2006 United States Senate election in Virginia

none March 2026 November 2017 2006 United States Senate election in Virginia Virginia presidential no 2000 United States Senate election in Virginia 2000 2012 United States Senate election in Virginia 2012 November 7, 2006 150x150px 44.0% (voting eligible)http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html 2006 General Election Turnout Rates George Mason University Dr. Michael McDonald December 28, 2011 March 4, 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130125091319/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html January 25, 2013 Jim Webb, leaning against pillar, 2007 (close cropped).jpg Jim Webb Democratic Party (United States) 1,175,606 49.59% File:George Allen official portrait (3x4 cropped).jpg George Allen Republican Party (United States) 1,166,277 49.20% 300px County and independent city results 300px Congressional district results 300px Precinct results 1 300px Webb: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Allen: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% U.S. Senator George Allen Republican Party (United States) Jim Webb Democratic Party (United States) The 2006 United States Senate election in Virginia was held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Senator George Allen ran for reelection to a second term but was narrowly defeated by former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb, who earned 49.6% of the vote to Allen's 49.2%. With a margin of just 0.4%, this election was the closest race of the 2006 Senate election cycle. This was the second consecutive election for this seat where the incumbent lost re-election. Allen later unsuccessfully ran for this seat again in 2012 when Webb did not seek re-election. This is the last time a senator from Virginia lost re-election. Background Allen, who previously served as governor of Virginia and was considered a possible candidate for president in 2008, was running for his second term. Webb, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, writer and former secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, won the Democratic nomination after being drafted by netroots activists, such as those at the blog Raising Kaine. Polls clearly favored Allen through mid-August, but on August 11, he was filmed using the ethnic slur "Macaca" in reference to a Webb campaign volunteer, S.R. Sidarth, who is of Indian ancestry. He also told Sidarth, "Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia," despite the fact that Sidar was born and raised in Fairfax County, and was a University of Virginia student at the time. Allen denied any prejudice in the comment, but the video was quickly spread online, and the gaffe caused his lead to shrink considerably. Still, he led in most polls until late October, when several surveys showed Webb with a lead—mostly within the margin of error. The election was not decided until nearly 48 hours after the polls closed, when Allen, behind by a margin of about 0.3%, conceded on November 9, 2006. With all of the other Senate races decided, the outcome swung control of the Senate to the Democrats.http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/va.senate/index.html Allen concedes, giving Senate control to Dems CNN November 9, 2006 November 9, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061110090955/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/va.senate/index.html November 10, 2006 Democratic primary Candidates Harris Miller, businessman Jim Webb, former United States secretary of the Navy Endorsements Miller Kate Michelman, pro-choice activist http://www.miller2006.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=1390 Endorsing Harris Miller... Harris Miller for US Senate Website October 1, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060906094639/http://www.miller2006.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=1390 September 6, 2006 Several Virginia state senators Alexandria city councilmembers Webb U.S. Senator Harry Reid U.S. Senator Tom Daschle U.S. Senator Dick Durbin U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey U.S. Senator John Kerry U.S. Congressman John Murtha U.S. Congresswoman Leslie Byrne U.S. Congressman Owen Pickett General Wesley Clark Former State Delegate Chap Petersen Former U.S. Senator Chuck Robb and his staff https://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2006/05/us-senator-debbie-stabenow-endorses.html Wilmore J.C. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow endorses Jim Webb The Richmond Democrat Blog J.C. Wilmore May 24, 2006 Blog https://web.archive.org/web/20061102204611/http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2006/05/us-senator-debbie-stabenow-endorses.html November 2, 2006 dead Finances Federal Election Commission reports show that in the first part of 2006, Miller raised more than twice as much money as Webb, who entered the race in February. (Miller contributed over $1 million to his own campaign, 60% of what he raised.http://opensecrets.org/politicians/alsorun.asp?CID=N00020751&cycle=2006 Harris N. Miller: 2006 Politician Profile September 15, 2006 OpenSecrets https://web.archive.org/web/20070930084910/http://opensecrets.org/politicians/alsorun.asp?CID=N00020751&cycle=2006 September 30, 2007 dead) Campaign The week before the primary, Miller said a Webb campaign flier characterized him in an anti-Semitic way; Webb denied this.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2058881&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 Flier Blasted on Drawing of Jewish Opponent Bob Lewis June 9, 2006 October 1, 2006 ABC News, the Associated Press September 2010 H3llBot Results Democratic primary resultshttp://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2006/JunePrimary/index.htm Primary Election- June 13, 2006 May 21, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110926230456/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2006/JunePrimary/index.htm September 26, 2011 Jim Webb Democratic Party (United States) 83,298 53.47 Harris Miller Democratic Party (United States) 72,486 46.53 155,784 100.00 General election Candidates George Allen (R), incumbent U.S. senator, former governor, and former U.S. representative from Virginia's 7th congressional district Gail Parker (G), Air Force veteran Jim Webb (D), former United States Secretary of the Navy Platform Webb focused on his early and outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq, which Allen supported. In a September 4, 2002 opinion piece in The Washington Post, Webb wrote: "A long-term occupation of Iraq would beyond doubt require an adjustment of force levels elsewhere, and could eventually diminish American influence in other parts of the world."https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A34847-2002Sep3 Webb James Heading for Trouble: Do we really want to occupy Iraq for the next 30 years? The Washington Post A21 September 4, 2002 October 28, 2006 Webb's son, a U.S. Marine, served in Iraq. Allen and Webb differed on other issues. Allen was opposed to abortion rights; Webb supported them. Allen supported George W. Bush's tax cuts while Webb said more of the benefits should have gone to middle-class Americans.http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/James_Webb.htm James Webb on the Issues OnTheIssues Both candidates supported the death penalty, right-to-work laws, and Second Amendment rights. Fundraising Allen retained a substantial lead in fundraising: $6.6 million on hand to Webb's $1.1 million through September 15, 2006.http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=VAS1&Cycle=2006 OpenSecrets Total Raised and Spent, 2006 RACE: VIRGINIA SENATE September 20, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060918211455/http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&ID=VAS1 September 18, 2006 dead Debates Meet the Press debateOn September 17, 2006, Allen and Webb