This is in its nascent stage, and hasn't really bubbled beyond the beltway here in Virginia too much...but this is starting to feel to me like this is going to backfire on Allen. Webb's response has been right on, and he is getting defended by some prominent right wingers...McCain and George Will who gave glowing reviews of his novels...and even the Washington Times (see below)
This from the Washington Times...
George Allen is an opportunistic philistine.
What other conclusion to draw from the senator's outrageous cherry-picking of "underage sex scenes" in his opponent James Webb's novels?
.......
This is an even cruder variation of the literal-minded smear that attached to Vladimir Nabokov after he published his brilliant "Lolita." Some readers refused to accept that someone who wrote in a fictional context about pedophilia did not approve of pedophilia -- or, worse, was a pedophile himself.
If, today, anyone is scandalized by what Webb wrote, that's their right -- and their folly.
Earlier this week I floated the scenario that if he wins Nov. 7, Allen might come out of the race an even stronger, steelier contender for the 2008 presidential nomination. This may or may not eventually prove true.
What I know for sure is that is I can't now vote for Allen in good conscience
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blogs/storyview.php?StoryID=20061027-012155-9276r&TopicsID=riffSteve Jardings blistering response from the Webb campaign...
From: Steve Jarding
Re: Shame on both of you
George Allen and his campaign hit men this week chose to again attack Jim Webb and his military experiences, this time by taking passages from Webb’s novels to try to suggest that the explicit war time experiences Webb writes about are demeaning and repugnant.
On their attacks, I would like to say two things. First, the novels that the Allen camp attacks include Fields of Fire, which has been called the classic novel of the Vietnam War and was for years required reading on college campuses nationwide in classes relating to the illumination of war. They include, The Emperor’s General, which has been called a masterpiece of literature and was called by that raving liberal George F. Will, “This compelling, fascinating exercise of historical fiction proves, again, that Jim Webb is as fine a novelist as he was a Marine. Enough said;” and they include Born Fighting, which has been called brilliant and the most important ethnography of our time. Perhaps the Allen camp should learn to read books before they begin burning them.
Second, let me say one more time to George Allen and his lapdog assassins. Senator, you have not earned the right to question Jim Webb’s wartime experiences, from the ugliness of combat to the ugliness of what happens to civilians in nations ravaged by war. Senator, Jim Webb wrote of things he witnessed. They may have been ugly, but we should learn from their ugliness about the consequences of our votes and actions before we send men and women into war.
And Senator, you would not know this, but, war is demeaning, war is repugnant. People die and get maimed there. Innocent boys and girls are forced into prostitution, and are forced to perform heinous acts there. Jim Webb witnessed it all. And he wrote about it. You don’t think this is happening in Iraq?
Perhaps if you had read Webb’s book, you would not be so quick to take his experiences and attempt to twist them for selfish, personal, political gain. Perhaps if you had purchased Webb’s books and at least read about these types of atrocities, you would not have been so gung ho about blindly following the misguided and malfeasant actions of another man who did not witness firsthand the ugliness of war, George W. Bush. And perhaps if you had gone to Vietnam and served as a company commander instead of serving as a drover at a dude ranch, or serving as a surfing instructor on Malibu Beach, you would temper your feigned indignation. A man who did read this same book you disparage, John McCain, praised its honest portrayal of the heinous nature and repercussions of war.
Perhaps Senator, if sheltered Hollywood neighborhoods and elitist dude ranches had unspeakable death, destruction, rape, and unspeakable inhumanity to man and woman, you might now know how self serving your shock and indignation is. But, until you have witnessed firsthand the ugliness of war and the destruction it reaps upon all people, including the innocent ones, you should learn to keep quiet.
I understand, Senator, that your campaign is desperate and as such it is doing desperate things. But it is not lost on anyone that you were the one who went on statewide television pleading for a campaign on the issues. You clearly did not mean the words you uttered.
And finally, to Chris LaCivita, who did serve. Your statement regarding Jim Webb’s recollections of his war experiences, do not warrant a response. Shame on you.
http://www.webbforsenate.org/blog/node/239
Rumblings abourt Allen's divorce records bubbling back up again...
Emails began pouring in earlier today about a rumor on Capitol Hill about some trouble in Sen. George Allen's (R-VA) divorce file. Josh Marshall and others cannot get a response from the Allen campaign.
It seems everyone is emptying their opposition research files today.
Update: A very reputable political reporter tells me this isn't from Democratic opposition research and that it's probably coming out because many feel Allen "crossed the line" when he started talking about Jim Webb's novels.
I'm told divorce records are usually sealed for two reasons: (a) to protect kids, and (b) to protect large financial fortunes. Neither situation applies in Allen's case, so the suspicion is that it's something not very nice.
Update II: A clue might be in Ryan Lizza's recent piece on Mark Warner that cites a story that had been "making the rounds" about a 2008 presidential contender who "once spit on his wife." That rumor was also about Allen.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/10/27/buzz_in_virginia.htmlEven the MSM is getting in on it...
Lynne Cheney being forced to lie on national TV...
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/10/lynne_cheney_st.html
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