Bob Allen's Fear of 'Statistics'

Posted: Saturday, August 04, 2007 11:00 AM by Countdown

Photo: CRAIG BAILEY/FLORIDA TODAY

Normally we don't bring you the particulars on the arrests of a state representative for soliciting prostitution, but the details in this one (which are just now coming out) are too hard to ignore.

Florida State Rep. Bob Allen, co-chair of the John McCain campaign in Florida, was arrested in July for soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex (Allen wanted to pay the officer $20 to do it to him). Allen had sponsored 6 sex crime bills this year, some of which dealt with indecent exposure and soliciting sex.

Now Allen's own words at the time of his arrest reveal he first tried to see if being an elected official would get him off the hook. Then, according to a taped interrogation by the police, he appeared to play the race card.

"This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park," Allen, who is white, told police in a taped statement after his arrest. Allen said he feared he "was about to be a statistic" and would have said anything just to get away.

So his defense is that he was cornered by a 'black guy' and offered oral sex to get away. Uh huh.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Right.

MK Indianapolis (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 11:34 AM)

It's always the family values guys isn't it?

DebbieG, NYC (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:00 PM)

It really is amazing how little it takes to scare a republican. Or it is amazing what they think we will believe. Even bush said "not all poor people are killers" but I guess he never said "not all black people are killers" so this guy thinks its an excuse to ask one for sex.

jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:04 PM)

Simply amazing. I read the article. Does Mr. Allen ever say why he was in that location to begin with? Had he ever been there before with the same, apparent, purpose? Surely this couldn't have been the first time for such a thing, so has anyone come forward with previous occurences?

Just amazing.

Independent, Texas (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:46 PM)

See what you get for twenty bucks. I think it's time for the Republicans to sponsor a 'Legalized Prostitution' bill, since this is getting to be a habit.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:56 PM)

Oh my gosh, this is rich. Yet another "the black guy made me do it" excuse from the white Republicans. Too much.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:13 PM)

Please help me out. What does G.O.P. stand for ? Is it Grand Old Perverts, Grand Old Pedophiles, Grand Old Patronizers, Grand Old Philanderers, or Grand Old Pariahs ? Thank you.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:40 PM)

Hi Bill, Saturday , 1:40PM post.

I am sure I am right here, the answer is: all of the above. Am I right? Thanks, I knew I was!

P.S., Thanks for laugh too.

MK Indianapolis (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 2:27 PM)

Was this before or after one of guiliani's campaign managers was arrest for selling cocaine? And before or after Vitter had to step down as one of guilianis campaign managers too because of prostitutes? Or before or after Romneys head of security was threatening to "arrest" people with the authority he had from a badge he had made. Are republicans really so afraid of taxs and people coming to kill them that they put up with this nonsense? Come on guys you can do better. At least democrates sex scandles aren't illegal.

jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 2:50 PM)

Bill. I prefer the Cover-Everything Term, "God's Own Psychos".

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 3:51 PM)

This is old news to us down here.. :) Another No Surprise!

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:01 PM)

G.O.P. = Gaffes On Parade, Greed Over People, Gutting Our Prosperity, Goal Oriented Propaganda, Grubbing On Petroleum, Grab Onto Pork, Gods Of Privilege, Graft Overrides Principles, Get Oil Proceeds, Grinding Out Psychopaths, Great Old Prudes, Gorging On Prostitutes.

C'mon, people; get in on the fun. If I can do it you can too . . . and I'm an Independent Conservative! (Guess you can tell why my feelings for "the base" prevent me from joining the party, huh?)

kingsXrulz, San Diego, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:25 PM)

The only "statistic" Allen was "about to be" was that of a hypocritical politician losing his mouth cherry to a brother.

This is why you see officers on "Cops" telling their arrestees that the best thing they can do is be honest. Allen has compounded being a hypocrite and committing a crime with lying about it and playing the race card; instead of two bad things, now he's done four.

kingsXrulz, San Diego, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:32 PM)

I'm sure FOX Noise will identify this guy as a democrat.

Boy, the party of 'personal responsibility' sure the hell doesn't know what that means.

FD, Denver CO (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 5:52 PM)

Dis guy was a Democrat "plant". And he jus got 'outed".

Tommy Gun (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 5:52 PM)

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:40 PM)

At this point Bill, I second MK Indianapolis's answer!

jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 2:50 PM)At least democrates sex scandles aren't illegal.

