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Buckling His Chin Strap (George Allen For President)
National Review | November 7, 2005 | Richard Lowry

Posted on 11/11/2005 1:40:09 PM PST by CarlEOlsoniii

Sen. George Allen is standing on the sideline of an empty Giants Stadium about an hour-and-a-half before the 1 p.m. start of a New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. His brother Bruce is general manager of the Bucs, so Allen is here to root on the family team.

A guy with a vest reading FIELD PHOTO comes up to him: "You're going to be a tall president," he says, smiling. Allen laughs and they banter about the senator's height. He is commonly called 6' 4", but he is quick to note he is more like 6' 31/2" or 3 ", explaining that you never want to be inaccurate or to be seen as exaggerating. It is an unremarkable interaction, but the photographer has hit on something important: Standing there, basically unnoticed, soaking in the pre-game vibe, is quite possibly the next president of the United States.

It is not hard to do a calculation that says at this early stage in the '08 race George Allen has perhaps a better chance of winning the nomination than any other Republican. He combines the people skills of a Bill Clinton, with the convictions of a Ronald Reagan, with the non-threatening persona of a George W. Bush circa 2000, prior to his becoming a hate-figure for the Left. With a personal history that has forged a rare and particular political talent, blending amiability with a streak of competitive ruthlessness in a way that makes him, at age 53, one of the nation's top politicians.

He is about to embark on a challenging journey: running for reelection in Virginia next year, then -- assuming he doesn't founder on unseen shoals -- for the Republican nomination in 2008.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 109th; 2006; allen2008; georgeallen; lowry
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To: tiredoflaundry
If he keeps wearing hats like that, he's going to have a tougher time! There are no cowboys in Virginia, and the Redskins sure didn't appreciate them in Texas.

Other than his choice in headwear, Allen has done all the right things so far. I think he is far and away the best candidate.

81 posted on 11/11/2005 3:36:22 PM PST by Defiant (Dar al Salaam will exist when the entire world submits to American leadership.)
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To: goresalooza
He's much more of a conservative than Bush.

I don't know. Just a few weeks ago Allen voted waaaayyyy wrong on something, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Anybody out there remember? Ugh, wish I could.

82 posted on 11/11/2005 3:40:47 PM PST by lizma
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To: areafiftyone
He's not even beating McCain in the polls.

Polls, schmolls. McCain wouldn't make it through the primaries because McCain is not electable for at least two reasons.

1. He would never reap true support from the right. A lot of conservatives and Republicans would never vote for him because of his extreme RINOism. Yes, there would be some Democrat cross-over votes, but they wouldn't compensate for the lost Republican votes plus the Dems who wouldn't vote for anyone with an R behind their name come hell or high water.

2. He's creepy looking, and got a creepy voice. I know, I know, that's a shallow reason, etc., etc., but his physical unattractiveness and weirdness would turn off many emotion-based voters, not to mention Liberal media types who may like him now, but who would immediately see him as "the enemy" once he was the Republican candidate against their favorite Democrat. He'd get creamed with cruel jokes and satire, and he's too emotionally unstable to withstand it.

83 posted on 11/11/2005 4:02:10 PM PST by Finny (God continue to Bless President G.W. Bush with wisdom, popularity, safety and success.)
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To: areafiftyone

And what is the ratio of face time on an adoring media - McLame vs. Allen?


84 posted on 11/11/2005 4:25:09 PM PST by hotshu
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To: hinckley buzzard
This is because everyone has at least heard of McPain, but almost no one has heard of Allen.

I wonder how many folks get Senator Allen mixed up with his father.

85 posted on 11/11/2005 4:32:21 PM PST by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
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To: Sonny M
>>>"Supposedly George Allen and his brothers sometimes called Reagan "uncle"<<<

Man talk about your idyllic childhood!
Reagan is still my Hero.
86 posted on 11/11/2005 4:47:46 PM PST by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
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To: CarlEOlsoniii

Allen/Blackwell in 2008. A sure winner. It gets Va. and Ohio. It gets Blacks and conservatives.


87 posted on 11/11/2005 5:24:21 PM PST by jmaroneps37 (Everything points to it so why not call them the Whigs?)
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To: tiredoflaundry

Another COWBOY .. EEEEEEEGADS! The dems will be jumping off the cliff!! Come to think of it .. that wouldn't be so bad .. LOL!!


88 posted on 11/11/2005 6:56:48 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe in Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
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To: areafiftyone

Probably because people don't know who he is.


89 posted on 11/11/2005 6:59:19 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe in Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
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To: tiredoflaundry

Sad to say, just the visual of a 6'4" Allen walking over to shake the 5'5" Hillary's hand at the opening of their first debate will seal the deal for many voters!

People can be real shallow...


90 posted on 11/11/2005 7:00:00 PM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: areafiftyone

That's because people don't know who he is - except us news junkies.

And .. just wait until the public gets a real look at McCain in the primaries. Allen will show McCain up for what he really is - a grandstander - and not someone with the character or mental stability to be president.


91 posted on 11/11/2005 7:02:31 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe in Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
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To: pageonetoo

You've got it...my pick over a year ago...Condi is certainly 100% more out there than over a year ago and all looking VERY good...in every way. Encouraging.


92 posted on 11/11/2005 7:03:37 PM PST by TatieBug
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To: areafiftyone

Good grief .. did you overdose on your pessimism pills today.


93 posted on 11/11/2005 7:07:39 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe in Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
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To: HitmanNY

But he dips Copenhagen!!

http://sicsempertyrannis.blogspot.com/2005/10/will-smokeless-tobacco-snuff-out.html

Egads! sarc//

All I can say is I used to dip and doesn't Al Gore still smoke?


94 posted on 11/11/2005 7:10:45 PM PST by Sybeck1 (chance is the “magic wand to make not only rabbits but entire universes appear out of nothing.”)
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To: Sybeck1

Hahah! Well, so long as he spares us the visual, it won't be a biggie!


95 posted on 11/11/2005 7:12:56 PM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: lizma

Torture amendment?
Lynching apology?
Hate crimes?
There are plenty to choose from.


96 posted on 11/11/2005 8:54:46 PM PST by BransonRevival
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To: CarlEOlsoniii
"Let's enjoy kicking their soft teeth down their whining throats"

What a blowhard. I hope there's more to him than this chintzy rhetoric.

97 posted on 11/11/2005 9:07:38 PM PST by SpringheelJack
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To: Sonny M
Even the DUmmies are noting it.....and it scares them.

Actually DUmmies think Allen can be beaten in a heartbeat. They are afraid of McCain NOT Allen!

98 posted on 11/12/2005 5:05:35 AM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers, Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason!)
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To: BransonRevival

Good List. What do you think of Brownback? Just curious?


99 posted on 11/12/2005 5:26:27 AM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers, Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason!)
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To: CyberAnt
Good grief .. did you overdose on your pessimism pills today.

I know it sounds like that but when it comes to Allen I am VERY Pessimistic. I think we are hyping this guy up to the point and that he can't deliver. We have to be very careful and not look for someone who can deliver. Let's see if this guy who is up for re-election in 2006 can deliver. He did not do a very good job in helping with the governorship for his home state.

100 posted on 11/12/2005 5:29:41 AM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers, Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason!)
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