachin at the Richmond grand opening yesterday

This is good news. I think that Macaca going to go a lot longer than most "experts" think it will.

[AlecBGreen]

2. thanks for the post Rogue

"Webb ... has a stance on affirmative action that has mystified some black leaders"

As I understand it, he IS NOT AGAINST AFFIRMATIVE ACTION - he simply thinks it should be based on more than just race. His arguement is why should a poor white kid from Appalachia not also qualify for AA?

[rogue emissary]

5. His argument on AA is one of the reasons I haven't embraced him.

Affirmative Action was designed to fight racism within our country. Suggesting that poor whites face the same type of systematic discrimination equal to African Americans is wrong IMO.

An example of a group that has benefited from Affirmative Action, but not because of their race has been women. They face the same type of discrimination and continue to face inequity in pay and access to leadership positions. Which is why I don't have a problem with women, or other racial minorities benefiting from AA.

When the poor white kid in Appalachia grows up. They won't have some one deny them a job or a loan just because they grew up poor in Appalachia. If they do run into discrimination they better start making noise about it.

[VaYallaDawg]

3. It's going to be tough to predict though.

Sen. Benjamin Lambert, who represents a large African-American sector of the Richmond area, has repeatedly commented on how "accessible" he has found George Allen. I don't know what part of his a** ol' Georgie must have kissed, but there's a story somewhere.

[Captain Hilts]

4. They can't sit this election out, they need to show up and vote. nt