My thought's exactly. But my biggest problem with the GOP with this is that they adopted the Morals & Values thing to claim some moral high ground over the Democrat's. Look's like they forgot to send a MEMO to the elected official's of the GOP party. The Democrat's havn't learned from all this, they to are trying to bring a religous theme into their campaign as well.

Don Oubre, Paulina, Louisiana (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 6:26 PM)

So did the "black guys" drive you to the park too? Another republican hypocrite out of the closet. Not only is he a creep but he's also a bigot.

LA, Seattle (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 7:09 PM)

Sure and the first thing I think of when "cornered" by someone among a group of black men is to request that he perform a homosexual act. Because we all know that African American males are not the least bit homophobic.

The problem the Republicans are facing really stems from their own arrogance. They think that now they have some power because they have contributed to or participated in the Bush takeover, but not everyone gets the same protection in a protection racket, do they???

Paula, Kansas (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 7:47 PM)

Family values and moral superiority seem to be a washout for the GOP. And I'm not so sure these guys have what it takes to cope with national security either, seeing that none of the leading contenders for the Republican nomination have done a very good job of screening their own campaign staffers.

And what a defense! "Excuse me while I throw MYSELF under the bus." Wowzers. . .

Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:05 PM)

Riiiiiiiiiiggght. (Dr. Evil impression)

The Ghost of Bill Hicks (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:30 PM)

Niels makes an excellent point here -- how tough can someone be when the people they hire and enlist to do their bidding are not only incompetent but criminal?

Guiliani talks tough but surrounds himself with the likes of Kerik and Vitter and the cocaine dealer from South Carolina! I wouldn't entrust this man with the security of my treehouse, yet he continues to insist that he's the only person who can guarantee our national security.

Good Lord, the absolute gaul of some people.

John Decker, NY, NY (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:22 PM)

See what you get for twenty bucks. I think it's time for the Republicans to sponsor a 'Legalized Prostitution' bill, since this is getting to be a habit.
Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:56 PM)

Steve, Et Al - It sure does seem like it doesn't it?

Are the Republicans 'showing' America why we need a 'morality' bill in Congress? Or, the updated 'Ethics' Bill?
I don't know why I am so surprised, but, I am. It is becoming more and more clear that our Republican Congress[men] really have NO morals. Note: Does anyone know if any of the women in Congress have had any such morality issues, as well? Just curious.
I feel for those who are most likely hanging their heads in shame, because they do believe in the agenda of the Republican Party. It is so shameful, I feel, that a whole 'party' is being brought down by the few bad apples.
I still want to know; how does one distinguish between the "neo-cons" and the [regular] Republicans? Other than finding out later, after the fact, they are immoral, corrupt, and deceitful to their own party - how does one find out this information - BEFORE elections? Open for discussion ...

RudeRo, Hesperia, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:08 PM)

Steve Turner thanks for the belly laugh!

I see no comments from the neocon cheerleaders today..how ironic, not! Again, no surprise that the Grand Oil Party evangelicalholierthanthou born again finger-pointing crowd is just as, if not more so, morally corrupt and integrally bankrupt as their favorite targets on the liberal side.

The latest chapter in the GOP WHOOPS Got Caught Again saga, reminds me of a book called "The Handmaid's Tale".. Hypocrites all.

LT in MD (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 10:00 AM)

The really disgusting part of this story is that it would seem republicans think it is better to be a racist than to be gay.

jen,il (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 10:08 AM)

Maury! Maury!

Lynn Cheney, The Haight. (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:12 PM)

RudeRo, Hesperia, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:08 PM)

Re the definition of neoconservatism. I invite you to do your own research as everything I say will result in posts too numerous for the moderator to handle. There are many items listed when you search "neoconservative."

Re "how do you tell"? Much trickier situation as some Rs will use the term to mean "new republican" as a catch phrase rather than identifying with the policies inherent to the ideology. Make no mistake - this is a different ideology and has little in common with Goldwater conservative republicanism.

The only thing I will say is that you should be careful when you are researching to differentiate between what is "said" and what is "done".

Kristol considered himself the founder (wrong) and wrote extensively on the definition. The real info though is in conversations that have been repeated that show the infamous and insidious nature of this beast. Examples of those can be found in the most excellent book I've referenced before on this blog: A Tragic Legacy - How a Good vs. Evil Mentality Destroyed the Bush Presidency by Glenn Greenwald and, also, in Invasion of the Party Snatchers - How the Holy-Rollers and the Neo-Cons Destroyed the GOP by Victor Gold.