appeared on NBC's Meet the Press for a debate. Part of the program's debate series on the midterm elections, the debate heavily discussed both the original Gulf War and the present war in Iraq. Host Tim Russert questioned Webb about his initial support for Allen's 2000 U.S. Senate run, as well as what led him to later oppose Allen. Russert also questioned Allen about a remark Webb made concerning his interactions with Allen at the start of the Iraq conflict. Webb asserted that he approached Allen regarding U.S. involvement in the region and cautioned against military action. Webb also claimed that Allen responded to this by saying "You're asking me to be disloyal to the president." After being questioned on this by Russert, Allen clarified by saying "No, it's loyalty to this country, and making sure that our country is unified in, in this, in this effort to disarm Saddam Hussein. That was the point." Allen also addressed what he saw as a weakness in Webb, claiming his opponent wanted to withdraw from Iraq. Webb clarified his belief that the U.S. has a commitment to ensure Iraq is stable before withdrawing, but also reasserted that a permanent U.S. presence in Iraq is not an option. The debate likewise covered an upcoming vote on the use of coercive interrogation methods on enemy combatants. Allen stated that he had not yet made a decision on how to vote, but stated "Now, the key in all of this is I don't want to stop these interrogations. I'm not for torture, I'm not for waterboarding, but some of these techniques have been very helpful to us, whether they are sleep deprivation, or whether there's loud music. And I need to be absolutely certain that what the interrogations—interrogators are doing now—which is completely fine as far as I'm concerned, protecting Americans—will not be harmed by the proposal." Webb expressed that this was an issue close to him as a former soldier, but also stated that he did not believe interrogations should be ended completely. Webb however reaffirmed his concerns that if the U.S. abandons the Geneva Convention its soldiers will suffer abroad. Russert questioned Webb on the recent allegations that his 1979 Washingtonian article fostered hostility towards female students at the Naval Academy. Webb responded as he had in prior press releases, expressing his regret for the repercussions of the article. Russert similarly asked Allen about a statement he made in 2000 in the pages of American Enterprise magazine: "If [Virginia Military Institute] admitted women, it wouldn't be the VMI that we've known for 154 years. You just don't treat women the way you treat fellow cadets. If you did, it would be ungentlemanly, it would be improper." Allen responded that VMI has made great progress in a co-ed curriculum, making women cadets more of a possibility than at the time he made the statement. Complete video of debate, September 17, 2006This Week debateOn September 18, 2006, George Stephanopoulos moderated a debate between Allen and Webb, as part of his program This Week on ABC. Topics included national security, Iraq, the economy, the conduct of the campaign, and other issues. Complete video of debate, September 18, 2006League of Women Voters debate''' On October 9, 2006, the League of Women Voters sponsored a debate between Allen and Webb. The format consisted of the candidates answering series of questions from the moderator, from the LWV panel, and finally from each other. Largely, the responses from the candidates did not expand on the body of knowledge already present in their television and radio commercials. The overall feel of the debate was somewhat combative, with Allen frequently going overtime on responses and a round of uncontrolled verbal jousting after Allen cited Webb's prior statements on raising taxes. Complete video of debate, October 9, 2006 Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2006 Senate Race Ratings for November 6, 2006 https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_sen_ratings_nov6.pdf The Cook Political Report https://web.archive.org/web/20080605093937/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_sen_ratings_nov6.pdf September 30, 2021 June 5, 2008 Tossup November 6, 2006 Sabato's Crystal BallElection Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2006110601/ Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2006 June 25, 2021 Tilt D Flip November 6, 2006 Rothenberg Political ReportNovember 6, 2006 Senate Ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2006-senate-ratings6 The Rothenberg Political Report June 25, 2021 Lean D Flip November 6, 2006 Real Clear PoliticsElection 2006 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/election_2006-21.html Real Clear Politics June 25, 2021 Tossup November 6, 2006 Endorsement Jim Webb (D) Individuals Wesley Clark, general, 2004 democratic presidential candidateJim Webb Polling Source Date JimWebb (D) GeorgeAllen (R) GailParker (IG)RasmussenRasmussen December 9, 2005 26% 57%RasmussenRasmussen February 14, 2006 37% 49%RasmussenRasmussen March 28, 2006 30% 54%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ March 31, 2006 42% 49%RasmussenRasmussen April 19, 2006 30% 50%RasmussenRasmussen June 20, 2006 41% 51%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ June 21, 2006 44% 49%Associated Press/IpsosAssociated Press/Ipsos June 27, 2006 39% 46%Survey USASurvey USA June 28, 2006 37% 56% 2%ZogbyZogby July 15, 2006 37% 47%Zogby/WSJ July 24, 2006 41% 52%RasmussenRasmussen July 27, 2006 39% 50%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon July 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes July 30, 2006 32% 48%RasmussenRasmussen August 17, 2006 42% 47%SurveyUSASurveyUSA August 21, 2006 45% 48% 2%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ August 27, 2006 48% 47%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon July 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes September 10, 2006 42% 46%Zogby/WSJ September 10, 2006 50% 43%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 13, 2006 45% 48% 3%RasmussenRasmussen September 15, 2006 43% 50%Mason-Dixon/MSNBCMason-Dixon/MSNBC September 23–27, 2006 43% 43% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 27, 2006 44% 49% 2%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ September 28, 2006 44% 49%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 29, 2006 44% 50% 2%RasmussenRasmussen October 2, 2006 43% 49%Reuters/ZogbyReuters/Zogby October 5, 2006 37% 48%USA Today/GallupUSA Today/Gallup October 6, 2006 45% 48%RasmussenRasmussen October 12, 2006 46% 49%The Washington PostWashington Post October 15, 2006 47% 49% 2%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ October 19, 2006 47% 50%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 23, 2006 43% 47% 2%Los Angeles Times/BloombergLos Angeles Times/Bloomberg October 24, 2006 47% 44%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 25, 2006 46% 49% 2%RasmussenRasmussen October 27, 2006 48% 49%GHY (D)GHY (D) October 26–29, 2006 47% 43%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ October 28, 2006 51% 47%RasmussenRasmussen October 29, 2006 51% 46%CNNCNN October 31, 2006 50% 46%RasmussenRasmussen November 2, 2006 49% 49%Reuters/ZogbyReuters/Zogby November 2, 2006 45% 44%GallupGallup November 1–3, 2006 46% 49%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon November 4, 2006 46% 45% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA November 6, 2006 52% 44% 2% Results United States Senate election in Virginia, 2006http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#46 2006 Election Statistics clerk.house.gov Democratic Party (United States) Jim Webb 1,175,606 49.59% +1.91% Republican Party (United States) George Allen (incumbent) 1,166,277 49.20% −3.05% Independent Greens of Virginia Gail Parker 26,102 1.10% +1.10% 2,460 0.10% +0.04% 2,370,445 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) Counties and independent cities