The American Spectator

I’ve seen the video, and I’m not sure I’d call Allen’s response “pitch perfect.” I find it odd that he became that angry over the question. He could have just said, “that’s not relevant to this campaign” without getting so melodramatic (citing Jefferson, etc.) With that said, it’s certainly understandable how he could have reacted in that way. The reporter, Peggy Fox, had already asked him about the Macaca incident, and then asked him about his Jewish background as a follow-up. In other words, she lumped together the Macaca episode and his Jewishishness as if they were both offensive. The way she asked the question, “Could you please tell us whether your forbearers include Jews…?” —as if his grandfather were a member of the KKK—was more offensive than anything Allen said. I can see why a frustrated Allen, egged on by his jeering supporters, would react the way he did. But I wouldn’t say it was “pitch perfect.” What’s most surprising to me about this whole episode is that a Christian politician finding out late in life that he has a Jewish grandfather has become a political issue, whereas it should be confined to being part of a Jackie Mason comedy routine.