« Headlines | Main | VICTORY »

September 20, 2006

VA: The Debates, and More

Allen and Webb had two big debates, one Sunday, one Monday. The Sunday debate was on Meet the Press, and iTunes has a podcast of it. If you have time, listen to it.

Some articles about the debate:
Times Dispatch:

Discussing Iraq, Webb, a former secretary of the Navy, said, "If we had the right people in the Senate there would have been more questions asked and a better policy in place in order to defeat international terrorism."

Conservative blogger Dean Barnett give Webb a positive review after the debate. Read his column to understand how conservatives could find themselves voting for Webb:
[on Webb's 1979 article criticizing women in the military]

For some reason, the Allen campaign spotted an opportunity in this ancient article, even though it is a common sense argument that women should not be leading recon missions or commanding infantry. I know not everyone will agree with the previous sentiment, but I’d wager 90% of the population would. So in other words, if you want to win an election and this becomes an issue in the election (which it is thanks only to the remarkably maladroit Allen campaign), you’re better off being with Webb’s 1979 argument than against it.

Again, for reasons that I don’t fully understand, Allen has decided to attack Webb from the left on this issue. When Russert pressed Webb on the matter, Webb was subtle and effective. While he apologized for his intemperate tone and wished that he had been more mature when he wrote the currently controversial article 27 years ago, he refused to throw his argument under the bus. He acknowledged room for women in the military, but he did not surrender the common sense ground that the infantry and similar areas should remain a male preserve.

There were also the notable stylistic differences between the two candidates. Allen seemed like a politician through-and through. Webb seemed like he was intellectually and spiritually slumming while exchanging barbs with Allen and dealing with the sometimes insipid questions from Russert (e.g. “Both of you chew tobacco. Is that a good example to set for the young?”).

The NYT has more on the debate.

The Washington Post discusses Allen and the question of his Jewish heritage in Monday's debate. More in the Times Dispatch.

Posted by Max at September 20, 2006 01:33 AM

Comments

Posted by: joe at October 2, 2006 04:12 PM

Posted by: The Caped Composer at October 6, 2006 10:53 AM