that flipped from Democratic to Republican Prince Edward (largest municipality: Farmville) Southampton (largest municipality: Courtland) Counties and independent cities that flipped from Republican to Democratic Alleghany (largest borough: Clifton Forge) Russell (largest city: Lebanon) Loudoun (largest borough: Leesburg) Prince William (largest borough: Manassas) Nelson (largest municipality: Nellysford) Rappahannock (largest city: Washington) Montgomery (largest borough: Blacksburg) By congressional district Despite losing, Allen won seven of 11 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat. Webb won four, including two that elected Republicans.Official Results https://web.archive.org/web/20130813131958/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2006/Nov/htm/index.htm#141 August 13, 2013 District Allen* Webb RepresentativeVirginia 1 1st 54% 44%Jo Ann DavisVirginia 2 2nd 51% 48%Thelma DrakeVirginia 3 3rd 31% 68%Robert C. ScottVirginia 4 4th 54% 45%Randy ForbesVirginia 5 5th 54% 45%Virgil Goode Virginia 6 6th 58% 40%Bob GoodlatteVirginia 7 7th 57% 42%Eric CantorVirginia 8 8th 30% 69%Jim MoranVirginia 9 9th 55% 44%Rick BoucherVirginia 10 10th 49% 50%Frank WolfVirginia 11 11th 44% 55%Thomas M. Davis Controversies The controversies involved both Allen and Webb. However, a majority of these controversies negatively impacted Allen and are believed to have contributed to his defeat in the November election. Allen's Barr Labs investment On August 8, 2006, it was reported that Allen, who opposes abortion rights, owned stock in Barr Laboratories, maker of the Plan B "morning-after pill", an emergency contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of intercourse. The Webb campaign criticized Allen for holding stock in a company that makes a product that many of his supporters oppose. Allen responded that he held the stock because Barr Labs had created jobs in Virginia and pointed to his consistently anti-abortion voting record. He indicated that he had no plans to sell the stock.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/08/AR2006080801323.html Abortion Foe Allen Faulted for Stock in Morning-After Pill Maker The Washington Post August 9, 2006 Craig Tim B05 November 10, 2021 March 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210309164805/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/08/AR2006080801323.html live Allen's macaca controversy Macaca (term) On August 11, 2006, George Allen twice called S.R. Sidarth, a 20-year-old Webb campaign volunteer, macaca. Sidarth is of Indian ancestry, but was born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia. As a "tracker" for the opposing Webb campaign, Sidarth was filming an Allen campaign stop in Breaks, Virginia, near the Kentucky border. During a speech, Allen paused, then began referring to Sidarth: This fellow here over here with the yellow shirt, Macaca, or whatever his name is. He's with my opponent. He's following us around everywhere. And it's just great. We're going to places all over Virginia, and he's having it on film and it's great to have you here and you show it to your opponent because he's never been there and probably will never come. [...] Let's give a welcome to Macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081400589.html Allen Quip Provokes Outrage, Apology The Washington Post August 15, 2006 Tim Craig and Michael D. Shear October 30, 2006 A01 October 26, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061026224720/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081400589.html live According to Sidarth, he was the only non-white person present among the crowd of 100 or so Republican supporters, some of whom applauded Allen's remarks. The Webb campaign accused Allen of using a racial insult; macaca has been identified as a Francophone epithet for North African indigenes, and commentators have suggested that he may have heard the slur from his mother, Henrietta "Etty" Allen, who was of North African Jewish (in Allen's case, a Tunisian) French background.http://www.forward.com/articles/alleged-slur-casts-spotlight-on-senator%E2%80%99s-jewis/ Alleged Slur Casts Spotlight On Senator's (Jewish?) Roots E.J. Kessler August 25, 2006 The Jewish Daily Forward September 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090114071758/http://www.forward.com/articles/alleged-slur-casts-spotlight-on-senator%E2%80%99s-jewis/ January 14, 2009 dead During a televised debate on September 18, reporter Peggy Fox asked Allen if he had learned the slur from his mother; Etty Allen denied that she had ever used the word before.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001965_pf.html Allen's Mother Revealed Jewish Heritage to Him Last Month Shear Michael D The Washington Post September 21, 2006 A01 November 3, 2006 October 27, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061027024908/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001965_pf.html live According to The Washington Post, Allen's campaign manager initially dismissed the incident with an expletive. Allen later said that he had heard his staff use the term macaca in reference to Sidarth, that he did not know what the word meant, and that he did not intend to insult Sidarth's ethnicity when he singled him out to the crowd. "I do apologize if he's offended by that," Allen said, adding that "I would never want to demean him as an individual." Shortly after, Allen's campaign held that he used the word in reference to Sidarth's hairstyle. Although Sidarth was wearing a baseball cap on the day of the incident,http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2006/8/16/201332/564 Interview with Sidarth Summary of radio interview September 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20081201204328/http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2006/8/16/201332/564 December 1, 2008 dead he had been conversing casually with Allen's aides during campaign stops before the incident.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-yn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401639.html Fairfax Native Says Allen's Words Stung Fredrick Kunkle The Washington Post August 25, 2006 October 30, 2006 B01 October 27, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061027223419/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401639.html live Allen's campaign staff claim to have referred to him privately as "Mohawk". A now widely disseminated photo of Sidarth,http://images14.fotki.com/v21/photos/7/723557/2606350/ListeningTourDay3033-vi.jpg S.R. Sidarth at an Allen Campaign Event Virginia Conservative August 18, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060817172427/http://images14.fotki.com/v21/photos/7/723557/2606350/ListeningTourDay3033-vi.jpg August 17, 2006 hosted by the Webb campaign, shows Sidarth's hair to be longer in the middle and shaved on the sides, typical of a mohawk. On August 15, 2006, John Reid, Allen's communications director, told The New York Times that members of Allen's campaign had "good-naturedly" nicknamed Sidarth "Mohawk" when speaking among themselves, but could not explain how the word might have morphed into macaca.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/washington/15cnd-allen.html Verbal Gaffe From a Senator, Then an Apology The New York Times August 15, 2005 David Stout April 30, 2010 May 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120502232810/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/washington/15cnd-allen.html live Reid told the Times that Sidarth only received a nickname from Allen campaign staff because he would not give his real name. Interviewed that day on CNN, however, Sidarth recalled shaking Allen's hand earlier in the week and giving his name. "He's very good with names, legendarily. He tries very hard to remember people's names when meeting them," Sidarth said. As for the macaca remark, "I am disappointed that someone like a Senator of the United States could use something [so] completely offensive."