I'd be interested in your opinions after you've looked into it.

Independent, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 1:06 PM)

LT (10:00 am post)!! THE HANDMAID'S TALE is one of my favorite books! I read it for one of my graduate English courses. Scary as hell, but great! It's a good lesson in political hypocrisy, women's issues, choice issues, etc. The book is written by Margaret Atwood if anyone's interested in checking it out.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 1:18 PM)

Steve, Tru, Bill, Jen, kingsXRulz, FD, and others - wow - thanks for the laughs.

Hypocracy - thy name is Republican.

PS - LT and Krista - I read that book years ago - almost prophetic considering what's been going on lately - particularly in how the Pugs are continually degrading the role of women into simply being baby-making machines.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 3:38 PM)

A movie was made of THE HANDMAID'S TALE; don't bother with it. The movie sucked donkey droppings compared to the book. Too graphic? Sorry...but the movie was BAD!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 4:42 PM)

'Surge of Suicide Bombers
The Iraq war has turned into a veritable 'martyr' factory, unlike any seen in previous conflicts.

What's perhaps even more surprising is that the majority of the bombers are not Iraqi. National-security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie says that Saudis account for half the suicide bombings in Iraq. U.S. military estimates agree, and put Iraqis a distant second; in analyzing cases where the bomber's identity is definitively known, Hafez comes up with similar figures. Saudis play a little role in the insurgency as a whole but are key to the suicide-bombing campaign: the U.S. intelligence analyst estimates that "about half the Saudis crossing into Iraq come as suicide bombers."

That's one of the reasons the Bush administration's plan to sell $20 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf emirates has aroused protest. "Saudi Arabia is the engine of jihad," says a U.S. adviser in Baghdad who is not authorized to speak on the record. Recently the American ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Saudis in particular were "not doing all they can to help us" in Iraq. Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said he was "astonished" by the criticism. But privately, the Saudis admit they have a problem. A Saudi security consultant with close ties to senior officials, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information, says the Saudi government estimates that 850 of its citizens have gone to fight in Iraq since 2003, of whom at least 50 percent have been killed.'

Not a lemming for Bush, America (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 5:03 PM)

I'm not much on labels and the conversational conveniences that typically come from use a short form to identify another's idosyncrasies -or political affiliations- for me, it's difficult enough to come to some sensibility of what it is to be an American in Global 2007.

Nevertheless, whatever Bob Allen is in the realm of stereotypes and labels, it seems -based on initial reports anyway- he's doesn't have the mettle to be representing the public at any level or in any forum. For that, he needs to be banished from public service forever.

As far as his proclivities are concerned, if he likes bjs from other men ... so be it ... enjoy the journey, Bob -and stay out of the bully pulpit (please).

Michael, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 9:39 PM)

Go to the Florida House website:http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/PhotoAlbums/photogallery.aspx
the photos of Rep. Allen are credited by MARK FOLEY!
You can't make this stuff up!
Unbelievable...

Tim Young (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:21 AM)

I must add (although it seems strange that the topic cropped up here) to the praise for Margaret Atwood's A HANDMAID'S TALE. Definitely a scary negative-Utopian look at what the American future could look like under fundamentalist conservative nutjobs. Women get screwed...both literally and figuratively...because in such a society, their only value is in baby production. Whether for themselves or for someone else.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 7:28 AM)

ALLEGATION CLARIFICATION...
The local Police Report claims ALLEN, after asking if his public restroom "buddy" was a cop, offered to perform oral sex on the eventual arresting officer, AND, to "sweeten" the deal, offered him $20 bucks for the privilege. Add "No Business Sense" to his long list of deficiencies! ;~)

CW, Cocoa, FL (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 8:25 AM)

I think it's really irresponsible for you people to weigh in on this untill we hear what David has to say in September....

Scott Copeland,Naple,Fl (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 8:50 AM)

Foley, Vitter, Allen, Gingrich, Jim Baker, Swaggart, Eric Rudolph.....

Proud Republican (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:39 PM)

I guess that "Straight" Talk Express is a bit of a misnomer.

Confused in Florida (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:42 PM)

I guess Bob Allen plays his own version of "The Price is Right." "Stocky black guy, come onnnnnn down!"

Jim R. (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 3:53 PM)

Breaking News: Hastert and Boner have known about Bob Allen for almost a year. They just considered it,
"Overly friendly bathroom talk".

