I'm surprised at you, Matt. Not used to the double standard yet? I've come to expect it, rather than be surprised at it.

Yeah double standards are a bitch when you are on the other side, aren't they? People have moved on from Robert Byrd, as they will George Allen eventually, though it remains to be seen if this will be before the election, because he apologized.

"Byrd's use of the term "nigger" created immediate controversy, When asked about it, Byrd apologized for the language: " 'I apologize for the characterization I used on this program,' he said. 'The phrase dates back to my boyhood and has no place in today's society. [...] 'In my attempt to articulate strongly held feelings, I may have offended people.' "

Part of the outrage at Allen is he slurred a person, a specific person, and tried to cover it up multiple times - all failing - before he apologized. I don't know all the specifics about Byrd, but I don't approve of his situtation. But calling out Byrd doesn't excuse Allen, it just makes them both pigs. However, one pig is on my side of the aisle so he gets the benefit of the doubt most of the time, though I don't think I'd give it to him here.

And actions tend to speak louder than words. In the 108th Congress (the time surrounding Byrd's comments to Tony Snow - then of Faux News), Byrd received an A from the NAACP in its legislative report card. Allen received an F. And to give you the numbers, it was 100% to 12%. Quite a leap, I think.

Though, to be fair, the NAACP tends to support liberal bills. And, the Republicans can vote liberally. Yet according to Mark, blacks should turn out and vote Republican, because Michael Steele is really looking out for them more than the NAACP is.