Ledger DC Journal - News, Politics & Crime

George Allen has lost a good chunk of his lead over Democratic challenger James Webb according to a Rasmussen Reports poll. Allen has managed to generate an avalanche of problems for himself when recently when at a campaign event he singled out S.R. Sidarth, a Webb staffer of Indian descent who was trailing him by using a reference to a genus of monkey that in some countries is used as a racial slur.

George Allen

It was caught on video and broadcast on You Tube for all to see.

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"This fellow over here with the yellow shirt - Macaca or whatever his name is - he's with my opponent," Allen said.

He noted that his opponent, Democrat Jim Webb, was raising money in California, then told the crowd of about 100 supporters: "Let's give a welcome to Macaca here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia."

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Scott Rasmussen reports that in the wake of the controversy, support for Allen has dipped to its lowest level of the year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in Virginia shows that Allen has lost a few percentage points of support and Democrat James Webb has gained a few. The incumbent now leads 47% to 42%, a six-point decline in his lead over Webb since July.

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Early in the year, Allen was viewed favorably by as many as 70% of Virginians, reports the pollster.

By last month he was still favored by 64%. That number is also dented in the new poll, with Allen viewed favorably by only 57% now.

Webb is viewed favorably by 47%, with 20% "not sure" what to think of him.

--Jeff Freeland writes from Houston

On the web: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/