President or VP in 2008? An Interview with Senator George Allen

Senator Allen, thank you for granting this interview. Readers of The North Carolina Conservative are very interested in your views on the issues facing our nation and our state.

NCC: Tell us a little about your background, and how being a southerner has shaped your political and social views.

I grew up in a football family, and I always say that the four “Fs” that were important were - faith, family, freedom and football. You learn a lot of things from football: teamwork, motivation, preparation to win, and that all the players are important. You also learn from mistakes. If you get knocked down, you get back up and keep fighting. Another thing about football is that it is a meritocracy - you don't care about race or ethnicity. In a football family, you move around the country a lot - the only things that are constant are faith and family. Those values of faith and family shaped who I am, and continue to guide me.

What I like about the south is the people and the beauty of it. There is a self reliance, an independence and a trusting of free people. There is a distrust of meddling, burdensome government. You expect certain things out of government, mainly good schools and law enforcement - other than that, don't meddle in our lives. It is a part of the country where people are more willing to figure out how to solve problems in their own communities. Folks pitch in to address the problems rather than relying on government. They look first to themselves, their family, neighbors and communities. The hospitality is also important; people are friendly in the south.

After being governor, I was with McGuire Woods law firm. I had three options: run for governor again, senate or private sector. I wanted to get back into the political field, rather than being a spectator. I had accomplished 95% of what I wanted to do as a governor. The Senate impacts the whole country. You can pick key issues and advocate for them, influencing policy for the whole country. It can be frustrating - the Senate worships process - but it is worthwhile. I am a strong advocate for policies I believe in. I want America to remain a land of opportunity and the world capitol of innovation. I want to make sure the internet is not taxed. The internet is the best invention, since the Gutenberg press, for the dissemination of information and ideas. The internet has a positive impact on commerce, but it will also be helpful in spreading freedom internationally.

I want to advance what I call common sense, Jeffersonian conservative principles. They have worked in Virginia and throughout America, and can spread freedom and prosperity to the rest of the world.

NCC: What is your appraisal of the political climate in our nation? Is America becoming more conservative?

I do think America is becoming more conservative. People need and want a mission to unite us for a cause. I think we can motivate people to conservative ideals by showing the positive impact on their lives and families, their job opportunities, etc. President Reagan advanced conservatism - he was the modern day Thomas Jefferson. He applied conservative principles to everything from the Cold War to tax policies. Reagan showed that with lower taxes, a strong defense and by trusting the people, we could turn things around from Carter Malaise. He made us proud to be Americans again. There are hundreds of millions of people from the Baltics to the Black sea, who are now free thanks to Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul 2 and Margaret Thatcher.

The vast majority of this country agrees with the principles of conservatism that Reagan advanced. They will coalesce around the right leader, one who inspires and motivates.

We are in the midst of the War on Terror, and that is the overriding issue. Islamic fascists want to destroy our way of life. It is important that we face this threat with the resolve President Reagan showed in the Cold War. We cannot forfeit Iraq, or anywhere else.

We also must be more competitive. We are not matriculating enough scientists, mathematicians and engineers. China matriculates 6-7 times more technology students, and India matriculates 4-5 times as many. That can affect our standard of living and national security. We have to reverse this trend by working with colleges, the private sector and government.

Energy security - we must become less dependent on foreign oil. That will require a multi-faceted approach to energy policy. We need to advance clean coal, oil from US, nuclear, natural gas and bio fuel - we can grow an American fuel to fuel America. The growing economies in China, India and other parts of the world will continue to increase demand for oil. We can produce bio-fuel for under $35.00 a barrel - we will not see oil for under $50.00 a barrel in the near future.

We must drill in ANWR. I have been there; there is nothing there but mosquitoes in the summer, and it looks like the dark side of the moon this time of year. ANWR will be opened to drilling soon. We now have the votes, and it will pass. I am also working with Sen. Burr on a fuel bill to get rid of boutique fuel standards, which will enlarge our refinery capacity.

The other major issue is accountability in government spending. The Federal government is taking more money in, but it is not being spent wisely and with accountability. I support giving the president the line item veto, which is an old idea of President Reagan’s. I used it as Governor of Virginia with great effect. That way, instead of only 11 of us voting for that bridge to nowhere in Alaska, the president can veto non-essential items. We have to spend money more wisely and focus on important things like national defense and education.