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBuxjQAVEMY George Allen's 'Macaca' Remark CNN News August 15, 2006 November 10, 2021 February 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210202174208/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBuxjQAVEMY live On August 16, 2006, the National Journal reported that two Virginia Republicans who heard the word used by Allen's campaign staff said macaca was a neologism created from mohawk and caca, Spanish and French slang for excrement. The National Journal quoted a Republican close to the campaign saying, "In other words, [Sidarth] was a shit-head, an annoyance."http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/08/a_new_explanati.html A New Explanation For "Macaca?" National Journal (Hotline) August 16, 2006 November 3, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061114093321/http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/08/a_new_explanati.html November 14, 2006 dead By August 20, 2006, Allen began insisting that he had never before heard the word, and that he simply made it up, contrary to original explanations from Allen and his staff.Transcript for September 17 Meet the Press September 17, 2006 Meet the Press NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14815993 November 10, 2021 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923115836/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14815993 livehttp://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190075864 Allen can't get 'macaca' off his back Tyler Whitley and Peter Hardin August 20, 2006 Richmond Times-Dispatch February 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0906/361635.html Allen, Webb Spar on Iraq Policy in Televised Debate Lewis Bob Associated Press NewsChannel 8 September 18, 2006 November 5, 2006 July 28, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200728100821/https://wjla.com/watch live After several public apologies, Allen called Sidarth twelve days after the incident, on August 23, to apologize directly for his remarks. Allen's campaign manager Dick Wadhams continued to blame opponent Webb, the media, and Allen's "leftist" foes for a "feeding frenzy."Allen Calls Webb Aide, Apologizes For Remark https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/23/AR2006082301600.html The Washington Post Michael D. Shear and Tim Craig August 24, 2006 November 10, 2021 February 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210211003638/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/23/AR2006082301600.html live The incident reduced Allen's once-broad polling margin over Webb to single digits.http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a99a9b7d-89aa-4e5f-9a0e-35d657ae1db3 Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10072 SurveyUSA August 21, 2006 September 4, 2009 October 7, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081007094839/http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a99a9b7d-89aa-4e5f-9a0e-35d657ae1db3 live On September 19, John Podhoretz used the name "Felix Macacawitz" as a headline for a post in the National Review blog "The Corner".http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODBiODMwNzYyMjA2ZmU3YTVjNTdjYjhmMmZjMWQ2YWY Felix Macacawitz National Review The Corner September 19, 2006 October 30, 2006 Podhoretz John dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061130002051/http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODBiODMwNzYyMjA2ZmU3YTVjNTdjYjhmMmZjMWQ2YWY November 30, 2006 On October 4, field organizer Meryl Ibis resigned after she used the name in an email to supporters of Al Weed, the Democratic Party candidate for US representative in a Virginia district.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/04/AR2006100401762.html Democratic Organizer Quits After Calling Allen 'Macacawitz' October 5, 2006 Craig Tim October 30, 2006 B02 The Washington Post October 31, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061031061604/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/04/AR2006100401762.html live Some political observers believe the incident shows an early-21st-century shift in American politics. Salon.com named Sidarth its 2006 Person of the Year. Michael Scherer wrote, "Sidarth was the kid next door. He, not Allen, was the real Virginian. He was proof that every hour his native commonwealth drifts further from the orbit of the GOP's solid South and toward a day when Allen's act will be a tacky antique. Allen was the past, Sidarth is the wired, diverse future—of Virginia, the political process and the country."http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/12/16/sidarth/ Salon Person of the Year: S.R. Sidarth Salon December 16, 2006 September 4, 2009 August 17, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090817221303/http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/12/16/sidarth/ live Relating to the Allen controversy, "Macaca" was named the most politically incorrect word of 2006 on December 15 by Global Language Monitor, a non-profit group that studies word usage. November 2021 Sidarth later embraced the term in a The Washington Post opinion piece titled "I Am Macaca".S.R. Sidarth. "I Am Macaca". https://web.archive.org/web/20210314144617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001381.html March 14, 2021 The Washington Post. November 12, 2006. Weeks following Allen's comment, Sidarth wrote an entrance essay for a Larry Sabato-taught class at the University of Virginia of only three words: "I am macaca". Webb's Reagan ad On September 7, 2006, Webb released his first television advertisement.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/07/AR2006090701596.html Television Ad Shows Reagan Praising Webb In 1985 Speech The Washington Post September 8, 2006 Michael D. Shear April 30, 2010 April 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402105602/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/07/AR2006090701596.html live It featured footage of a 1985 speech by Ronald Reagan praising Webb at the secretary's alma mater, the United States Naval Academy in 1985. The next day, an official working for the Reagan Presidential Foundation faxed a letter to Webb's campaign on behalf of former first lady Nancy Reagan, urging them not to air the advertisement.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/14/AR2006091401583.html Let Reagan Be Reagan The Washington Post September 15, 2006 A18 October 30, 2006 November 7, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061107134813/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/14/AR2006091401583.html live In response, Webb told reporters that if Ronald Reagan had made any speeches about Allen his opponent's campaign would probably use them, too. "I would encourage them to try to go find some."http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/81976 Nancy Reagan says it's not OK for Webb to use President in ad Roanoke Times September 9, 2006 September 4, 2009 September 27, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024348/http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/81976 live The Webb advertisement also aired in Norfolk, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia. The Reagan Library has asked other political campaigns to pull advertising involving the former president's image. In 2004, it criticized the conservative Club for Growth for an advertisement comparing George W. Bush to Reagan.