"His easy charm, straight talk, quick wit, mental acuity and experience separate him from the pack of would-be candidates."
Posted on 03/07/2005 6:12:22 PM PST by wagglebee
Speculation rages as to who will run for president in 2008. It takes only a few minutes of conversation with Republican Senator George Allen of Virginia to understand why top-level Republicans are encouraging him to run. His easy charm, straight talk, quick wit, mental acuity and experience separate him from the pack of would-be candidates.
Formerly the governor of Virginia, Sen. Allen also served as a U.S. representative and in the Virginia House of Delegates. Now serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he's putting his experience to work around the globe.
While on a recent trip to the Middle East, Allen met with American military troops and government officials from both Iraq and Israel.
Allen told me about his long and encouraging conversation with Ibrahim al-Jaafari of the United Shiite Alliance – the mostly likely choice to be the next Iraqi prime minister.
I asked the senator if he was concerned that al-Jaafari might turn Iraq into a theocracy.
Without hesitation, he responded: "No. Not with him [al-Jaafari]."
Allen detailed his talk with the Iraqi leader, where they agreed on many important principles. They discussed the four pillars of freedom: freedom of religion, expression, private ownership of property, and the rule of law under a system of justice.
The senator brought a copy of the Virginia Bill of Rights to share with al-Jaafari, which Allen considers to be even stronger than the ten amendments that were adopted to form the Bill of Rights.
Allen said that al-Jaafari considers himself to be a religious man who believes that there must be religious tolerance and that all Iraqi citizens must have equal rights. Religion should neither enhance nor diminish a citizen's rights.
Al-Jaafari even pointed out to Allen that the United States has "In God We Trust" on our currency, but there is still tolerance. And al-Jaafari specifically stated that he didn't want Iraq to be like Iran.
Allen explained the significance of al-Jaafari's potential rise to power. If al-Jaafari becomes the next Iraqi prime minister, then Iraq will be the only Arab country to be ruled by a Shiite. All other Arab countries are ruled by Sunnis. (Iran is considered Persian, not Arab.)
This is a great opportunity to show the Arab world that the Shiites can govern. And to that end, al-Jaafari told Allen, he felt a huge responsibility to succeed.
During their talk, they shared some Virginia peanuts, after al-Jaafari politely asked the senator to taste a few first. Yes, Iraq is a dangerous place and Iraq's future leaders obviously can't be too careful.
I asked the senator how he felt the recent attacks would affect the momentum in Iraq. He noted that the attacks were focused increasingly on the Iraqi people themselves, which he believes undermines the goals of the insurgents. Instead of intimidation, this brutal violence seems to be solidifying the resolve of the Iraqis.
"These attacks aren't going to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people," Allen said. "The more vicious and vile these attacks become, the more it reminds the [Iraqi] people of what they don't want for themselves and their children."
"I have a great deal of faith and belief in human beings to want to live free and chart their own course," Allen said.
So, one has to wonder what course Sen. Allen has set for himself. Could the son of the great football coach George Allen be the next president of the United States? I'd certainly keep my eye on the proverbial ball.
Is he overage in grade? People who attain the governorship of a state and don't get to be at least VP within 14 years of that time, ain't gonna be elected president. When was Allen first elected governor? If it was after '94, he is still a prospect.
How well known was Michael Dukakis before he ran for president? Back then, the supposed superstar of the Democrats was Gary Hart, before his little boating adventure was found out. Then Dukakis came along and won the nomination. He was up 15 points over Vice President Bush at one time (before Bush exposed his liberal record to the public). For someone who wasn't well known, the public was at one time ready to vote him into office quite handily.
If nominated, a candidate has a fifty/fifty shot at becoming president. That goes for both sides.
Yes, but everyone knew she was in Iraq. I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about Sen. Allen being in Iraq and his meeting until now.
How significant it is depends a lot on your locality.
However, wagglebee is partially correct about the "elimination" of the tax. I've said it here dozens, if not hundreds of times.
It was brilliant campaign strategy. It was poor policy.
The tax was NOT, and will not be "eliminated." You are still assessed your car tax just as you always were. The difference now is that the state pays a significant portion of that car tax. The locality still gets the same amount of money.
So, what the car tax bill did/does is eliminate a source of revenue (the taxpayer) and increase state expenditures on behalf of the taxpayer.
Now, having said that, it was not the car tax alone that caused the budget problems during the Gilmore administration. It's just not that simple.
With all due respect, I'm skeptical about that.
I have first hand knowledge that was not the case when he was Governor. And I also know that he would not be pleased to know he has correspondence that is not being answered. Of that I'm sure.
It may not be the answer you or your acquaintances would like. But if you're not getting any answer, I'd put money on the fact that the Senator is not aware that mail in his office is being ignored.
Allen ping.
Name me one Republican with the name recognition that has the "Elvis" to beat Hillary.
George Allen may not be a household name (yet), but he's got all the "Elvis" he needs.
Well, he hides it very well then.
So9
Have you ever met him?
If ANY Senator wants to be a front runner they are going to have to take the lead and pass either A) judges B) G.W.'s domestic proposals for S.S. and tax reform. Preferably both.
Otherwise, my conclusion is that they have already failed the first test of leadership a presidential candidate must exhibit. If you can't beat them in your domain, I am sceptical of the ability to beat them in the General election.
I live in CA and have been following George Allen's career for many years. He was a popular governor and would have been reelected if not for the consecutive-term law that VA has. He will be a senator for as long as he likes...he could even run for governor again and win. Name recognition? Doesn't mean a thing. From what I hear, he's putting together a decent team...his name recognition factor will improve if he decides to push forward with a presidential run...he has the charisma and gravitas to make it happen. Allen could very well be the GOP's brightest hope in '08. He has the advantage of being from a southern state and he also has the necessary intangibles to appeal to voters in the other non-southern red states. Frist just doesn't seem to be able to cut it...not enough intangibles and charisma to capture the imagination of the voters who will decide who the GOP nominee will be.
I've got news for you. Hillary would beat All the Above
...but she would not beat Senator Allen, a bona fide conservative.
If you wish Hillary Clinton to be your POTUS come Jan '09 then you be sure to run one of those you've enumerated above.
You sound exactly like those who were sure that Ronald Reagan could not only ever be elected, but if he did it'd be a catastrophe of epic proportions. And these were Republicans saying this.
America is not interested in any Elvis qualities. America wants, and positively responds to, the truth.
We're waiting in the wings
You could put me on the ballot, and the fact that I'm not Hillary would likely be enough "Elvis" to win me the White House.
Gilmore has always been something less than a right-wing visionary...LOL!! Fact is, he shouldda demanded that local property taxes be made illegal after a transition period, then gradually take the State outta the business of reimbursing folks fer taxes already paid. The transition wouldda given localities time to bump up other taxes to make up the difference in their coffers, but there is no reason folks should be paying taxes on their vehicles, and Gilmore shouldda taken the high road and made personal property taxes ILLEGAL at the State level.
FReegards...MUD
I am not afraid of Hillary. Let's not forget the "Loathe" factor. I predict that decent people will turn out in droves to vote against her no matter who the Republicans run.
Having an attractive, true conservative running against her would be crushing and spells total disaster for the Dims.
Run Hillary Run!
Yep...especially after four more years of US exposing the HildaBeast's satanic proclivities...MUD
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.