Webb, Allen and Political Football Metaphors

A year ago Senator George Allen of the great state of Virginia was the star player, on the short list for the Republican nomination for President and a regular on Sunday talk shows where, as a former college player and son of a famous coach, he belabored the football metaphor. It was amazing to me how he could relate every known political or foreign policy decision to football. But now, as a new Congress is sworn in, Allen isn’t just a bench warmer, he’s sitting in the stands, ineligible, having been penalized for a series of turnovers. There was, of course, the Macaca moment, which added a foreign slur to the lexicon. Then there was the situation with what Jon Stewart would called Allen’s Jewyness. Allen fumbled that as well, couldn’t cover the ball and as the pigskin bounced around let the situation get worse by talking about pork ( a favorite subject of politicians). Next some old teammates and a few classmates suggested that Allen liked the “N” word better than the “M” word, Allen being able to go at least two ways lingually. That ball skittered around the field interminably to the point that Allen lost his cool and let his campaign workers tackle a blogger who was trying to blitz the Senator. This made him seem like a bully, someone playing with twelve men on the field. Momentum was lost and his opponent James Webb, a lackluster campaigner, won the election in overtime by what amounted to a safety. Allen was sacked in his own end zone making Webb the Senator elect. Now James Webb is a fascinating guy and I predict will make a fascinating Senator. He’s one of those fellows who always seems to be able to move the ball down the field. Naval Academy graduate, legitimate war hero, attorney, Reagan appointee, Secretary of the Navy at a young age and writer of fiction and nonfiction, Democrat turned Republican turned Democrat. I don’t know if Virginia decided to give him the ball, or just take it away from George. Perhaps they thought he was one George too many. I’ve been aware of Webb as a player for many years. I honestly don’t think he’ll be too worried about a second term. He should be considered an impact player and ought to help build the Democratic franchise. I had never delved into his books but have just read four of his novels in quick succession. He is a very, very good writer with a great understanding of class, race and culture. More on his books in the second half of this blog.