George Allen and Macaca-gate

Come on in, George, good of you to stop by.

We here at Reality Check Inc. are glad you have sought out our services to help you try to better yourself and just maybe save your political career.

Let's see, let me go over your files here ... hmmm ... where do we begin? How about we start out with a little geography?

This S.R. Sidarth whose reputation you besmirched over the weekend, you DO know he is an American citizen, right? OK, well, here's a little something you might not know: he's got a leg up on you in the Virginia Gentleman category. Seems that not only is he a citizen, but he is a native and lifelong resident of Virginia.

That's right, he sure is. And you were born where? California? Well, well, aren't we feeling a little like we're tracking manure through the house with our big cowboy boots? Really now, George, you've been a senator and governor and in the public light for a long time now, so why would you stoop to this level after all this time?

You have nurtured this "aw shucks, I'm just one of the fellas" act for long enough to know when to back off. This was a case where you missed the sign. That's why you're here with us today; we're going to help you out of this hole you've dug yourself.

So, let's see. there you were, about as far into the Virginia hills as you could get. Pretty friendly territory, huh? You were preaching to the chior, man. But that's how the game is played, isn't it? You go out and make the obligatory speeches even if there are no hearts to be turned in the crowd. The love you out there, man.

So why? Why did you have to single this kid out?

Sure, he works for your opponent and was taping you. You are a pro, George, you are supposed to be smarter than the rest. You're supposed to know every step you are going to take, every word you are going to say and how every conversation and question will go. What happened here?

Did you want to take a jab at your opponent via the campaign intern? Well, how brave of you! Pick on the young and inexperienced college student, senator! That'll show 'em!

So you took a shot and pointed Mr. Sidarth out because he was different from everyone else there and -- gasp! -- he was working for the enemy! Yikes! Was the crowd supposed to turn on him and run him out of town while chanting your name aloud?

No, you quite ungraciously "welcomed" this fellow to America and Virginia as if he were from another planet, not just, as you so wrongly supposed, another country. I don't think your insincerity was lost on anyone.

You know, George, our country is strong because we are so different. It takes much more unity to keep this disparate population together than it does if we all looked the same, worshiped the same and believed in the same things as all our neighbors.

It is the shame of our political parties today that they spend far, far too much time pointing out the faults and foibles of their opponents and blowing their own horns. What we need are more partiots in the service of our country. Now, George, don't get your shorts in a wad; I'm not questioning your loyalty. I'm only questioning your motivation.

You took a swipe at your opponent and this kid in a friendly arena when you didn't need to. A more confident candidate would have spent the day puffing out his chest and reciting his accomplishemnts and dreams to this crowd of fans. You showed an arrogance that is not becoming to you. Are you not convinced that you are the best man for the post? Are you not proud of your record enough to simply stand on it as your testimony for worthiness?

Well, you got some s'plainin' to do, George. And it isn't so much about is you or is you ain't a racist as it is about what kind of heart beats inside your chest.

Do you care about your state and your country and your government? Do you care about all of the citizens therein? Are you doing everything you can to make this nation stronger, its people better off and our system open and honest? Or might you be more concerned about electing people like yourself, who think like you do and want the same things as you? Do you enjoy demeaning yourself by flinging mud at your opponent and his supporters?

Just remember, George, you might have the votes to be elected senator and even president, but it is your solemn duty to work just as hard for those who voted for you as those who didn't. Anything less than a commitment to that only serves to weaken and divide our country.

Our time is up for now, George, but let's see if you can try this: Go back out there and apologize directly to this kid. Explain yourself to him. And then go out and conduct yourself in the manner of a Virginia patriot. Be someone we can all look up to in the service of the people and the nation. We need leaders like that. We need leaders who live their words and walk with the rest of us.

Good luck, George, and call us if we can help again.