Yes, we are winning the War on Terror. We are taking the fight to the terrorists. At home, there is much more sharing of information among state and federal agencies. We have prevented attacks at home and abroad, and have not had another terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11. We are making progress in the Middle East, and spreading democracy in places like Afghanistan, Lebanon and Egypt. The death of Arafat (that reptilian, corrupt terrorist) has created a real chance for peace in Israel. It is difficult, and will remain difficult, but on this very day we are talking, the Iraqi people are voting. We must persevere.

There are those who say we should abandon Iraq, tuck tail and run, but we need to continue with political and security improvements there. The tree of liberty has been planted in that formerly oppressive, terrorist friendly nation. As stability increases in Iraq, we will see more help from the international community.

This issue must finally be addressed - it is undermining our security and the rule of law. First and foremost, we must secure our borders. Finally, this is being done. We need more personnel and more detention centers. Catch and release doesn't work. We need to invest in technology, heat sensors and a virtual fence, unmanned drones that can patrol the border and use infra-red sensors to detect people crossing at night.

We should not reward illegal behavior through amnesty. This will only beget more criminal behavior.

We must reform legal immigration. We need a guest worker program to fill the needs of employers. The guest workers must be checked out and have background checks, so we know they aren't terrorists or criminals. We also need to expand seasonal visas for people who come just to work and not to live here. We also need to make it easier for people who come here legally to become citizens.

NCC: Like North Carolina, Virginia has seen much of its furniture and textile industry move overseas. What are your views on international trade?

Fair trade and free trade can have net plus. But, trade agreements must be abided by. China cheats - it manipulates its currency, which gives a 15-30% advantage. Nations must have accurate currency evaluations. Nations like China also give illegal subsidies to industries, which is contrary to WTO and hurts US workers. Trade can open markets to US if trade agreements are abided by.

I support concealed carry laws. Virginia has an excellent concealed carry law - I signed it into law as governor. Law abiding citizens get concealed carry permits to protect themselves and their families. Law abiding citizens do not commit crimes with guns. I am a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment, and all of the rights and responsibilities it entails.

There must be standards of learning. High School graduates should be able to speak and write English, know history and be proficient in science and math. We set high standards in Virginia when I was governor, and students in Virginia are testing higher. K-12 is the state’s responsibility. No Child Left Behind had the right idea, but it has been detrimental to Virginia - it undermines state standards by setting the national standards lower than the state's. Complying with federal regulations requires us to “dumb down” our academic standards. I have introduced legislation, called Flexibility for Champion Schools, to address it. It would make sure that Virginia, or any other state with higher standards, go forward without interference from micromanaging federal bureaucracies.

Yes, I support vouchers as a state and local option. Washington, DC is under federal jurisdiction, and I supported it for DC. Now, about 1,700 students have vouchers under the DC Choice program, which they can carry to private schools. I don't think the Federal Government should mandate it, but it also shouldn't prevent it. The money should go with the student, if the state and localities wish.

NCC: Rush Limbaugh has repeatedly stated that your political speeches are inspirational and remind him of President Reagan; what is your reaction to his praise?

That is as high a compliment as I can envision. I like Rush Limbaugh - he is an influential and smart leader. He is also entertaining. I find it relaxing to listen to Rush. It is a very high compliment to be mentioned by Rush, and to be mentioned with my political hero, the man who motivated me to get involved in politics, President Reagan. I was in law school, at the University of Virginia, when they asked me to become chairman of Young Americans for Reagan, which was my first experience in organized politics. Plus, Rush knows sports, and he knows football.

Again, Senator Allen, thank you for this interview and your service to our nation.

Thank you, Judson. It is such a pleasure speaking with a conservative journalist, and one who actually values accuracy!

I would like to say one more thing - I want to recommend a movie to your readers, "The Chronicals of Narnia". It is a wonderful, magical movie. The cinematography and the scenery remind me of the Asheville area, around the Grove Park and the Biltmore Estate. The movie has a great message, and I think people will really take something positive away from it.

The North Carolina Conservative is North Carolina’s only independent, state-wide conservative newspaper. Please visit www.northcarolinaconservative.com frequently for exclusive interviews and commentary, as well as coverage of politics in North Carolina.

