Pandering

Sen. George Allen seems to have decided that kowtowing to the extreme elements of his party are much more valuable than principle and honor. There was a time when he opposed the Taliban in his party and stood with his co-senator from VA, John Warner in voting to support making hate crimes against gays a federal offense.

Now, not willing to jeopardize his support from the Republican religio-nut base that he needs in his re-election effort in 2006 and also in his planned for 2008 presidential bid, he has turned away from millions of Americans looking for recognition that vile prejudice and brutality impacts them. His spokesman states that “When it comes before the Senate again, he will vote against adding sexual orientation to federal hate-crimes statutes,” also adding “I wouldn't define it as a flip-flop.”

As we all know, in politics, the need to deny being a flip-flopper assuredly means you are. Sadly, Allen realizes that he must pander to maintain support from the wingnuts in Virginia and the fact that they are that important to his Republican re-election effort is a sad commentary on the GOP.
Posted on The Human Stain