The Daily Background

Here’s your weekend fix for the Virginia Senate race. I’ve got 5 stories for you.

1. David Shuster of MSNBC’s Hardball recently interviewed Pat Waring on the show. Waring says she personally heard Republican incumbnet Senator George Allen loudly and repeatedly used the word “nigger” at a football game. This comes on the heals of even more confirmation that Allen used the “n-word” in reference to African Americcans.

2. The “Sons of Confederate Veterans” organization say Allen has turned his back on them and are pissed because now they accuse him of “denouncing” their Confederate flag.

3. Well, if Allen is losing some support from racist conservatives, he’s gaining support from others. Well, one other at least: the Vice President. Which is sort of like tying yourself to a sinking rock and jumping into a lake. Cheney will be speaking in defense of the Senator at a private fundraising event for ultra-rich conservatives next week.

4. A new poll released Friday by MSNBC/Mason-Dixon/McClatchy (formerly KR) shows both Allen and highly decorated war veteran Democratic challenger Jim Webb tied, both with 43% support. It doesn’t look like a lot of people jumped for Allen to Webb, but the undecided group of voters has swelled to 12%, taking support away from Allen. Note that the poll was conducted among “likely voters.”

5. Oh yeah. And Allen just introduced some legislation too (bad time, as the year draws to a close). It’s to help African American farmers. Or something. His motives are extremely transparent. No word on which Democratic Senator he stole the bill from yet.

Oh, and P.S. The word is that Allen is now finished, kaput, done, out of any serious contention for the 2008 Republican nomination for President. McCain is probably laughing his head off now.

Filed under: oh six midterm Elections, Z-TDB Blog