In the lead up to the college football season, ESPN’s “College Football Live” is doing a series of “What ifs,” where the show speculates about what would have or could have happened in college football if certain plays in the past did not happen. Like what would have happened if Florida State didn’t have its infamous “Wide Right” moments or if Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner didn’t “stumble and fumble” against Tennessee.
These segments always make me think. And they sure make for interesting conversation among my friends who love college football. The arguments often go on over days. And I must admit the “what ifs” are fun to think about, especially if you are a political junkie.
At a recent gathering, some conservative friends and I debated if any of the other 2008 GOP candidates could have been a stronger candidate against Obama than John McCain was. I said George Allen probably would have been the strongest - if he had not uttered “macaca” - so I thought it’d be fun to try the same “what-if” experiment that ESPN is doing with college football in the world of politics.
So, just for kicks: What if George Allen had not introduced the America to the word “macaca.” Would things be different today?
I think they would be.
Had he not uttered that fateful word, Allen probably would have easily won his election against Jim Webb to remain in the Senate.
And during the 2008 GOP primary, which many conservatives felt like they were picking for the lesser of the evils instead of for someone they truly believed in, Allen would have been the clear and true conservative in a primary that lacked one. He could have then put away John McCain, whose support of comprehensive immigration reform with Ted Kennedy turned off the conservative base to the point where his campaign went bankrupt, and secured the GOP nomination.
In the lead-up to the convention, Allen, not having to worry about gaining the trust of the conservative base like McCain had to until literally the last minute, would have had no reason to pick someone like Sarah Palin to solidify his support among Conservatives. He would have been more inclined to pick someone like Tim Pawlenty to be his running mate.
And during the election’s most seminal moment - the looming financial crises that everyone feared - Allen probably would not have acted as “erratically” as John McCain did as Allen’s greatest strength has been his ability to both portray himself as a CEO while not losing the appearance of being a “common man.” Who knows, Allen could have taken a bold gamble and stood with Senators like Richard Shelby of Alabama (and with most of the American people) against the “bailouts.” This would have definitely changed the dynamics of election 2008.
What remains uncertain is whether Allen could have beaten then candidate Obama. He would have had a better chance than McCain, but Obama’s machine and the special nature of his candidacy may have proven to be too much to overcome.
What is certain is that had Allen not uttered “macaca,” we probably would not be talking about Sarah Palin today. We probably would not even know her name. Or those of her kids.
Though it is a stretch, it isn’t completely implausible to argue that without “macaca” there would not be the phenomenon known as Sarah Palin.
Playing Monday morning quarterback is always fun. But in this case, it’s something that one can definitely chew on for days.
Tony Lee is a conservative writer. Follow him on Twitter: @TheTonyLee.
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