Judson Cox is a political columnist from the mountains of North Carolina. Judson Cox is President of the Foundation for Conservative American Values and Editor In Chief of the North Carolina Conservative (soon to be North Carolina’s largest circulation newspaper). Please visit www.northcarolinaconservative.com

And then lose to Hillary?

Well, you can't sweep 50 states anymore.

Hillary is going to win a small handfull of states, nothing can stop that.

But when she gets blown out coast to coast, who is going to care?

Very good observation. Even when people care about an issue, they often get only a surface understanding of it. Here in Virginia several years ago, we elected a governor who promised to do away with the hated automobile property tax, which at that time was due every year in December.

He was elected in November, and by the end of the year, the state was reporting a lot of people who were being pinged on overdue payments were responding, "Gilmore was elected, so we don't have to pay it", totally missing the fact that the legislature hadn't even MET to consider the proposal yet! (rolling eyes)

Never underestimate the electorate. :-\

I agree; he's very likeable and when I've heard him on the radio he sounds great and I did not find him to be boring. Plus he has connections to California, where his father George Allen Sr., coached the Los Angeles Rams for several years, IIRC. He might even be able to win in CA or at least make the Dems spend a lot of time and money defending that state.

84 posted on 01/21/2006 1:34:50 PM PST by carl in alaska (Kerry did not invent treason, but he invented the use of treason as a democrat political strategy.)

Personally I think Ohio's own Ken Blackwell would make an excellent President. Black Republican (which always pisses off Dems), very Reaganesque in his views, likeable, electable.

Blackwell has alot of the Reagan qualities, but I'd like to seem him build up a record of governance first to make sure he matches what he says.

I saw what happened with the golden boy in colorado.

Well, I slightly disagree with that. I consider those peripheral issues important and one where conservatives can build a consensus.

Partial birth abortion is something that turns most people (of both major political flavors) off and should be banned, and I think a solid consensus can be built around that. Parental notification of minors seeking abortions likewise (despite its stunning loss in California) is a good consensus issue. Federal funding for abortions is another. Those are the pro life issues in 2006 that a conservative consensus can be reached.

Whether abortion should be legal or not, sad to say, is not the 2006 issue among most people. So in that way, I think they are issues conservatives, pro lifers, and others can reach agreement on.

The bad news is if it's Warner (as I suspect it will end up being), who isn't exactly colorful but looks better in comparison to Allen.

Don't believe all the hype about Mark Warner. His star will fade quickly enough. He knew he'd never beat Allen in a head to head contest. That's why he's not running for Senator this year.

Warner has been all over the spotlight for "saving" the state's economy, which was never really ailing to begin with. His successor is going to screw that up in a matter of days.

I would like to think you're right about building a consensus, but even here on FR you can see the impatience - "Alito's going to the Court, and Roe's going DOWN!" It's been 33 years and people don't understand why they are not getting results.

what's his position on first trimester abortions for adult women? that's an issue he doesn't vote on as a senator, but if pressed on his opinion on that during a presidential campaign, a few google searches will show what his position is (was). I am not personally flipping out over it, but alot of pro-lifers I suspect will not like the answer.

paragraphs 10 & 11, as an example, here:

http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/lynch/wb/xp-13535

Well, I looked for it and can't find it; I read it on here somewhere in the last few weeks; basically, Reagan doubled government spending and Bush is less than a quarter, off the top of my head.

I am right about the consensus issues - those are the ones that a conservative consensus can be built upon, the ones I mentioned.

There is no consensus to outright outlaw first trimester abortions in 2006. That was my point: that issue isn't going anywhere, but the true conservative issues that can be developed are the ones I mentioned, and others like it.

To the extent that some pro lifers can't cope with that, too bad. Similarly, to the extent that the 'abortions r us' crowd can't cope with that, too bad.

It certainly is.All of those groups I spoke of all have Pence as their First or in one case second choice.Name ID??????? That is what the primaries are for! None of the other "conservatives" in the race are going to run away with it(who is above 5% in New Hampshire?) any time soon BECAUSE they can't get the endorsement of the groups I mentioned.Pence is the only guy who can unite the right wing interest groups.He has 8 months to build name ID and stature.Considering he is in the news 4x as much as Allen I would say he is on his way.

How about a friendly bet: $10 says that Pence won't be campaigning for himself one month into the GOP primaries?

Do you think he's gonna end up with a leadership post in the House? People were talking about him as Majority Whip.

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