Video: Allen concedes to Webb; Update: Webb video added
posted at 3:16 pm on November 9, 2006 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Coming soon. Allen is speaking now and has just congratulated Webb on his victory. I understand that Webb will speak somewhere shortly after Allen is done. We’ll have video of that here too, hopefully.
Standby.
Update: Allen says he won’t ask for a recount as it would cause too much rancor and waste taxpayer money.
Update: Here’s the vid. A gracious speech, although the football was a bit much.
Update: Here’s Jim Webb from late this afternoon, heartbreakingly earnest as he deplores the politics of personal destruction used so effectively by his campaign.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
That’s awfully decent of him.
(sigh)
(Granny, you let me down!)
see-dubya on November 9, 2006 at 3:21 PM
Is Hanson going to be on the podium with Webb?
cms on November 9, 2006 at 3:22 PM
Where is the ACLU screaming DIEBOLD!
Limerick on November 9, 2006 at 3:22 PM
Glad to see he is taking into account the effect on the country and the taxpayers… (sarcasm) just like Al Gore… (/sarcasm) wait…
E L Frederick on November 9, 2006 at 3:26 PM
E L….I think Al Gore is competing with Cleveland…..HE wants to be the ‘biggest’ President.
Limerick on November 9, 2006 at 3:31 PM
At least we know which party can lose gracefully and which one can’t.
thirteen28 on November 9, 2006 at 3:33 PM
Allen has more class than the entire liberal establishment combined.
n2sooners on November 9, 2006 at 3:39 PM
Classy concession speech.
htom on November 9, 2006 at 3:48 PM
If only Gore had had that kind of character. Bet the contrast doesn’t get noted anywhere in the MSM.
One Angry Christian on November 9, 2006 at 3:50 PM
Cya Macaca slayer…
And don’t you do it again…
*****
I wish all people could be clever enough to stay clear of the racial attacks… I dislike when dems do it, when republicans do it…
ar_basin on November 9, 2006 at 3:52 PM
Exactly the sort of thing I’d expect a macaca to say.
frankj on November 9, 2006 at 3:55 PM
OUTRAGE! Next you’ll accuse him of holding up children upside down and putting their penis in his mouth!
Max Power on November 9, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Florida had (has?) a statutory mandate that requires a recount if the margin is less than half a percent; Virginia has the same, the margin exceeded the requirement. In Gore v Bush, the delta was about 1800 votes. Upon recount, the margin shrank to 20% of what it was prior to the recount, about 300 votes. Gore asked for a manual recount in the 4 counties where there were issues, i.e. hanging chads.
I agree Allen is taking the high road on this. I would also suggest there are too many votes to overcome in a typical recount.
honora on November 9, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Hehe… so you are one of the recently pwned.
ar_basin on November 9, 2006 at 4:12 PM
Michelle,
MaxPower posted something rather questionable… I’m becoming concerned as HotAir is becoming DU-esque…
ar_basin on November 9, 2006 at 4:14 PM
OK, but didn’t Gore get more than one recount, more like four or more?
Esthier on November 9, 2006 at 4:16 PM
It is a sad day here in VIrginia. I have urged my friends, and my blog buddies to BE STRONG FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. This country needs your Patriotism more than ever.
Aleen’s Presidential hopes are gone.
Who is the nominee going to be? When will they dare tell us peasants?
seejanemom on November 9, 2006 at 4:17 PM
Max is joking about that infamous passage from Webb’s book.
You think Hot Air is becoming like DU? Have you ever read DU?
Or are you joking too and I’m just being dense?
Allahpundit on November 9, 2006 at 4:18 PM
Of course, if I could SPELL ” ALLEN”, he might have a better shot at a nomination… DUH.
seejanemom on November 9, 2006 at 4:19 PM
I did hear Webb’s acceptance speech and he actually used Dick Durbin and integrity in the same sentence. He had Harry Reid there with him.
Well Webb did write fiction.
