Republican George Allen’s infamous “macaca moment” is “fair game” on the campaign trail, Democrat Tim Kaine’s campaign said Tuesday.
In a conference call with reporters, Kaine adviser Mo Elleithee said anything in a candidate’s past should get consideration from voters and didn’t close the door on the campaign addressing the issue in the months leading up to the 2012 U.S. Senate election, although he didn’t say whether the campaign intended to make it a focal point.
“Anything in any candidate’s record is fair game for discussion,” Elleithee said. “Anything they’ve said or done is fair game, and it’s something I’m sure the voters will consider.”
As he reboots his political career, Allen has willingly and openly apologized and addressed the 2006 incident in which he pointed to an Indian-American staff member for then-candidate Jim Webb and used the word “macaca” to describe him and welcomed him to “the real America.” The term is considered a derogatory ethnic slur.
Allen lost his re-election bid to Webb and is now seeking to win back the seat after Webb announced his retirement.
Kaine’s campaign said the incident gave greater insight into Allen as a politician.
“I think voters want leaders with a record of bringing people together and a willingness to unite people rather than divide,” Elleithee said. “George Allen has a long record of pitting one group against the other.”
