With the task of videotaping opponent Senator George Allen’s “Listening Tour”, Sidarth’s raw footage has become one of the most frequently played clips on YouTube.com.

In the footage Allen clearly singles out the Webb campaigner calling him "Macaca," which literally means a genus of monkey. Was it a deliberate racist epithet or a weird ad-libbed word with no meaning?

Allen said his remarks to Sidarth, "have been greatly misunderstood by members of the media." He said Monday that "Macaca" was a play on "Mohawk," a nickname given to Sidarth by the Allen campaign because of his hairstyle.

Allen has made attempts to make amends with both Sidarth and the Indian community.

Sidarth, who was “shocked” to have been singled out has been in the national spotlight and hopes that Allen will make a personal apology.

Democrats, left-wing bloggers, and civil rights groups called him "insensitive" and "racist," while some conservatives called him "foolish" and "mean." A whole lot more is being said according to Technorati; the Virginia senate campaign controversy has become one of the most-blogged about topics on the Internet.

Related Stories:  

Allen on Damage Control After Remarks to Webb Aide

Allen to Meet with Indian Community leaders

Sen. Allen's Remarks Spark Controversy