It's Part of the Strategic Plan

In A Platform of Bigotry, Bob Herbert of the NY Times discusses the "antics" of George Allen, who seems to have elevated his racial problems to an art form -- "Bigotry in Motion." Herbert also puts Allen's conduct in perspective, as it exists within the history of the Republican Party:

George Allen, the clownish, Confederate-flag-loving senator from Virginia, has apparently been scurrying around for many years, spreading his racially offensive garbage like a dog that should be curbed. With harsh new allegations emerging daily, it’s fair to ask:

Where are the voices of reason in the Republican Party — the nonbigoted voices? Why haven’t we heard from them on this matter?

* * * *

Beyond the obvious problems with the senator’s comments and his behavior is the fact that he so neatly fits into the pattern of racial bigotry, insensitivity and exploitation that has characterized the G.O.P. since it adopted its Southern strategy some decades ago. Once it was the Democrats who provided a comfortable home for public officials with attitudes and policies that were hostile to blacks and other minorities. Now the deed to that safe house has been signed over to the G.O.P.

Ronald Reagan may be revered by Republicans, but I can never forget that he opposed both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of the mid-1960’s, and that as a presidential candidate he kicked off his 1980 general election campaign in Philadelphia, Miss., which just happened to be where three civil rights workers — Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and James Chaney — were savagely murdered in 1964.

During his appearance in Philadelphia, Reagan told a cheering crowd, “I believe in states’ rights.”

* * * *

You don’t hear President Bush or the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, or any other prominent Republicans blowing the whistle on the likes of George Allen and Conrad Burns because Republicans across the board, so-called moderates as well as conservatives, have benefited tremendously from the party’s bigotry. Allen and Burns may have been more blatant and buffoonish than is acceptable, but they have all been singing from the same racially offensive hymnal.

* * * *

It’s been working beautifully for the G.O.P. for decades. Why would the president or anyone else curtail a winning strategy now?

This is a theme I have discussed before, see Bill's a Bigot. For an earlier post on Allen, see, Powerful Words.

Now Slate takes a different perspective on the Allen matter altogether, noting:

George Allen has spent all summer with his foot in his mouth. On Sunday, Salon reported that a handful of the Virginia senator's former football teammates claim he repeatedly used the word nigger. . . . Last week, Allen accused a reporter who asked about his mother's Jewish background of "making aspersions about people."

As an antidote, Slate offers The George Allen Insult Generator:

We know what you're thinking: When's George Allen going to insult me? That's where Slate's George Allen Insult Generator comes in. Are you black? Fat? A stamp collector? Sen. Allen's got an insult—and a rationalization—waiting for you.

Try it, you'll like it.

(See also The Unknown Candidate for Herbert article).

Tags: Commentary, Bob Herbert, Racism, Politics, George Allen