LakeRuins on November 9, 2006 at 4:23 PM
There was the mandatory one and then he requested the one in 4 counties. That was stopped by the Florida Court and then reinstated and then stopped again. It was the same recount, but I understand the impression that it was
more. Oh hanging chads…..
honora on November 9, 2006 at 4:26 PM
Did he stick Dick Durbin in his mouth?
Just kidding. Webb simple wrote about an odd custom in a foreign country; there is no evidence Webb has ever stuck a penis in his mouth.
There is also no evidence he hasn’t, though.
frankj on November 9, 2006 at 4:27 PM
ar_basin, that is a joke about Webbs books.
In it Webb had a scene where a character saw a man “grab a boy by the waist, flip him over, and place his pe*is in his mouth.”
It of course quickly became one of the biggest internet jokes of the election.
It was used here a couple of times. (albeit without the actual word “pe*is”)
Honestly, I don’t really know how the management of this site feel about this sort of thing.
EFG on November 9, 2006 at 4:27 PM
I concede that Allen was a gracious loser whereas Gore was not. Their situations were very different however in that the Flordia recount consisted of human workers recounting ballots with hanging chads that were not counted by the machines. All the voting in VA was done electronically so a recount would have been nothing more than re-adding up totals from Diebold machines which would almost certainly produce the same results.
You can say that again. I like posting here because it’s more fun and more informative to debate points and articulate different opinions that simply posting in threads where everyone generally agrees with you. Lately though it’s been almost impossible with close-minded ideologues running rampant. Too bad Puritian isn’t around today or we could really see some fireworks.
JaHerer22 on November 9, 2006 at 4:28 PM
That would be so awesome to be DU like! We can’t do the swearing here, but we can do the crazy conspiracies theories, childish name calling, and the earnestly written hyperbole.
frankj on November 9, 2006 at 4:33 PM
Hey Thx. I’ve been traveling so I’m a little out of touch.
But correct, that is sick.
Someone should keep an eye on those types…
ar_basin on November 9, 2006 at 4:37 PM
I’m extremely disappointed. I didn’t want to see a classy concession. I don’t want to be the party that loses gracefully (as if they’ll ever give us credit for even that).
I was all prepared for a Mexican-style occupation. Just pretend the other team couldn’t possibly have won and start camping out in public parks. Refuse to go home until there have been enough ’special’ recounts that our team finally wins. After a few weeks of that, we could suggest forming our own government. Of course, Rove would be confused. He’d want to know if this was an additional shadow government, or if we’d just be moving the location of the shadow government he already runs.
Future political candidates can study Allen as a blow-by-blow of what not to do. He went from being a potential front-runner for 2008 to losing the senate seat he held.
On the bright side, Republicans lost by acting like Democrats and Democrats won by pretending to be Republicans. While this is a simplified version of events, it does bode well for the future of conservative ideas, if we could just do a better job of getting them out there to the public (and pushing for them when Reps get elected).
JadeNYU on November 9, 2006 at 4:40 PM
…what are you talking about…I’ve been standing behind you the whole time….
*HA*
…made you look.
Puritan1648 on November 9, 2006 at 4:43 PM
…now, now, children…Mr. Allen ran a bush-league campaign, behaved like a moron…the press could’ve phoned this one in.
I say that Mr. A fought long and hard for his cozy little plot of obscurity…let us sit back as he slips into it.
Don’t go away mad, George…but, do go away….
Puritan1648 on November 9, 2006 at 4:45 PM
All I have to say to Allen is:
You cost us the Senate because you couldn’t keep your big mouth shut, tool! Now don’t come back. Not Ever. YOU ARE DONE.
Lehuster on November 9, 2006 at 4:46 PM
What is WITH that FOOTBALL?! I did not see a photo op with him in it in the last three weeks without that damned football. He never played hs or college ball, and never coached it, yet he carries it around EVERYWHERE.
E. M. on November 9, 2006 at 4:50 PM
Where are all the claims of voter fraud via e-machines? Oh, right, Dems won so it was a completely fair and proper election.
