Blowin' Bob talks to the NAACP: an eyewitness report

Thanks to newly-anointed Blast Off! field reporter (and Eschaton commenter) V for Virginia, we have a firsthand report (and photo, right) from tonight's Blowin' Bob appearance in Titusville, before the North Brevard chapter of the NAACP.

Well -- it was interesting; no drama.

There were about 20 people in the room and six of them had video cameras on tripods. [Orlando] Channels 2 (NBC) and 9 (ABC) were there; not sure who else.

He opened with some general remarks and there were a couple of questions about PIP and property insurance. Then the president of the chapter opened the floor to questions about the "july 7 incident" (actually not sure about the date).

Allen said it is very frustrating not to be able to address the specifics of the case; he hasn't had his day in court yet and his lawyer has told him not to discuss it except to say he's innocent of all charges. His family is much stronger as a result of this.

As far as what he said about the stocky black guy: he was also described as a stocky or maybe even fat white guy, and that wasn't racist, was it? He was just describing the person who was "standing/sitting" in front of him. What they recorded at the jail was just him giving a description. Words about how the folks there know him, he's been involved in civil rights and restoration of civil rights after people have paid their debts to society -- "you know I'm not a racist."

The support and understanding he's received in the black community has "meant so much to [his] family." Apologies all around if anyone was offended.

"As a Republican I've been asked behind the scenes many times" by colleagues, "why do you waste your time with those -- the NAACP, minorities?" (Nice buncha buddies you've got yourself there, Mr. Allen!)

A reporter asked some kind of generic question to which he replied that he was "under the gun and had to give some kind of description" of what had happened. He only had 3 dollars on him.

At this point the president of the chapter issued a personal statement in support of Rep. Allen saying he knew his heart was in the right place. Also noted that he's never heard of the organization that raised the issue of racism.

Generic question by reporter: "I want to talk, but I can't." Kids and wife heard about his predicament on TV before he had a chance to talk to them [note: Boohoo! Waaaaaahhhh!] The story was on Comedy Central and all over the place; don't people have any regard for the presumption of innocence any more? They've convicted him in the media and he hasn't even had his day in court!

Most colleagues in the lege have been supportive, although they did make some "adjustments in the committees." Now that he's had a chance to talk to them most understand that it's all a big misunderstanding.

I mean, can you imagine HIM hanging around bathrooms? When the story is told everyone will understand. There is a lot more tape from the wire the guy was wearing (?) than what has been heard, and it will all make sense in context.

Much more bloviating about importance of family, family, family. His dad was right -- it's the most important thing, his highest priority.

Under what circumstances will he resign? If the court says he's guilty. Once he's been adjudicated, the justice system has spoken, and if he is adjudged guilty he will resign.

Does he understand how people could be offended when he said he thought he was about to be a statistic? He just meant he thought he was going to be robbed or stabbed -- it didn't have anything to do with anyone's skin color.

He resumed his seat next to wifey, who patted him lovingly on the shoulder and smiled at him. She has been to the Wendy Vitter School of Loyal Wifery, it would appear.

The NAACP got on with its business and I came home and made a drink!

(boldface emphasis added)

So, if I tallied it correctly, we have even more racist Republicans (but not Blowin' Bob himself, of course), a stocky white guy denying that being scared of a stocky black guy is racist, a rationalization that it's just a "misunderstanding," an allegation of a wire(!), and a promise to resign if he's found guilty (question: if you absolutely were not guilty of a crime, would you even countenance the possibility that you could be found guilty? I wouldn't ...).

Blowin' Bob's promise probably will be as good as the promise made last year by John McCain, whose Brevard campaign Blowin' Bob is co-chairing. McCain promised to commit suicide if the Democrats took Congress. Bastard still hasn't made good on that ...

Basically, just good old Republican family values. And people wonder why I am so happy to be out of Brevard County ...

Thank you so much, Virginia, for that thorough report!