(CNN) – Former Virginia Governor and Republican Sen. George Allen made his campaign announcement official Monday with the release of a video on his website.
"Today, I'm announcing my candidacy for the U.S. Senate," Allen said in the almost three minute video. "You know me as someone willing to fight for the people of Virginia, and I'd like the responsibility to fight for you again. Hire me on for six years and I pledge to work hard restoring freedom, personal responsibility and opportunity for all."
Allen said the commonwealth needs a leader who will listen to the voices of Virginians and fight to "repeal and replace this government mandated health care experiment, pass a balanced budget amendment and the line item veto and reduce our families' energy costs."
He lost the 2006 Senate election to Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, who has yet to commit to a 2012 campaign.
In Monday's video Allen said he has been traveling throughout the state and people are "anxious and worried" about their future.
"The pivotal elections coming up in 2012 are going to determine the trajectory of our country, whether the opportunity to achieve the American dream will continue to decline, or begin to ascend again," Allen said.
At a campaign event in 2006, Allen was recorded by a Webb volunteer calling an attendee of Indian descent, "macaca," which is a derogatory term in some parts of the world. The recording went viral, and contributed to Webb's narrow defeat of Allen.
Republican Tea Party-backed candidate Jamie Radtke stepped into the race in January, and she wasted no time criticizing Allen following his announcement.
"Senator Allen was part of the Washington establishment, and he still is," Radtke said in a statement Monday. "If we want to change Washington we need to change the people in Washington, and elect a new generation of strong leadership to the Senate who will make principled decisions. I look forward to proving I am that person for Virginia."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Please. George Allen and his "macaca" nonsense...get outta here
Americans do not need that kind of politician in our government.
Hmmm... He'll give Webb a run for his money for sure! Hopefully the Republicans can pick up the seat and retire Harry Reid from the Senate leadership as well! Then, and only then, will we be able to get this country back on the RIGHT track, and not the left track.
Just what we don't need - six more years of the "bored" Sen. Macacawitz.
"..I pledge to work hard restoring freedom, personal responsibility and opportunity for all."
Let's translate the GOP dogwhistling here:
"restoring freedom" – "Obama is a dictator and a socialist and communist, and so are all the Dems, just like Mao and Hitler and Mousilini. Everything done over the past two years has suddenly ruined your freedom because it was done by liberals, not conservatives, and it has nothing to do with the substance of what they did, just with who we say they are. Can't you feel all that freedom you lost? Don't you feel trapped? Isn't it hard to make ends meet? That is NOT because of the past 4 decades of Republican economic policy and the past decade of creeping fascist policies like the Patriot Act. It's all the Dems' faults. Look over there at the shiny thing, not over here under the hood."
"personal responsibility" – "I will fight to get rid of the societal safety nets known as Social Security and Medicare in hopes that minorities either leave or die off. Rich people hate having to pay taxes on any of their money, but especially that first $106,800...and especially when those taxes go towards something they don't need for themselves...and let's face it...I'm running so I can keep the lobbying dollars flowing from my rich buddies and corporate benefactors."
"opportunity for all" – "...to be indentured servants beholden to their corporate masters for their stagnant middle-class salaries that barely allow them to service the consumer debt they are forced to live on in order to make ends meet. And that's only if you're white. If not, we're probably going to assume that you're an illegal and try to deport you and if that fails, see "personal responsibility" above...you know, since I'm oblivious to the fact that the solid majority of entitlement recipients, even of social assistance programs, are white people."
I dare say he has a new collection of "references" for people which are sure to endear him to everybody, eh?!
this guy is pond scum...Virginia gets worse by the second..
Does he think his racial slur, "macaca," will be forgotton? He called a young black male with a video camera at his campaign speech a disparaging name and lost the election. I can't imagine he's changed.
Maybe he can explain what the republican health reform plan (Boner Care) means for 120 million people.
Yawn. I've lived in Virginia and George Allen is like most GOP candidates – he's dumb as a post and couldn't up with an original thought to save his life. If it wasn't for his daddy's name and money, he would be scraping gum off of the sidewalk. As a matter of fact, he's a carbon copy of our last Republican President. Maybe Allen is just aiming too low...
Re defeat Allen in 2012.
Of course he wants to try a comeback; his version of ignorance, fear, lies, hate and racism are back in style with the Greedy Old Parasites.
You LOST in 2006 and you will LOSE in 2012 – We do not forget Macaca!!!
["...the commonwealth needs a leader who will listen to the voices of Virginians and fight to "repeal and replace this government mandated health care experiment, pass a balanced budget amendment..."]
In 2012, the fight for Repeal and Replace will be history – how long do you expect to campaign on this? By 2012, the budget amendment should already be resolved. What else do you have to offer??
Wow, "macaca" needs a new make-up artist.
Oh great – another conservative with hoof in mouth disease. Just what the world needs.
We've got his mirror image sitting in our governor's chair.
This guy is the perfect candidate for the coalition of the wealthy and the stupid – AKA the Republican Party.
Senator James Alesi, from New York State, why are you not reporting on this Major story? The head of the republican party has called on the Senator to drop his law suite as it is soooo damaging to the republican party.News outlets can cover stories like this!!!!! If you want to really see how Republicans behave instead of what rhetoric runs out of their mouth check this story out! Disgusting!
What he means is hire me for senator and once I win I'll start working for the lobbyist like every other Republican and he's not wrong because that's exactly who they work for.
So Mr. "MaChaca" wants another chance to show the voters just what a racist he is...I don't theink they are that stupid...The voters made the right choice 4 years ago, I imagine they will once again vote for a man of honor.
And I should care about this because??? Please wake me when people start making their bid for President of the US.
Let the Tea-baggers and Allen beat each other up in the primary....
Where is the American flag on your video, Mr. Macaca?
I bet Mr. Allen supports the governor 100% on everything from making April Confederate month to repealing healthcare reform. Your 'macaca" moment is still fresh in the minds of many Virginians Georgey. You had your chance and screwed up! You're done!
"Hire me on for six years and I pledge to work hard restoring freedom, personal responsibility and opportunity for all."
Guess what twit, there's already freedom, personal responsibility and opportunity for all... so IOW take a hike. You aren't needed.
Good luck...you'll need it. Maybe the Neo-Confederates will get excited to bring one of their good ole boys back. That's about it.
Hope he wont be like another Republican tries to turn back the little civil right we gain 1964 by beginning his run for a high office in a little know town in center of these USA. Said enough.