Neo on November 9, 2006 at 4:53 PM
…very well said, Jade. I don’t know about it being a “bright side”, except that it *does* reconfirm that the loony Left which runs the Democratic Party is *STILL* in the minority. They run the network, so to speak, while people logging on are still as socially and fiscally conservative, pro-defense and stubborn as ever.
The Republicans, from Bush on down — actually, resting on Bush’s name a bit more than he’d find comfortable before moving on — have absolutely *NO IDEA* how to work with or against the press. These folks — *INCLUDING* Rove — are idiots and pollyanas when it comes to communication. Reagan understood how to juggle substance, rhetoric and good ol’ fashioned rah-rah. These guys now are societally illiterate.
There’s a crying need for a conservative alternative, using *EITHER* party as a host, to this blather of bipartisanship. Bipartisanship means, “Our policies are good, but everything’s negotiable. Want my watch?”
Conservatism means that some things *aren’t* negotiable. Most of those things went under-discussed in the recent election, and the consequences of other things went largely ignored, as well, while the Left — who, aside from shrilly shrieking, don’t really understand public opinion any better than their opponents — stuck to the same old “change is good” tune. Change is only good if it’s constructive. Usually, change is expensive, invariably messy, sometimes deadly, generally not well thought-out, and embarked upon by people with little to lose…usually led by folks one would be the most foolish to follow.
For there to be such an alternative, folks have to organize…and be willing to kick up some dust. Is America as we’ve known it worth a little dust?
Puritan1648 on November 9, 2006 at 5:09 PM
What is WITH that FOOTBALL?
That is how a politician tries to convey his JFK-style “youthful vigah”. You remember the (obviously staged) Gore family touch football game in late 2000? And the equally obviously staged Kedwards “football game on the airport tarmac”?
Lehuster on November 9, 2006 at 5:11 PM
A very classy concession speech. I wish this was the George Allen that we had seen the past year or so, then he would have easily been re-elected. Instead, he pandered to the far right wing of the party, and got into a disgusting mud-slinging match with Webb.
Forget about Gore for a second…even John Kerry wasn’t as gracious as Allen when he hemmed and hawed before conceding 2004 with Ohio.
I’m a little too young for when Nixon conceded to Kennedy in 1960, but from what I read, he definitely had strong grounds to challenge the results.
It would be nice if the Dems learned how to be as gracious as Allen in defeat, but I doubt it.
P.S. As someone noted a few weeks ago, is it possible AP or MM to NUMBER these posts? It is much easier to go back to these boards later and find the newer posts. Thanks!
asc85 on November 9, 2006 at 5:20 PM
Allen made one mistake, he let Webb and the Washington Post get him off message. I did not help Certain Rep. going on FOX and pointing it out. Cough, Cough, Michelle. I wonder how many votes did she take away with her comments. We will never know. Thats why I said back during Smutgate, We need to drink the Kool-aid because you don’t know what might happen. I she is not the reason he lost, but it did not help. With that said.
kara26 on November 9, 2006 at 5:32 PM
You’re worried that Michelle noting that Allen completely screwed up was a factor?
I respect Michelle for not imbibing in th kool-aid, and for speaking her mind clearly and effectively. She freaking giggled at Allen’s buffonery.
Allen owns 100% of whatever that cost him. It was his blunder, and I seriously doubt Michelle changed anyone’s mind about the matter.
Allah,
I blame the stem cells. Not all of them, but I won’t say which. They’re the evil ones, though.
Pablo on November 9, 2006 at 5:47 PM
George Allen played both HS and college football. He was quarterback at UVA. Not that it’s an important issue, but let’s nip that little memem in the bud.
MayBee on November 9, 2006 at 7:32 PM
or *meme*. Your choice.
MayBee on November 9, 2006 at 8:05 PM
Wow.. Webb has less charisma than a sack of dirt.
spmat on November 9, 2006 at 8:13 PM
I got the sense from his campaign that Webb is a horse’s ass, and had no control over the nastier elements of his own campaign. But this speech is proof positive.
