Posted on 03/29/2006 11:02:37 AM PST by Sonny M
Senator George Allen (R-VA), the third subject in Townhall.com’s series on potential 2008 presidential contenders, visited South Carolina this past Friday. As keynote speaker, Allen drew in the crowds to a fundraiser for Ralph Norman, Republican candidate for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. After his speech, Allen sat down with Townhall.com to discuss his thoughts on today’s issues and what the future holds for conservative politics. Included here are excerpts from both the speech and exclusive interview.
COLUMBIA, SC -- George Allen is a serious contender for the Republican nomination for president. A former governor, he wears cowboy boots and can often be found outside with his can of dip. Consequently, some Republicans like Allen, because he seems the most like George W. Bush—a charge Allen can’t quite understand, and frankly, rejects. "I don’t know why people say that," he said. "My two role models are Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan. Most people who know me think I’m most like Ronald Reagan." At the start of his speech, Allen proclaimed himself a "common sense, Jeffersonian conservative" and later quoted Patrick Henry. In fact, his talking points on government were so similar to Reagan’s that it seemed as if he had just read a few of the Gipper’s speeches on the way down to South Carolina.
Allen passionately emphasized his Reagenesque fiscal conservatism and Jeffersonian ideals on limited government. Most of his speech focused on lessening government and lowering the burdens placed on businesses. It is business, he said, that really drives the American economy: "Free people should be able to make free decisions."
He added, "Government doesn’t create jobs […] but government should get the field ready." In other words, government should get out of the way.
One way for government to get out of the way is to lower taxes. "Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem; Washington has a spending problem," he said. "The taxpayers are the owners of the government. That’s who we [Congress] work for."
When asked if the Senate would take up tax reform in the near future, he replied, "Nothing has been proposed as far as legislation goes. Our focus right now needs to be on extending the tax cuts: the capital gains cut, the dividend cut, and the elimination of the death tax, which sunsets in 2010." Tax cuts equate to economic growth. He added, "The tax cuts since 2001 have created 5 million new jobs in the private sector."
Allen went on to argue that Congress should view the taxpayers’ money as its own and spend it frugally, just as members would spend their own paychecks. "We need to look at things and see if it is absolutely necessary to spend the taxpayers’ money," Allen argued.
Allen not only identified the problems with the government, but he offered some innovative solutions. He suggested a federal line-item veto. "I had it as governor of Virginia, and the president should have it as well.”
Allen is also an advocate of a federal balance budget amendment. "We need a balanced budget amendment in Congress." He added, "49 states required balanced budgets, so why doesn’t the federal government?" Ultimately, he has decided, "We need to focus on what’s essential: national defense and the military […] then we need to bind down Congress with the Constitution."
Perhaps his most innovative suggestion is the "Paycheck Penalty." Congress often doesn’t pass the appropriations bills in time and adds millions of dollars worth of pork spending at the last minute. "If Congress does not pass the appropriations bill by October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, [congressmen’s] paychecks will be withheld. It’s their job; they need to get it done."
"Of course," he added laughingly, "that didn’t get a lot of support."
Allen also touched on immigration. He replied, "First and foremost, we need to secure our borders. They have been neglected." He highlighted the need for more personnel, more fences (both real and virtual), and more detention centers. "I don’t think we should reward illegal behavior […] you must punish illegal behavior, or you’ll get more illegal behavior." He also replied, "I’m not for amnesty […] I’m for immigration, but it must be legal immigration."
Of course, Allen couldn’t visit South Carolina and not field tough questions on social issues. When asked about abortion, he stated, "That should be decided by the states." He seemed to think the South Dakota ban is too strict and added, "I personally would add an exemption for rape and incest." If the Nebraska ban on partial birth abortion—which will soon be before the Supreme Court—is upheld, Allen foresees the Senate passing a ban again. "We did once, and it was held up."
Allen also defended the 2nd Amendment. "The 2nd Amendment is part of our Bill of Rights." "Law abiding citizens should be able to protect themselves and their property," he stated.
Unfortunate for Allen’s presidential prospect tour, the senator has an opponent for re-election. James Webb, former Secretary of the Navy running as the opposing Democrat. However, with the right effort and the same message on which Allen has delivered for Virginia since being in Congress, he should emerge victorious. "We’ll keep doing what we’re doing. He [Webb] is very formidable, but if we work hard and keep doing what we’re doing, we should be fine."
