Do we have a copy of the two Amendments, that is, Durbin's and Allen's, as presented? I mean the face page with the names of the sponsors and the wording of the amendment itself? With, as has been said, Allen's handwritten crossouts? That would be the most revealing evidence it seems to me.  Especially if they are identical, with Durbin's name left off by carefully slipping the copying machine down a notch to overlook the upper portion of the printed amendment, and Allen's handwritten crossout changing one or two words of a pre=printed amendment.

Remember, Durbin is not contesting or protsting, says he's "worked it out" with Allen. Maybe Durbin is trying to work bippartisanship in order to help veterans, overlooking the thievery--- but it does weaken the case. Or, maybe this sort of oneupmanship goes on all the time as Republicans refuse to give Democrats ANY victory, however small, so there was nothing unusual about the event. Hmmm

...by Webb among Veterans, otherwise why would he be taking such an obvious risk just to prop up his weak record on Veterans affairs?

This appears to be a crime of opportunity, someone slapped the amendment in Allen's hand and told him to get it in before Durbin could.

1. According to this story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch - "Durbin said he had circulated a letter to fellow senators about his own proposal last week."

2. As you can see above, Allen maneuvered to get placed ahead of Durbin in the Senate docket (which Stevens conveniently allowed).

3. Allen introduced 'his' amendment which was essentially identical to the one that Durbin had proposed, printed, and reserved Senate time to introduce (see the bills here).

4. When Kennedy asks Allen what is different between the bill he is proposing and Durbin's (which Kennedy had signed onto as a co-sponsor) Allen hems and haws about adding 'blast mitigation' (which is not in either bill) and ensuring that professional services would have sufficient resources until Stevens rescues him by pointing out the will/shall difference (which Allen then admits is not 'a major difference'). In this exchange Allen does not even seem to be familiar with 'his' amendment at all.

While there is no direct smoking gun there is an awful lot of smoke...

As an aside, I am glad that Durbin has chosen to leverage this to ensure the passage of this amendment for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center program. While the repugs would happily scuttle a bill to score political points, Durbin knows that this money for the Vets is more important (another point that the Webb campaign can push).

-- no smoking gun but an awful lot of smoke --

That pretty much sums it up. 

On the video you can see that Kennedy knows what is going on, after a few questions to make certain that Allen IS a weasel, you can see his disgust- he can't even look at Allen any longer.  Then Senator Durbin puts the thief to bed. 

I don't like thieves. George Allen is a thief.

Kennedy (thinking): "Man, I can't believe this jackass is a UVa Law grad." "He de-values my degree every time he opens his mouth".

I notice that Kennedy has a fundraising page up on ActBlue that went up yesterday (for just two candidates--Amy Klouchbar and Jim Webb). 

I wonder if there's any connection between the fundraising page and Allen's idiocy.  You really could see Kennedy's absolute disgust with Allen.  Allen was completely clueless. 

Ted is bringing in the big bucks, hopefully this means his contributors will divert some cash south. 

This is disgusting.  Anyone watching the tape can see that Allen is a disgrace.  A do-nothing, pathetic imposter.  The last thing America needs is another slacker in the White House (or the Senate).  The sliminess warrants we bring out the Weasel meter on the center portion of the front page.  Update it (the meter) and "center" it without delay.

I've been slackin' on that, and there's a TON of material!  Time to get to work. :)

I'm sure that's what's going on. 

Just judging by Allen's veteran fundraiser a few weeks ago with McCain--they had difficulty finding 120 attendees in Norfolk.  The event started 20 minutes late and ended 20 minutes early. 

Allen can claim some credit on this bill now, but two months out before an election, does this really erase his record on Iraq or on other veterans issues? 

Also, in light of Webb's history--especially in government (assistant secretary of defense for veterans affairs)--can there really be any comparison? 

I suspect socially conservative military voters will break for Allen regardless, but I don't see veteran support going to Allen just because of one spending bill.  This may give him a little coverage in a debate, but then there's always Iraq. 

I can dream can't I?

about today's passage of the bill, he refers to it as HIS proposal, co-sponsored by Senator Allen.  Durbin may have worked in a bipartisan fashion to gain passage, but he's not letting go of the fact that the proposal was his.

We all know that this was just another pathetic attempt by Felix to pander to a special interest group that he has shown very little support for in the past.  I think that most veterans are well informed about legistlation in Congress, so they already know who their friends are....and Felix ain't one of them.

Congress is in "Play Nice With Others" mode right now, so I seriously doubt Durbin will make a fuss over the theft.  But subtle language like you point out is also revealing.  That's probably all we'll get.

Still, I'm surprised it hasn't been picked up more in the MSM.  At least in the Odd News category.

Times ticking away and desperate times calls for desperate measures. The transformation of Rubberstamper to Robberstamper.

and trashes Allen:

George Allen Reaches Across the Aisle, Takes Other Side's Wallet

Watch this brief video.[YouTube version] You’ll learn a little something about how laws get made! Because this may be the stupidest way possible to score political points: Borrow someone else’s amendment, cross their name off, write your own on top. And it worked!

The background you need: The Senate is debating Defense appropriations. Senator Dick Durbin drafted an amendment calling for money for vets with brain injuries.

Senator George “Macaca” Allen asked to speak before him, and introduced an identical amendment. Word-for-word (almost).

Our favorite bit: Ted Kennedy asks, “how is this different from the Durbin amendment?” Stevens points out the important distinction between the words “will” and “shall.” Allen adds: “I didn’t consider that a major difference, however, the point is, it’s nineteen million dollars and it shall be appropriated.”

Then Stevens gets excited and asks to cosponsor!

Today, we received an email blast from Allen’s office. It was headlined Allen-Durbin Amendment Passes Providing More Funding to Treat Soldiers Suffering Brain Trauma. Everyone wins! And the Webb campaign gets all pissy but no one notices.

George Allen Steals Durbin Amendment - Calls It His Own [Webb for Senate]

Keith Olbermann rated George Allen as "worser" person in the world Thursday Night for this stunt.