June 14, 2007
'Macaca Moment' Immortalized in GOP Strategy Paper
Former Virginia Senator George Allen has apparently completed his rapid descent from Presidential hopeful to also-ran to punchline to historical footnote. Today, The Politico reports on an official GOP Internet guide, which, along with providing some material that undercuts the popular idea that the Republican establishment is a clearinghouse of outright media geniuses (such as the note that "Most newspapers are now online and have an archive section." Woo! You think?), holds out George Allen's now-famous use of the racial slur "macaca" as an example of bad blog strategy.
If candidates are more or less continually monitored via blog search engines, via the use of websites such as Technorati.com, blogs can often be used as an "early warning system" to help discern if opponent's attacks are gaining traction. Rapid response and explanation of a position or vote to friendly blogs can ensure center-right solidarity behind your defense. The paradigmatic example of failure to do so is the "macaca" moment. Conservative blogs, who had long been lauding Senator George Allen, were annoyed by shifting justifications and turned on Allen with a vengeance. Senator Allen was never able to fully regain his status with bloggers, many of whom, at the time, were still touting Allen for President.
Of course, there are numerous problems with that recollection of events. The "macaca" moment was not an example of a formal "position" or "vote," Allen's "welcome to the real Virginia" was the truly unsettling moment of that exchange, and it hardly mattered that it lost him the support of bloggers--by the time any blog got a hold of the news, Allen's remarks were well on their way to alienating actual voters.
But the real problem is that the "macaca" moment is hardly a "paradigmatic example" of the need for an "early warning system." The "macaca" moment is a paradigmatic example of the need to not run candidates whose disturbing racial worldviews lead them to say crazy-ass things that make ordinary voters feel all sick to their soul. To say nothing of not running candidates who think their magic football will distract people from finding out that they are cornpone douchebags.
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Allen said "Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia" Not "Welcome to the real Virginia'
Use of the term "paradigmatic" and laughable faith in Technorati; do you need more proof that these dorks should be extracted from their cubicles and put on the sidewalk?
Attention Candidates: you are never backstage, just talking to your own people. The whole world is watching 24/7. Think Dean Scream as well as Macaca and be neat when you pee or that will be on youtube next.
To say nothing of not running candidates who think their magic football will distract people from finding out that they are cornpone douchebags.
Brutal!!!
It's a step in the right direction for political-types. You'd be surprised how woefully behind the technological curve most Press Secretary and Hill PR types are on this kind off thing.
The last paragraph of this post is absolutely classic. Bravo!
Yep - for Republicans AND Democrats.
I thought what Allen said was "Welcome to the VA, bitch!" and then he punched Ryan in the face. Oh wait, I might be thinking of something else.
I've wondered a few times if Allen might make a comeback. I mean, he's certainly not a presidential contender anymore, but--macaca or no--he still lost by a pretty slim margin. In most circumstances, that candidate would be a contender for future elections (Warner's seat, if he chose not to run, or the governor's race).
But I guess his inclusion here puts the nail in the coffin of that theory.
I agree with DCist Sriram - that last paragraph is great.
"The "macaca" moment is a paradigmatic example of the need to not run candidates whose disturbing racial worldviews lead them to say crazy-ass things that make ordinary voters feel all sick to their soul."
The sentence implies that parties often choose candidates. Sometimes that is true, but anyone can decide to run under whatever party label he or she chooses. Political parties cannot limit the number of people who run in a primary.
Are there candidates who are preferred to a particular party? Yes. But, until the person makes a racist statement it is hard to know if the guy is a racist. Unless he lead the KKK and then all we need is for him to say sorry about a thousand times and we'll elect him to the Senate for a record number of terms.