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090801720.html Nancy Reagan Asks Webb to Pull Ad With Her Husband The Washington Post September 9, 2006 October 30, 2006 Michael D. Shear and Tim Craig B01 October 7, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061007055848/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090801720.html live On September 15, 2006, a Washington Post editorial supported Webb's advertisement and chided the Allen campaign for crying foul, saying that neither protest by Allen's campaign or Reagan's Library (later corrected to the Reagan Presidential Foundation) has any merit: The president is a public official, paid by the taxpayers. His speeches are in the public domain; they belong to all Americans, and to history. His words may fairly be the subject of bitter debate and divergent interpretation for decades or centuries to come, but they should not be censored posthumously. In this instance, Mr. Webb has neither distorted Mr. Reagan's words nor taken them out of context; nor did Mr. Reagan ever repudiate them. Allen at Fairfax County Republican Committee's ethnic rally On September 9, 2006, Allen attended, along with other Republican elected officials and candidates for public office, an "ethnic community rally" at Thomas Edison High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Fairfax County Republican Committee, together with several ethnically based Republican groups, had sponsored this event for the past several years. Participating organizations included local Republican groups drawn from the Asian-American, Black, and Latino communities, among others. A small group of protesters demonstrated outside the high school, including one activist dressed in a gorilla costume as a reference to Allen's macaca remark. One protester said she was there "to let him [George Allen] know that racism is not acceptable", while another protester suggested that Allen was "holding a fake diversity rally".http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855935264&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190537881&path=!news!politics Allen holds 'ethnic rally' Carlos Santos September 22, 2005 Richmond Times-Dispatch September 10, 2006 July 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes Both Allen and Webb's supporters video-recorded the event. Webb supporters claim the videos show more white faces than non-white.September 25, 2006 Poor Turnout for George Allen's "Ethnic Community Rally" http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/9/18934/76052 January 29, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160129051309/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/9/18934/76052 live The Virginian-Pilot described the crowd as chiefly Asian-American. Webb, according to exit polls, went on to win all minority groups overwhelmingly, including Asian Americans.September 22, 2006 September 10, 2006 Dale Eisman Virginian-Pilot Allen tries to get past high-profile gaffe http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=110757&ran=232189 dead Candidates' stances on women in combat right|150px|thumb|Jim Webb at a rally, c. September 20, 2006 On September 13, 2006, five female graduates of the United States Naval Academy had a press conference promoted by the Allen campaign to assail a Washingtonian article Webb wrote in 1979. They accuse Webb of fostering an air of hostility and harassment towards females within the academy. In the article, entitled "Women Can't Fight", Webb described his personal experiences in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine infantry officer, and explained why he believed combat was an inappropriate environment for women. Webb also wrote that he had never met a woman "whom [he] would trust to provide those men with combat leadership". The article also characterized the Naval Academy dormitory situation as "a horny woman's dream", due to the ratio of men to women being 13 1 3 to 1 at the time. The five women, who attended the Naval Academy from the late 1970s to early 1980s, asserted that the article led to male midshipmen constantly harassing and humiliating them. Some even went so far as to wear "Jim Webb Fan Club" T-shirts. In response to the allegations, Webb's campaign released a statement that he wrote the article during a time of great emotional debate over a wide array of social issues in this country, and the tone of this article was no exception. He added that he is "completely comfortable" with the present roles of women within the Naval Academy and the modern military. Webb expressed that at the time he wrote the article he did not anticipate its effects, "and to the extent that my writing subjected women at the Academy or the active Armed Forces to undue hardship, I remain profoundly sorry."http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=110936&ran=145117 Female Naval Academy grads say Webb column caused harassment The Virginian-Pilot Bob Lewis September 13, 2006 September 4, 2009 dead Allen himself has come under fire for similar attitudes he supported regarding the Virginia Military Institute. Allen remarked in 2000 that women "should not be in foxholes", and that "[t]he purpose of the armed services is not to be a social experiment".http://mediamatters.org/items/200609150006 AP, Situation Room note Allen attacks on 1979 Webb article against women in combat, but not Allen's current position on the issue Media Matters for America September 15, 2006 Brian J. Levy September 4, 2009 July 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080724135139/http://mediamatters.org/items/200609150006 live A 2000 candidate-guide published by the Virginian-Pilot reiterated this stance of Allen's.http://home.hamptonroads.com/election/2000electomatic/guideDetail.cfm?candidateID=8 Candidates Guide, Election 2000 The Virginian-Pilot September 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927000124/http://home.hamptonroads.com/election/2000electomatic/guideDetail.cfm?candidateID=8 September 27, 2007 dead Allen's remarks about his partial Jewish heritage In the wake of the Macaca controversy, the Jewish periodical The Forward reported that in all likelihood, Allen's mother Etty Allen, née Henrietta Lumbroso, was Jewish "from the august Sephardic Jewish Lumbroso family",http://www.forward.com/articles/alleged-slur-casts-spotlight-on-senator%E2%80%99s-jewis/ Alleged Slur Casts Spotlight On Senator's (Jewish?) Roots The Forward August 25, 2006 E.J. Kessler September 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090114071758/http://www.forward.com/articles/alleged-slur-casts-spotlight-on-senator%E2%80%99s-jewis/ January 14, 2009 dead and that therefore by the Jewish legal rule of matrilineal descent, Allen himself would be considered Jewish. On September 18, 2006, Allen and Webb debated each other at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801240.html As Fall Approaches, Va. Race Gauges Influence of Bush, Iraq The Washington Post September 16, 2006 Robert Barnes April 30, 2010 November 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121108181231/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801240.html live One of the more interesting aspects of this debate came when Allen was questioned by WUSA-TV anchor Peggy Fox. Fox said: "It has been reported [that] your grandfather Felix, whom you were given your middle name for, was Jewish. Could you please tell us whether your forebears include Jews and, if so, at which point Jewish identity might have ended?" This led to a booing from the crowd and anger from Allen who admonished Fox for "making aspersions" and responded: "To be getting into what religion my mother is, I don't think is relevant...Why is that relevant -- my religion, Jim's religion or the religious beliefs of anyone out there?...My mother is French-Italian with a little Spanish blood in her."