Allen, Kaine go on the attack in Senate debate

[alp227]

Source: Washington Post

Republican George Allen and Democrat Timothy M. Kaine went on the attack in Saturday’s lively U.S. Senate debate, signaling a change in the race as each tried to appeal to the crucial independent voters who will decide Virginia’s marquee contest.

The candidates accused each other of name-calling and ideological squabbling even as they attempted to show that they had worked with members of the opposite party — and could do so again in an increasingly partisan Washington.

Kaine blamed Allen for engaging in “smash-mouth politics,’’ such as when Allen said Republicans should knock Democrats’ “soft teeth down their whiny throats.” He then pointed to a half-dozen Republicans he had worked with, including former president George W. Bush and Gov. Robert F. McDonnell.

“I don’t think Republicans are my opponents,’’ Kaine said. “We have to compete against China and India, not against each other. That’s yesterday’s politics.’’

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/allen-kaine-go-on-the-attack-in-senate-debate/2012/07/21/gJQAdGYv0W_singlePage.html

[elleng]

1. Didn't realize there was a debate Saturday.

LOTS of anti-Kaine ads on tv around here.

[Seedersandleechers]

2. Would that be the same "macca"

George Allen? I thought he would have gone away.

[elleng]

4. Yes, that's the same one.

Fortunately I'm in Maryland, not Virginia, but it is awfully close.

He and his family have a long public history around here. His father: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Allen_(American_football_coach)

[lonestarnot]

11. Same with Pearce over here. And I doubt R Piehole will ever shut the fuck up, even if he's voted

the fuck out.

[LibDemAlways]

3. I hope there are enough decent Virginians with long

memories to send Allen back into obscurity. He's a vile racist and has been for over 40 years. "Macaca" was just the tip of the iceberg.

[virgdem]

5. I'm hoping the same thing...

but it's very difficult to live in a very red area of Virginia (Hampton Roads), where hostility runs high against Obama. I don't even bother to talk politics to some friends and acquaintances any more due to their closed minds polluted by Faux News.

[LibDemAlways]

6. If your neighbors heard more about the real Allen, they'd

probably be even more eager to vote for him. He was in my Southern Calif. high school graduating class. Best remembered for spray painting racist graffiti on the school walls (caught and suspended) and proudly showing off his baseball bat inscribed with the words "n____r knocker." Real piece of work - even then.

[southernyankeebelle]

7. What are Kaine's chances of winning? and how are chances for Obama? Any in VA know yet.

[demwing]

8. According to RCP Averages of Polls

Virginia is a toss up in both races

Obama is up 1.2%
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/va/virginia_romney_vs_obama-1774.html

And Kaine is down 0.4%
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/va/virginia_senate_allen_vs_kaine-1833.html

Kaine has been up for a while, but a "We Ask America" poll in late June showed Allen up by 9 points, and that poll is still in the averages. Looking at just the polls from July, Kaine is slightly ahead. The mosts recent poll by Rasmussen shows Kaine leading by a full point.

[southernyankeebelle]

9. I sure hope the women get the vote out for the dems.

[demwing]

10. I think Mitt will chose a female VP

in an attempt to sway the female vote.

I also think it will fail radically.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. No I don't think so. It's going to be pretty boy Pawltey or shy boy Portman. But he still will

lose.

[demwing]

13. I posted as such

when the short list appeared last week. My thought was that if the list was real, Pawlenty was the pick. If it were a distraction, look for a female senator (Kay Bailey Hutchison?) instead of a male governor.

I also think Romney's going hard center after Tampa, he'll try to cut into Obama's vote. Hutchison would help him there...

[southernyankeebelle]

14. Do you really? No I think he'll go far right. Republicans think he is a liberal in hiding.

They don't trust him. You know I was wondering what do you think of Santorum? That will get the crazy religious right and the teabuggers.