What a joke.
Jaibones on November 9, 2006 at 8:25 PM
What an interesting sign in the Webb video background. An “Arab American Democrat” sign. Well, that is appropriate, dems and Arabs certainly had a lot in common before the election and both partied like it’s 1999 Tuesday night…….I hope those who chose the donkey are happy with the mess the donkey will leave behind…..
ritethinker on November 9, 2006 at 9:03 PM
I’ve noticed this obsession some have with the “football’ thing…..folks, his father was one of the most charismatic, innovative football coaches of his era. Sorry to show my age here, but the man grew up in a football-nut family……so hence the football….
ritethinker on November 9, 2006 at 9:08 PM
Hey pablo taco if you are going to quote, quote the whole thing.
I said she did not cause the race, but it did not help. By the way anyone looking for the perfect party or person to look to for political leadership, will at some point have to DRINK SOME DAMMMMM KOOOOOL-AIDDDDDD.
You will never agree one hundred percent.
So pablo i guess you are in freelancers corner, no matter what or how stupid you think something is in an eletion such as Tuesdays, speak your mind in the last 9 days of an election no matter what. Lets try this next time, if you have can’t say something nice, shut up!!
We will not ever win the house and senate back again without sipping some Kool-aid. There was even a couple of glasses in 1994!
ross
kara26 on November 9, 2006 at 9:27 PM
He wants the president to denounce dirty campaigning?!? After his jew-baiting, race-bating, slandering campaign that was nearly completely devoid of issues? Who the f— does he think he’s kidding?
Oh, I think he had plenty of control over the nastier elements of his campaign and knew exactly what his campaign was doing. Don’t give this POS the benefit of any doubt, he doesn’t deserve it.
Anyone want to take bets on how long it will be before he shoots off his big mouth and totally embrasses the people that put him in office?
thirteen28 on November 9, 2006 at 9:39 PM
honora, hon, Al would have been within his rights if he’d asked for a state-wide recount (which he knew would show him to be the loser), but instead he cherry-picked the 4 most Dem counties and got a pass from SCOFLAW to do so. The SCOTUS was right to slap this down and call if for the 4th Amendment violation it was.
Al tried to cheat and got caught–He lost. Think you could get over it 6 years later?
Jen the Neocon on November 9, 2006 at 9:48 PM
“Arab American Democrat”? Chilling.
Jen the Neocon on November 9, 2006 at 9:49 PM
“Here’s Jim Webb from late this afternoon, heartbreakingly earnest as he deplores the politics of personal destruction used so effectively by his campaign.”
Used by his campaign? Allahpundit seems to be so bitter about Allen’s defeat he’s already taken it upon himself to assume the responsibility of rewriting history. No one in Webb’s campaign ever attacked George Allen as a racist. Jim Webb didn’t put up campaign ads claiming “GEORGE HATES BLACK PEOPLE, MACACA MACACA MACACA MACACA”. All of the charges of racism thrown at Allen were from former college teammates and independent commentators after the incident at the campaign rally.
Allen was the one who tried to smear Webb as some sort of deranged pedophilia writer. Christ, not even Malkin backed him up on that one.
By the way, Allen is a blatant racist, he’s a close associate to the CCC – Council of Conservative Citizens – formerly known as the White Citizen’s Council, and has never repudiated his connection with them. The CCC is a white separatist group that advocates mass deportation of Latinos and Asians, and racially dividing the country.
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your conservative persecution complex. Oh, no, it was all those mean liberals that brought Allen down!
Grebrook on November 10, 2006 at 3:27 AM
I was responding to 2 comments re Gore. Interesting that SCOTUS “slapping” this down isn’t seen as judicial activism by the Righties……
You may be interested to know that I voted for Bush in 2000. Fool me once…..
honora on November 10, 2006 at 10:33 AM
Comment pages: