George Allen, as Governor of the Commonwealth, famously supported Virginia's Confederate heritage. For three years, he defiantly proclaimed Confederate History Month. He geve prominent display to a battle flag in his home--and included it in one of his campaign commercials. But he is now backing swiftly away from those images.

Governor Bob McDonnell drew much fire earlier this year when he proclaimed April to be the month to honor the Confederacy. He backed down, and has now announced that there won't be any such next year, either. (Attorney General Cuccinelli has remained entirely silent on the issue--possibly out of deference to his perceived core constituency.)

Given this opening to the discussion, Allen has joined in. A recent statement offers support for McDonnell's "decision to recognize all aspects of this pivotal and tragic time in our nation's history." It is commonly assumed that both McDonnell and Allen have ambitions for further elective office, and in both today's Virginia and the larger nation, clinging to nostalgia for the Lost Cause is not a winning strategy.

Mark Rozell, Professor of Public Policy at the George Mason University School of Public Policy has commented that Allen's new stance reminds him of "the New Nixon." Nixon quite publicly and shamelessly sought to undo his "Tricky Dick" image prior to running (successfully) for president in 1968. Allen, should he for instance run in 2012 to regain the Senate seat lost to Jim Webb, will have to once again contend with the racism implicit in his 'Macaca' remark.

(Dave Sagarin, October 4, 2010)