Allen is clearly the secret presidential frontrunner in the minds of many political types in South Carolina. These political types see two spots for contenders in the Republican primary: Senator John McCain and someone else. A lot of South Carolinians think Allen is that someone else. While McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Bill Frist all have made trips to South Carolina in the past year, the consultants and strategists have all been hesitant to back anyone. Everyone is waiting for Allen to jump in.
The question remains though: Is America ready for another George wearing cowboy boots?
Eliot Peace is a Townhall.com political reporter and a Project Manager for Starboard Communications, a conservative political marketing and strategy firm in Lexington, South Carolina.
I am not emotionally or intellectually ready to surrender my current President yet. :)
YAY....I found ONE other freeper that thinks the way I do!!
Thanks
I still think he should run for another term seeings that he was "selected" the first time. :)
From the personal opinions, one can also get insight into their ethical character or read into their way of thinking or reasoning.
Many folks who do believe in abortion do think roe was decided incorrectly, but would they as an executive try and overturn roe, would they veto or oppose partial birth abortion bans?
Would the support or oppose parental notification?
And the reasoning behind their personal opinions can also tell you if they are being genuine or if they are simply spitting out what they think the public wants to hear.
No matter who is the GOP nominee, if they are not pro-life and they are not pro-2nd amendment, I will not vote for them.
Freep mail on the way!
If Rudy gets the nomination, I'm staying home and not voting.
And I know alot of conservatives won't be either.
Whats the point of voting for Rudy if he agrees with Hillary Clinton on every single social issue?
That said, Hillary Clinton couldn't beat hubcap in a presidential election. As long as the GOP puts up someone with a pulse, she's toast.
I will never understand why anyone thinks she can actually win a national election?
That said, Hillary Clinton couldn't beat hubcap in a presidential election. As long as the GOP puts up someone with a pulse, she's toast.
I will never understand why anyone thinks she can actually win a national election?
I don't think we can afford to underestimate her. Just because we don't like nor trust her doesn't mean independent and swing voters don't. In a bad year for the GOP, and if Iraq is still making negative headlines in 08 and you know it will be with our co-opted media, then Hillary has a real shot despite what that fill in host on Limbaugh said today. Sure she won't win Southern states, but she doesn't need to. She merely needs to win 3 marginal states Bush barely won in 04 and she's in, and those would be Ohio, Iowa and New Mexico. And with the terrible shape the GOP is in in Ohio thanks to that corrupt a-hole Bob Taft, Hillary could very well pull off a win there esp. if she appeals to memories of the "great Clinton economy" of the 90s as Ohio continues to suffer under economic malaise.
Let's not fall into the trap of underestimating Hillary. She is beatable but so are we. We need a strong candidate who can draw independent and Democratic votes. Keep in mind Guiliani's social issues positions were what he thought he needed to hold to in order to govern a liberal city like New York City. I have no doubt he'd moderate those views to govern a much more conservative nation as a whole.
And even if not, are you really ready to go back to the corrupt Clinton cabal? I'd rather have Rudy as president cutting taxes, fighting the war on terror and cutting pork spending even if on social issues he's not much different than Hillary. And I'd much rather have him maintaining the honor and dignity of the White House than have that Clinton crowd back in there sullying the presidency. Think about it. Do you REALLY want to help bring about the exhoneration of the "Clinton legacy" a Hillary presidency would constitute? Do you really want to bring back the Scandal of the Month Club again, the selling of the Lincoln Bedroom and the selling of US weapons technology to China for campaign cash one more time? And do you really want to see Bill Clinton's national profile suddenly skyrocket into the renewed prominence that would come from being the country's first First Husband??? Do you now see there would be VAST difference between having a Guiliani as president as versus a Clinton?? Suddenly Rudy doesn't look so bad does he??
That is correct, there is a nice memorial after guy named George who was from Washington..
The only way he doesn't have a real chance is if people keep believing and repeating that. The man will win in a landslide if he can beat out the well-funded RiNO's for the nomination.
So did Bill Clinton in 1990. If he has a long way to go, then it's time to get moving.
Gulliani or McCaine are the only ones who I can see taking this on....Allen would be roadkill.
Why? Because he rides a horse and dons a bollo tie and a cowboy hat? Yet the guy can't even respond to the lies of a half-wit like Barbara Boxer when appearing with her on CNN back in September.
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