As Election Day draws near, personal character continues to be a focal point in the close race between incumbent Republican George Allen and Democratic challenger Jim Webb.
The Webb campaign has recently found itself defending Webb's 2001 novel "Lost Soldiers," which includes descriptions of pedophilia and incest.
Webb spokesperson Jessica Smith said the Allen campaign has brought up the novels in another personal attack.
"After six years in the Senate, Allen doesn't have a record to run on," Smith said.
Smith described the Allen campaign as having nothing better to do but thumb through Webb's novels to find something objectionable.
"With one week left, the only thing he can resort to is attacking Jim for being an award-winning author and journalist," Smith said.
Allen campaign manager Dick Wadhams said commenting on the content of Webb's novels was not a character attack.
"Webb continually refers to himself as a writer," Wadhams said. "That's the main thrust of his professional life... so his writings should be subject to scrutiny by the public. ... Webb is the one that wrote those words -- we didn't."
College Republicans Chair Amber VerValin said the passages from the novels will affect the race.
The new information has "definitely made the campaign more heated," VerValin said.
The content of some of the novels also parallels previous character attacks made during the campaign, including racism and sexism.
VerValin cited the fact that there are almost no positive female characters in Webb's works as a further reiteration of his controversial views expressed in his writings about life at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Webb did "characterize the Naval Academy dorms as a 'horny woman's dream,'" Wadhams said.
VerValin described the novel's content as a small factor in the race, but said it sheds more light on Webb as a person.
"How demeaning a lot of the passages to women are ... really emphasizes his views of women that were already displayed in his writings at the naval academy," VerValin said.
Many critics of the importance of the passages point out that they could be taken out of context. Both Tom Wolfe, the author of "I Am Charlotte Simmons" and Sen. John McCain, R-Az., have lauded Webb's novels. Stories perceive to be raunchy by people close to politics are not uncommon. Lynne Cheney wrote "Sisters" in 1981 depicting both graphic lesbian relationships and rape.
VerValin said she still questions the importance of this latest character attack. Both VerValin and University Democrats President Katie Cristol said they wanted more focus on the issues instead of on candidates' personal characters.
"I would prefer people focus on issues affecting real Virginians," Cristol said.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 13 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
