Cowboy George (Allen) hailed as the Reagan for ’08

Sunday Times ^ | October 16, 2005 | Sarah Baxter

[West Coast Conservative]

A TOBACCO chewing, horse-riding, cowboy boot wearing politician called George could be the Republican party’s choice for president in 2008. With George W Bush in political freefall, speculation is intensifying about his successor. The rising star among conservatives is George Allen, senator for Virginia and former governor of the state.

The son of a famous American football coach, Allen is a minor figure compared with prominent rivals such as Senator John McCain and Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, but he is more politically mainstream and potentially acceptable to Republican stalwarts.

Bruce Allen, general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro-football team, has no doubt that his elder brother can go all the way to the White House. “He has always been a leader,” he said. “I would never underestimate what he is able to do. He’s very real and that’s what makes him special.”

Those close to Allen’s unofficial campaign place his chances of winning his party’s nomination at 60-40. Although no senator has won the presidency since John F Kennedy, Allen has hands-on experience as a governor and a folksy, populist touch.

No matter how smart his suit and tie, he is never separated from his “lucky” cowboy boots. Nor will he ever give up his chewing tobacco and spittoon, according to an insider, although he is said to be a Virginia gentleman rather than a Texas swaggerer like Bush.

Sean Hannity, an influential right-wing radio and television host, has been boosting Allen’s prospects by comparing him with Ronald Reagan, a friend of Allen’s father, and declaring him capable of winning every state in the South against Hillary Clinton, the Democrat favourite.

[W04Man]

were do we find "Click here for 3 full quotes"?????

[Gipper08]

It was the Club for Growth's Fall Economic Conference in DC.

[Ligeia]

George Allen on Immigration
No stance on record.

There's this thread regarding his stance on immigration:

A Different Perspective (George Allen Statement On Illegal Immigration)

[SDGOP]

Tell that to robert e lee

[defconw]

I hear you and Thanks for the Ping.

[strategofr]

"The FEC is suing the Club for Growth."

It is easy for me to believe that your links are correct. If so, that seems to indicate that Bush has allowed some Lefties to gain freedom of action to perform harassing actions utilizing the FEC. Bad news.

[strategofr]

"i would support allen over guiliani or mccain, that's for sure."

That, in poker terms is a "lay down".

[strategofr]

"How is that supposed to make her uber invincible for the general?"

I don't think people believe she's invincible for the general. Personally, I believe she will simply instruct the Democrat Party to nominate her, so that is not an issue.

That means she's halfway to the presidency. Since her presidency would be such a complete debacle, the risk entailed therein is very high---even if her chance of victory in the general is less than 50%.

[Txsleuth]

LOL---thought you might enjoy the thread and the article...

I LOVE the part about the mean streak...and I have to tell you, that all of the bash Bush stuff that is going on right now...makes me like it even more.

I do NOT see Sen. Allen, just sitting back and getting pummeled...but, I also like Bush's quiet assurance that things will be alright, but NOT going off at ever little thing.. I think Allen can hit a happy medium...and if JC Watts doesn't run, or I get more and more impressed with Pence...I would love an Allen/Pence ticket..

[strategofr]

"Better to test and find out in something other than the biggest election of all."

Agreed.

[Yaelle]

One concern I have with Condi is the fact that she has never been married, I can see the left and the media making all sorts of insinuations about this.

Unlike Bill Clinton, who was bound under holy matrimony...

[B4Ranch]

When I see what Bills Allen has signed that involve illegals then I'll vote yea or nay for the man.

Remembering that the FTAA is basically an open border agreement. That is why CAFTA and FTAA are so important. I grind my teeth every time I read about the illegals rebuilding NOLA.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

That means she's halfway to the presidency. Since her presidency would be such a complete debacle, the risk entailed therein is very high---even if her chance of victory in the general is less than 50%.

True. I guess I was reacting more to Dick Morris, who repeats the line over and over that only Condi can win. Not that I'm not concerned over Hillary running.

[B4Ranch]

"Men will love him, and so will women."

I don't love any man who isn't a close relative. Respect some of them, yes I do. Love is just a little to much emotion for me to hand over to a politician.

While I'm on the subject, so is trust. That's an awful lot to expect anyone to give to a stranger who has a team instructing him how to present him self publicly. Trust and respect aren't things I hand out very easily. Generally it takes me a few years to give either one.

I have met too many men and women who love/d Bill Clinton. When I asked why they thought he was so great, not a damned one of them could give me a reason. Maybe they just liked the way he abused women. I have no idea. He had that folksy public appearance all worked out too, but we know he was also a professional liar.

We're taking about our childrens future with these decisions. Please do a lot of praying and soul searching to determine that you are supporting the man or woman who is best for America, best for our children, not best for the world or the worlds children. This is the United States of America that is on the table here, not the UN membership.

[strategofr]

"only Condi can win"

goofy idea for a goofy guy.

[Corin Stormhands]

* Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)

And IIRC, rightly so. I believe Diane Feinstein attached an amendment to that bill that would have restored the assault weapons ban.

[Corin Stormhands]

Psst. George Allen is a lifelong resident of an central east coast state. Sorry to dissapoint.

Psst. Not exactly. He was born in California.

He came to Virginia to attend UVA around the time (I believe) his dad started coaching the Redskins.

[Catholic Iowan]

I like what many have said about Mike Pence. Another good one, IMO, is Sen. Sam Brownback. I heard him about a month ago in Des Moines, IA at a Republican function, and he was excellent, and passionately pro-life. I think Brownback/Pence would be a great ticket (or vice versa for the top spot).

[TruthNtegrity]

Nope, Allen has never had a hurricane hit Virginia while he was Governor. I know - I lived there when he was Gov.

I liked him right up to the "hate crimes bill" and this "go easy on terrorists" thing he signed.

Now that he's signed those two, I'm moving on. He is NO Reagan. Ronald Magnanimus would never have signed such smelly legislation. Allen just cooked his goose, as far as I'm concerned.

And after Allen, the people of VA for some strange reason voted in that jerk, Warner, who has raised property taxes so much, that Richmond has a $3 BILLION with a "B" excess, which Warner (D) decided to NOT give back to the people who paid it but to keep it some sort of "rainy day" fund. That's Dumbocrats for ya.

I am now a former Virginian, although in my heart of hearts, I'll be a Virginian for the rest of my days. Just had to stop living there. Got priced right out of the area, and then driven away by the road rage.

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for clearing up whether Virginia had its own "Katrina"...I guess not...

I just thought his "flip" remark about how "easy" it should have been, was just wrong....my gosh, we are talking land the size of Great Britain that was devasted...and he acted like...no big deal, Bush should have had it handled from minute ONE. huh..