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGcE20oT7_E George Allen on Hardball MSNBC September 2006 YouTube November 20, 2012 November 9, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131109175943/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGcE20oT7_E live https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801014.html The Senator's Gentile Rebuke The Washington Post September 19, 2006 Milbank Dana November 30, 2006 November 10, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061110190434/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801014.html live The next day, Allen issued a statement both confirming and distancing himself from his mother's Jewish ancestry. The statement read: I was raised as a Christian and my mother was raised as a Christian. And I embrace and take great pride in every aspect of my diverse heritage, including my Lumbroso family line's Jewish heritage, which I learned about from a recent magazine article and my mother confirmed.http://www.forward.com/articles/allen-confirms-mothers-jewish-roots/ Senator Allen Confirms Mother's Jewish Roots The Forward September 16, 2006 September 4, 2009 September 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080918050735/http://www.forward.com/articles/allen-confirms-mothers-jewish-roots/ live Allen also told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, in a reference to kosher dieting, "I still had a ham sandwich for lunch. And my mother made great pork chops."http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190712778 Allen tells of his Jewish heritage Richmond Times-Dispatch September 20, 2006 Peter Hardin Jeff Schapiro November 10, 2021 November 12, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061112042504/http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190712778 live The Washington Post reported that Allen's mother feared retribution against her family if her religious and ethnic background became public, and had originally asked Allen to keep that information private.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001965.html Allen's Mother Revealed Jewish Heritage to Him Last Month The Washington Post September 21, 2006 November 9, 2006 Shear Michael D A01 April 29, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190429235009/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001965.html live Although no mention is made of her mother's religion in Allen's sister's book, she does mention that the Catholic Church, before marrying the couple, required Allen's parents to agree that any children would be raised Catholic, and as a result they decided to be married by a justice of the peace in the home of a Jewish friend. PAC ad on Allen's body armor vote In mid-September, VoteVets.org, a political action committee formed in 2006 that is primarily composed of former Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and headed by Jon Soltz, released a television advertisement criticizing Allen for voting against body armor for US troops in 2003.YouTube https://web.archive.org/web/20210319064719/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zQA1gYwpk March 19, 2021 Vote Vets PAC television advertisement The claim was based on Allen's vote against a Democratic amendment that would have increased National Guard funding for body armor. Various organizations subsequently attempted to assess the validity of the claim. The Arizona Republic ran a piece headlined "VoteVets ad is pure deceit."http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/print.php?referer=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0919tue2-19.html VoteVets ad is pure deceit Arizona Republic September 19, 2006 FactCheck.org said the ad contained "false claims."http://www.factcheck.org/article438.html False Claims About Body Armor FactCheck.org September 20, 2006 September 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090912234650/http://www.factcheck.org/article438.html September 12, 2009 dead But Media Matters for America said Allen voted against troop body armor not once, but twice.http://mediamatters.org/items/200609220002 AZ Republic, FactCheck.org lobbed misleading claims in attempt to debunk Vote Vets ad criticizing Allen Media Matters for America September 21, 2006 September 4, 2009 April 30, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430095410/http://mediamatters.org/items/200609220002 live In March 2003, Allen voted against a bill that "targets shortfalls identified by the National Guard and Reserve in their Unfunded Requirement lists," including the shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, and tactical vests. On October 2, 2003, Allen voted against a Democratic amendment by Senator Christopher Dodd to add $322 million to the $300 million (for body armor and battlefield cleanup) that the Senate Appropriations Committee had already attached to an $87 billion emergency supplemental bill. Allen's use of racial epithets Salon published a story in late September reporting that three of Allen's former college football teammates said that during the 1970s, Allen repeatedly used the word "nigger" and demonstrated racist attitudes toward blacks.http://salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/24/allen_football/ Teammates: Allen used "N-word" in college Salon.com September 24, 2006 Michael Scherer September 4, 2009 August 27, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090827013413/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/24/allen_football/ live On September 29, Edward Sabornie, a professor at North Carolina State University who had been in Allen's class and played football with him, decided to go on record with his allegations. Sabornie had commented under condition of anonymity in Salon's previous article about Allen's use of the slur. In that article, he was described as a "white teammate" and commented that using racial epithets "was so common with George when he was among his white friends. [It was] the terminology he used." Sabornie also recalled Allen as having referred to blacks as "roaches" and Latinos as "wetbacks".http://salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/29/allen_sabornie/index.html https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080306233330/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/29/allen_sabornie/index_np.html dead March 6, 2008 Another teammate confirms Allen used "N-word" Michael Scherer Salon.com September 29, 2006 Following the first Salon article, pundit Larry Sabato, who attended the University of Virginia at the same time as Allen, stated on a televised interview that he knew for a fact that Allen used the epithet. Sabato later recanted saying that he had only heard that rumor from someone else.Professor Says Senator Used Racial Slur Bob Lewis Associated Press September 26, 2006 Allen called the claims "ludicrously false", explaining, "[t]he story and [Shelton's] comments and assertions in [the claim] are completely false. I don't remember ever using that word and it is absolutely false that that was ever part of my vocabulary."Sen. Allen Denies Using Racial Slur Bob Lewis Associated Press September 25, 2006 Sons of Confederate Veterans On September 28, 2006, the Sons of Confederate Veterans criticized Allen when the group claimed Allen criticized Southern heritage by stating that he had come to recognize that the Confederate Battle flag had negative racial overtones.https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060928/ap_on_el_se/virginia_senate Group accuses Allen of spurning heritage Associated Press September 28, 2006 Joe Nickell Webb's use of racial epithets In late September, Webb was asked if he had ever used the word "nigger". Webb replied that "I don't think that there's anyone who grew up around the South that hasn't had the word pass through their lips at one time in their life." Webb noted that that word and a lot of other epithets were in Fields of Fire, a novel Webb wrote about the Vietnam War.http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190839884 Webb 'never directed slur at anyone' Richmond Times-Dispatch September 27, 2006 November 5, 2006 Krishnamurthy Kiran July 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes Allen campaign officials referred reporters to Dan Cragg, a former acquaintance of Webb's. Cragg said that Webb told him in 1963 that Webb and members of his ROTC unit at the University of Southern California would "hop into their cars, and