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I am watching the Allen-Webb debate today on and off. Just caught the last couple questions about gun control and Iraq funding. Webb echoed Allen's support for robust gun rights. He then said would not vote to cut off Iraq war funding. In so doing, he implied that the anti-war movement and Nixon's domestic troubles were to blame for our loss in Vietnam. If one didn't know better, one would think he were a Republican. So who will the angry left vote for?

If you didn't catch it, Allen had a particularly strong moment early in the debate. One reporter asked him about his mother's possible Jewish ancestry. Seizing on the crowd's boos, Allen replied that the religion of his ancestors is generally out of bounds and that the debate should focus on issues that actually matter. It was good advice.

Webb is now dodging questions on his "Why Women Can't Fight" article, posed by the same reporter who asked about Allen's ancestors. Webb will only apologize for the tone, not the content.

But the real question is: why did George Allen bother to bring this up last week? Third parties would have done so, and already have. Allen strongly supporting women in combat doesn't help him with his base either, and probably will not win folks from the left or the middle.

topics:
Religion, Iraq