Senator Allen's Outrage

Waldo and Virginia Centrist (wasn't he supposed to be leaving blogging?) both are questioning the response of Senator Allen to a question posed by WUSA-TV's Peggy Fox, involving his Jewish ancestry. Waldo wrote:

He claimed outrage at the question, citing (equally bizarrely) his freedom of religion, and went on a two-minute tirade on the topic, accusing the reporter of “casting aspersions” by her very question. He refused to answer the question.

...

I’m genuinely baffled. Is he of Jewish descent (which seems likely), and is ashamed of it? Has he always refused to talk about religion? Or is his respect for separating religion from politics newfound?

VC wrote:

Who brought up Allen's religious beliefs? Fox was talking about ancestry...why is Allen getting prickly here?

I would like to see this situation turned around. Peggy Fox instead asks a Democrat of Jewish ancestry about his heritage and see the response. I imagine that the Democrat would react similarly (at least with some level of offense) and that voices similar to those of Waldo, VC, RKers, and other Webbies would come out condemning the question.

It is a very personal question no doubt, and does not pertain to this election in any way. It did not add to the debate, and it even sounded a bit confrontational:

"It has been reported," said Fox, that "your grandfather Felix, whom you were given your middle name for, was Jewish. Could you please tell us whether your forebears include Jews and, if so, at which point Jewish identity might have ended?"

And exactly what would the information about the loss of Jewish identity have added to the dialogue? This race is about George Allen, James Webb, and the voters, no one else. Peggy Fox would have served all Virginians much more by asking a question about the candidates' thoughts on the state of Commonwealth and American politics.

I think the real question is why no one covered Miss Fox's mouth as she was making that inquiry.

UPDATE 9/19 1 PM: I am not the only one questioning Peggy Fox. NoVa Scout echoes my sentiments, and Hot Air does the same.