would go down to Watts", taking fake rifles, and yell out epithets, "point the rifles at them [black people], pull the triggers and then drive off laughing." Cragg had recorded the interview in which he claimed the anecdote was related, but it is absent from the tape. Spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd quoted Webb as saying: "In 1963, you couldn't go to Watts and do that kind of thing. You'd get killed. So of course I didn't do it. I would never do that. I would never want to do that." Webb also produced a friend from the time who claimed that the two had never driven to Watts as claimed.Michael D Shear https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092702062.html Webb Denies Ever Using Word as Epithet: Racial Slur Overshadowing All Else in Contest The Washington Post September 28, 2006 November 5, 2006 B01 November 2, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061102033900/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092702062.html live An October 18, 2006, article in The Washington Post quotes a recent interview with Webb concerning the portrayal of ethnic stereotypes in Hollywood. Webb said, "Towel-heads and rednecks -- of which I am one. If you write that word, please say that. I mean, I don't use that pejoratively, I use it defensively. Towel-heads and rednecks became the easy villains in so many movies out there".https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701585_3.html Don't Call Him Redneck The Washington Post October 18, 2006 Libby Copeland November 10, 2021 December 11, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201211055833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701585_3.html live Allen's undisclosed business interests On October 8, 2006, the Associated Press, reviewing five years of Allen's financial records, reported that Allen did not properly report income and stock options from companies which have federal contracts, and contacted the Army to help a company in which he has an interest.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=2542244 AP: Sen. Allen failed to disclose stock options Theimer Sharon Associated Press ABC News October 9, 2006 November 6, 2006 Allen's staff said Allen believed in "good faith" that he did not need to report the stock options because their purchase price was higher than the current market value. Following the AP report, Allen asked the Senate ethics committee for an opinion on whether he should have disclosed his options. The ethics committee ruled than Allen was not required to disclose his stock options, and did not err in not doing so.http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6122824&nav=S6aK WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Our Apologies Wdbj7.com November 10, 2021 July 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes Webb's name truncated on ballots On October 24, 2006, The Washington Post reported that Webb's last name would be truncated on electronic ballots used in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville. Webb's name should have appeared as James H. 'Jim' Webb but only James H. 'Jim showed on a summary page due to the font size used on the InterCivic voting machines. Allen's name George F. Allen was not affected by this glitch. The Virginia State Board of Elections pledged to have it fixed by the 2007 statewide elections and to post signs warning voters of this error.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102301178.html Some Voting Machines Chop Off Candidates' Names The Washington Post Smith Leef October 24, 2006 October 29, 2006 B04 May 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080516063553/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102301178.html live Sexually explicit passages from Webb novels On October 26, 2006, the Drudge Report posted a press release reprinting and commenting on sexually explicit passages from Webb's novels. One excerpt involved a man placing his son's penis in his mouth; others involved allegedly sexist portrayals of women. The press release, which the Drudge Report attributed to the Allen campaign, said the passages fit "a continued pattern of demeaning women" in which Webb "refuse[s] to portray women in a respectful, positive light".http://www.drudgereport.com/flashaw.htm Allen's Revenge: Exposes Underage Sex Scenes in Opponent's Novels Drudge Report October 26, 2006 October 27, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061031204746/http://www.drudgereport.com/flashaw.htm October 31, 2006 dead Allen's campaign refused to tell a local radio news station, WTOP-FM, whether it in fact had issued a news release on the matter.http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=213&sid=956260 Jim Webb Defends Content of His Novels WTOP October 27, 2006 October 27, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212041/http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=213&sid=956260 September 26, 2007 dead In a radio interview on October 27, 2006, Webb described the Allen campaign's tactics as "smear after smear", and called the attack on his fiction baseless "character assassination". Webb defended his fiction work, saying that "the duty of a writer is to illuminate [his] surroundings". He said that the scene involving the man and his son was based upon an incident in a Bangkok slum that he witnessed as a journalisthttp://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/27/webb.allen/ Webb on sex passage recital: 'It's smear after smear' October 27, 2006 October 27, 2006 CNN Levs Joshua November 7, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061107100533/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/27/webb.allen/ live and that it was "not a sexual act".http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/27/acd.01.html Virginia Senate Race Heats Up; Does Negative Campaign Advertising Work?; Authorities Investigate Suspected Arson in California CNN.com, Transcript of Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees October 27, 2006 December 10, 2006 June 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604131733/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/27/acd.01.html live Responding to the controversy, Allen stated: "My record as a United States senator is an open book. My opponent has a record as well. He, in his advertisements, points out that he's an author, that he's a writer of books. That's part of his record. These passages in his books are part of his open record. I'll let the people of Virginia be the judge as to whose record they are more comfortable with."https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800911_pf.html Webb Defends Novels Against Attacks: Allen Has Crossed a 'Line That Should Never Be Crossed,' Candidate Says December 10, 2006 October 29, 2006 The Washington Post Craig Tim December 5, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061205152551/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800911_pf.html live At a campaign rally in Annandale on October 28, 2006, Webb noted that his novel Fields of Fire has been on the Commandant of the Marine Corps reading list for twenty years and claimed that it is the "most-taught piece of literature regarding the Vietnam War" on college campuses. Webb further listed the various accolades his books have received.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdEtGaY831w&mode=related&search= Jim Webb Responds Vigorously to False Personal Attacks (video. Webb defense begins at 0:58) December 10, 2006 October 29, 2006 Moving Virginia Forward September 18, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070918155840/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdEtGaY831w&mode=related&search= live Allen's arrest warrant records The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has criticized Allen for his refusal to release documents that would potentially shed light on the multiple warrants that were issued for his arrest in 1974.http://www.dscc.org/news/roundup/20061028_allen/ Allen Arrest Records Controversy: Allen Refuses To Release Documents Detailing His Arrest Record DSCC website October 28, 2006 October 30, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061104110516/http://www.dscc.org/news/roundup/20061028_allen/ November 4, 2006 dead Allen supporters attack blogger On October 31, footage of multiple Allen supporters attacking a constituent, Mike Stark, during a campaign stop in Charlottesville, Virginia began to circulate among various news organizations and online sources.