Virginia state Delegate Donald McEachin "live blogged" on
Raising Kaine today. For those of you who don't know him, Del. McEachin is a Democrat and leading African American who represents the area around Richmond, Virginia. McEachin is known as a close ally of Richmond Mayor and former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. In 2001, McEachin ran unsuccessfully against Republican Jerry W. Kilgore for Attorney General of Virginia. Anyway, here are Del. McEachin's thoughts on Jim Webb and "Macaca George" Allen (bolding added for emphasis).
I am really looking forward to the opportunity to talk about my friend Jim Webb with all of you tomorrow at Noon. I have had the opportunity to sit down with Jim on more than one occasion and I can tell you, he is going to be a great Senator and we are going to be so proud that he represents our Commonwealth.
I first met Jim several months ago when he came to my office to talk. I was impressed with his knowledge of the issues, his integrity and his sincerity.
Everyday in towns and villages in Iraq that have become battlefields, young Americans are maimed or wounded or die because of the policies of this administration and its ardent supporters like George Allen. Jim Webb spoke out courageously before this war even began, explaining why it was a strategic mistake and why it would result in the death of so many young Americans. He understands that we must extricate ourselves from this spreading and worsening civil war and bring our young people home safely.
Jim has spoken out repeatedly on the importance of equal opportunity and social and economic fairness. In the Senate, I am confident he will ensure that all Americans have access to a level playing field because he understands the real meaning and importance of justice for all.
This week George Allen showed us yet another graphic reason why he is unacceptable as our United States Senator. Imagine singling out a young man of color and not only addressing him with a racial slur, but also suggesting he is somehow not an American. "Welcome to America," George Allen says to a young man who was born in this country, lives in Fairfax county, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and is a rising Fourth-year at the University of Virginia! I can't help but remember that Allen is the same man who flew the Confederate flag and had a noose hanging in his law office. We can and must do better. And this fall we have the opportunity to make sure that happens.
But for Jim Webb to succeed, we are all going to have to pull together and work hard. We need to keep our eyes on the goal - defeating George Allen and putting in someone who will make the best decisions for Virginians and Americans, not just vote blindly with George Bush 97% of the time. We need to make sure that we are all doing everything we can - volunteering, contributing, talking to our friends and family - to get Jim elected in November.
P.S. On a related note, the African American group
"Color of Change" has called on George Allen to "step down," and for the Republican Party to "withdraw all support for Senator Allen's candidacy" in light of his recent, racist, "macaca" comments.
By the way, if you've had it with George Allen and want to help elect Jim Webb, please click on the following ad. Thanks.
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.