I was asked by one of my readers to comment on the recent endorsments received by incumbent Republican Senator George Allen from Richmond’s The Voice Newspaper and the National Black Farmers Association. I am not familiar with The Voice so I do not know how much influence the paper has. I did contact some of my friends in Richmond, including Conaway Haskins, who has his own thoughts about blacks and the Republican Party.
As for the NBFA – well, I’d say perhaps they need to take a look at this piece, which says in part:
For five years, and despite repeated urging by black farmers, Allen refused to do anything to assist them. Then, after the legal deadline for filing had passed, he submitted a faux bill to offset the rising chorus of claims about his enduring racism.
The black paper that I am familiar with is the New Journal & Guide, which has recently featured ads from both Allen and Webb. Given the ads, I contacted them specifically about a possible endorsement of Allen. With their permission, here is the response I received this morning:
Members of the Black press who recall when Cong. Allen, Gov. Allen and recently in his political career, Sen. Allen was not a friend to the political interest of the Black community. This man was against the King holiday, refused to meet with Civil Rights leaders from groups like the SCLC or the state NAACP and he endeared himself without shame to the Confederate flag and cause. The Guide will never endorse Allen for any political office. Allen is now seeking millions for technology upgrades for Black colleges, endorsed a bill condemning lynching of Black men during the early 1900s and want to help our Black farmers.. Where was he on these issues six years ago?
I talked to Mayor Holley from Portsmouth last week about his endorsement of Allen. Holley said that the reason for his endorsement was simple: Allen helped steer Hope VI money to Portsmouth for renovation of the Jeffrey Wilson housing project and has promised him more such funds. While I am familiar with the Hope VI money, I was curious to understand how those dollars came to the area. (Norfolk received funds as well.) I happened to run into Councilwoman Daun Hester last night and asked about it. Hester said that the localities need an advocate in Washington when it comes to getting Hope VI monies allocated to the area and that the Virginia delegation, including Allen, Rep. Bobby Scott and Rep. Thelma Drake (she mentioned these by name), helped to get those funds here. Kudos to the Virginia delegation for working together to get the funds here.
But is that enough to warrant supporting one candidate over another? I’m not so sure. Perhaps Webb should have met with these folks and promised to continue the bipartisan support that the area has received, if that is all that it would take to get an endorsement.
Honestly, I don’t know what to say about the AA endorsements of Allen that I haven’t already said. As a black person, I believe my interests are better represented by the Democratic party.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Well, it seems to me that most people, regardless of their color, understand better than this, who (parties and candidates) fundamentally has their interests at heart.
One thing I will say, it also seems to be that had we not unnecessarily and provokingly invaded Iraq, killing almost 3,000 Americans, injuring countless others, killing at least 100,000 Iraqis, and squandering over $300 BILLION, we’d have LOTS more room in our political debate to discuss real solutions, and lots more MONEY in the budget to fund them, for affordable housing options for people all over the country.
While it may be admirable that Senator Allen apparently helped secure Hope VI funding, does his effort reflect his true concern or a political calculation? Given his history, I’m inclined to think the latter. And to me, it’s very disappointing that elected officials and others who do in fact benefit from this money, apparently fail to recognize that in the larger picture, most initiatives and positions supported by Senator Allen (notably Iraq) are FAR more damaging to their community.
I feel the same way about gay men and women who work to support Republican candidates who systematically exploit fears, prejudice, and ignorance about their own community for political expedience. I don’t understand how those folks could work for, or endorse, people like Senator Allen.
The Voice newspaper is very small and it’s purpose is to cover pro-business/corporate interests. It is not widely read here in Richmond, so I have no idea why the A-Team is claiming it is the largest AA paper in VA. The Free Press is, and that paper is expected to endorse Webb