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btMbyDmzs_Q&mode=related&search= YouTube - Allen Staffer Attacks Man YouTube October 31, 2006 November 10, 2021 March 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160313225600/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btMbyDmzs_Q&mode=related&search= live Stark, a liberal blogger, Marine veteran and law student, attempted to ask Allen about his missing arrest records and the reasons for the sealing of his divorce papers. After yelling out a question about rumors of Allen having assaulted his first wife, Stark was "briefly placed in a headlock, restrained, slung to the ground, and forcibly escorted from the hotel by three Allen supporters".Law Student Protester Sparks Political Controversy Snyder Drew http://www.lawweekly.org/?module=displaystory&story_id=1363&edition_id=46&format=html November 2, 2006 November 16, 2006 September 28, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070928053540/http://www.lawweekly.org/?module=displaystory&story_id=1363&edition_id=46&format=html live Stark was detained several days later at another rally after an Allen supporter claimed Stark pushed him to the ground.Barakat Matthew AP Liberal Blogger Taken Into Custody November 4, 2006 Telephone intimidation The FBI launched an investigation into alleged attempts to intimidate potential Democratic voters in eight counties before the poll, by use of telephone calls to suggest that persons with outstanding warrants would be arrested as they voted, a classic example of voter suppression.CNN FBI launches probe of Virginia pre-election calls November 7, 2006 http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/07/deceptivecalls.va/ September 4, 2009 June 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090610112408/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/07/deceptivecalls.va/ live Analysis Virginia had historically been one of the more Republican Southern states. For instance, it was the only Southern state not to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1976. Prior to the 2006 election, its congressional delegation was mostly conservative, with eight of eleven Representatives and both Senators belonging to the Republican Party, making its Congressional delegation the most Republican of any Southern state. Despite this, Democrats had won the gubernatorial races in 2001 and 2005. The state's political majority has been changing from conservative white to a mixture of races, especially Hispanic. The state is increasingly diverse; it has the highest percentage of Asians (4.7%, according to the 2005 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census) of any Southern state. 9.9% of Virginians are foreign-born.http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US51&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Virginia - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder United States Census Bureau August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Webb, like Governor Tim Kaine in 2005, won the four major fast-growing counties in Northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C.; Fairfax County, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington. In 2008, President Barack Obama carried Virginia by a 6.3% margin over Republican Senator John McCain, while the Democratic nominee for Senate, Mark Warner, won the open seat, defeating Republican candidate Jim Gilmore by over 30 points. When results began coming in, Allen quickly built a sizeable lead, which began to narrow as the night went on. With 90% of precincts reporting, Allen held a lead of about 30,000 votes,JIM WEBB WINS - chaos of the moment Webb overtook Allen November 8, 2006 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EEuPyCDoQE en 2023-02-17 or about 1.5%. However, as votes began to come in from population-heavy Richmond, Webb narrowed the gap, and pulled ahead within the last 1 or 2% of precincts to report. Preliminary results showed Webb holding a lead of 8,942 votes,https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900775_2.html The Washington Post Democrats Take Control of Senate As Allen Concedes to Webb in Va Michael D. Shear Alec MacGillis November 10, 2006 May 27, 2010 and many news organizations hesitated to call the election for either candidate until the next day. At 8:41 PM EST on November 8, AP declared Webb the winner.Sidoti Liz Lewis Bob https://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&u=/ap/20061109/ap_on_el_se/democrats_senate_6 Democrats Take Control of the Senate Associated Press Yahoo! News November 8, 2006 November 9, 2006 Webb was the sixth Democrat to defeat an incumbent Republican Senator in 2006, and his victory gave Democrats control of the Senate. In all Virginia elections, if the margin of defeat is less than half of a percentage point, the Commonwealth of Virginia allows the apparent losing candidate to request a recount, paid for by the local jurisdictions. If the margin of defeat is between one and one-half of a percentage point, the losing candidate is still entitled to request a recount, but must cover its expense.Joan Lowy https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_el_se/senate_recount Recount likely in Virginia Senate race Associated Press Yahoo! News November 8, 2006 November 9, 2006 September 2010 H3llBotNovember 2006 http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/Virginia_Recounts_-_The_Basics.doc Virginia Recounts -- The Basics DOC Election Laws Virginia State Board of Elections November 8, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061108225952/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/Virginia_Recounts_-_The_Basics.doc November 8, 2006 dead Because the difference was less than 0.5%, George Allen could have requested a recount paid for by the government, but declined to make such a request. That was likely because: Even in large jurisdictions, recounts—such as those in Florida in 2000 and Washington's 2004 gubernatorial election—rarely result in a swing of more than 1,000 votes, and Allen was trailing by almost 10,000 in the initial count. In particular, almost all votes in this Virginia election were cast using electronic voting machines, whose results are unlikely to change in a recount. There was wide speculation that calling for a recount (and still losing) would give Allen a "sore loser" label, which would hurt his future election campaigns, including what some speculated might still involve a 2008 presidential run. However, after losing the senatorial election, on December 10, 2006, Allen announced that he would not be running for president in 2008. See also 2006 United States Senate elections References External links Meet the Press'' with Allen and Webb: debate video excerpts, and debate transcript 2006 Voter's Guide by the League of Women Voters of Virginia http://sbe.vipnet.org/ "Commonwealth of Virginia: November 7, 2006 General Election: Unofficial Results" State Board of Elections website Virginia Interactive (Commonwealth of Virginia) November 8, 2006 dead http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020905172652/http://www.sbe.vipnet.org/ September 5, 2002 Updated every 2 minutes. Maps & graphic displays of the 2006 Virginia election results @ www.VaElection.org George Allen Jim Webb Gail Parker 2006 Virginia United States Senate