Sore Republican Page (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 4:08 PM)

Jim R.
You've got the wrong game, it's Let's Make a Deal.
Let's see what's behind stall door #1.

GOPerrrrrr (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 4:12 PM)

Where are all the right wing apologists? Dave from Tn?
Come on hillbillies defend your man. Surely you can come up with some democrat pervs to distract from your party's thundering hypocricy?

Gloating libral commie, SF (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 4:27 PM)

Wow, the hypocrite actually said, that "he was looking to make some money." He needed the $20 that bad. Fox Noise has got to do something about this. They must take a stance on this issue. The time has come. The Florida legislature has got to increase the salary of its legislators to prevent stuff like this from happening. Fox Noise, are you going to support me in my call for an increase in Florida legislator's salaries so the don't have have to moonlight as prostitutes.

Oh Tim Young @ 2:21 a.m. I got one that will beat that. Check this link out. Rep. Allen's favorite recreational interest is. Tuu-Duuh, "WATER SPORTS." Just what type of water!!!

Here is the link to his Bio page.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4204&SessionId=57

Just try and top that.

Allan, CA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 4:40 PM)

You librals won't never understand. We Republicans obviously don't care that our representatives; stalk pages(or cover up for pedophiles i.e. Hastert/Boner/Foley), hire hookers from the House Floor, solicit BJs in public bathrooms, deal coke, torture, lie,whatever. Just as long as they keep gay couples from marrying. It ain't easy being a bigot.

True Republican (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 5:22 PM)

When I read the 'stocky etc', the first one I thought of is the dimunitive Gary Coleman. Stocky, but not especially threatening, unless you have a trick knee. I must admit I'm confused with exactly what Mr. Allen had in mind for his twenty dollars. I got the Facial O-Ring part of it, but was he buying, selling, tipping, or charity-fundraising (hustling for a good cause)? Is this a new GOP way of attracting minority voters? Is this a one shot(so-to--speak) deal, or is this a portent of Republican shenanigens of the future, as was the Foley Enabling? God's Own Phreaks...On the Loose!

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 5:38 PM)

Lust, like Justice, is blind.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 5:41 PM)

New Republican Gameshows:

Are you hotter than a fifth grader.

The Page Dating Game

The Big Spin

Big evil Brother

Ted Stevens:Deal or no Deal

The Great Racist

Iraqi Survivor

America's got Bigots

K Melmen, Washingtoon D.C. (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 5:44 PM)

what a scum bucket! I wonder if tomorrow will bring a press conference, with the wife and daughter professing their love and devotion to him. Just once I'd like to see any of these wives actually tell the press what they REALLY think about their hubbies.

mad in Madtown (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 6:36 PM)

C'mon guys. I'm a very liberal Democrat but I don't think this has anything to do with the Republican Party. The guy is just a hypocrite who sponsored anti-gay legislation while apparently hiding his own homosexuality. It's sad really. The only reason I don't feel real sorry for him is because he apparently a racist. There are Democrats who are in or have been in the same situation. The only party affiliation connection I can see here is that the Democrats are more liberal so a candidate my feel he or she can be more honest about their sexuality.

Mike, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 8:42 PM)

Steve Turner, you need your own radio show..really all that pent-up hillarity. Did you ever write for MAD Magazine? Just curious..

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 7:28 AM)

Tru, to answer your question (cause I felt like answering it), I brought up "A Handmaid's Tale" because of the long history conservative "religious" nutjobs have, for going after gays and lesbians and any other group they deem to be morally inferior.. yet so many of their ilk wind up being caught in uh, compromising moral positions to say the least.

Just reminded me of Margaret Atwood's version of what life would be like if the wingnuts took over..a ban on homosexuality, alcohol, pornography, total racial cleansing.. But WAIT! Brothels with lot's of sex and alcohol (on the side) for the men in power..that are as secret as well, most of what goes on in the Bush administration.

Krista, and Sue.. I agree the movie was a poor version of the book..still a scary story though..

LT in MD (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:42 PM)

Every day, there is always one story on the intertubes that releases my inner chuckle, some goofball's dirty little secret laid open like a split pinata (no curly worm above the n).
I love this country!

Ron S. (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 10:22 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=304236

More News Hole

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories:

The Essentials

Countdown Links

Syndicate This Site

Add The News Hole to your news reader:

ABOUT THE NEWS HOLE