I
posted a diary yesterday morning discussing the SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterens) announced press conference to denounce George Felix for denouncing the confederate flag. Felix looks to be turning his attention away from Red Virginia and toward blue Virginia to pick up votes - a battleground where Jim Webb has the higher footing. This was not the gameplan, but at this point Allen is compelled to do this.
Groups like the SCV, CCC, Daughters of the Confederacy, League of the South etc... are very socially and politically active groups in Virginia. Its not the 4,000 members of the SCV in Virginia, or the 1,500 confederate daughters, or the headcount of any group - its the folks they interact with on a daily basis. Think of it as the ratio between posters and lurkers on a blog or messageboard.
Even Democrats in Virginia, while for the most part keeping their distance from the confederate flag, do throw these groups a bone every once in a while to keep the venom level steady. Governor Tim Kaine was the only candidate who's position was that he would
not make a confederate heritage month proclamation. Kilgore (R) made a half-ass overture which may have cost him support which went to Potts (who endorsed the idea).
Senator George Felix Allen and son Forrest in confederate garb on the set of "Gods and Generals".
Felix has pandered to them for years not only in adopting the dress and decor, but in action by proclamations of confederate heritage month as governor, voting against a MLK holiday as a delegate, and refusing to attend the raising of the Arthur Ashe statue in Richmond as governor.
So, democrats do not have to pander to these groups to win state-wide office, but Republicans must. These people will probably not vote D this election, but they will stay home, or simply not register a vote in the Senate race:
"We feel he's using our flag to wipe the muck from his shoes that he's now stepped in," said Frank Earnest of Virginia Beach, state division commander of the group.
Asked if Allen should apologize, Earnest replied, "Oh, absolutely so. He's apologizing to others for his misstatements. Certainly he should apologize to us as well."
Past state commander Brag Bowling said Allen appeared to be positioning himself for a 2008 presidential bid with the comments.
"He seems to have forgotten that he is also in a tight senatorial race here in Virginia," Bowling said.
...
Earnest said he was not necessarily endorsing Allen's opponent, Democrat James Webb, and the group does not make formal endorsements or advise members how to vote.
However, he added: "I can't feel that they would want to vote for someone who's insulted us the way Senator Allen has in these recent months."
Other members of the SCV are not mincing their words:
It is long past time for the people of this land to send a stern message that the placing of expediency above principle as a political tactic will no longer be tolerated, and that poor character in our elected officials is no longer acceptable. This message might best be sent to the offending candidates by "firing" them on election day, even if that results in some near-term discomfort for us; in the long run, our body politic will be the better for it.
and:
We all, have used the 'N', negro, black, darkey and now African American...Or whichever they are using at the time. This is not the issue, my peeve is race being used to better his standing with "those people", this makes him a bigot not only to blacks, but the Southern people and liar. As always, JMHO
There was no way George Felix was going to be able to reconcile his "adopted" personna and personal bigotry with the kind of Senator the rest of the state is looking for in the year 2006. Its a lose-lose situation for him and he's chosen now to pander to progressives with the upcoming "Webb wants to put women in their place" campaign. The problem with this campaign is that those who might have actually give a second thought to the message will not trust the messanger. He really is done.
I'll repost the poll to see if the results change after the latest.