Free Republic

ASK GEORGE ALLEN IF HE'S RUNNING for president, and Virginia's junior senator demurs like any politician facing re-election this year. "When we get to the future, I'll determine the future," he told reporters recently. But make no mistake -- George F. Allen is running for president. Or he just happens especially to enjoy primary states. In March and April, he visited Iowa, New Hampshire, Texas, South Carolina, and North Carolina. He's courting bigwigs at state party conventions, and throwing his name in the hat for presidential straw polls. Facing two serious Democratic challengers while his re-election poll numbers hover around...

"Republicans do not need, and should not attempt, to muzzle their opponents."Nancy Pelosi? Harry Reid? Howard Dean?Try Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), presumed 2008 presidential candidate, in a laudable attempt to return the Republican Party to its historic role as opponent of political-speech regulation. While Newt Gingrich has been railing against 2002's McCain-Feingold legislation in recent months, Allen's attack on the GOP's current effort to regulate so-called 527 groups -- independent organizations banned from coordinating with candidates or parties -- makes him the first top-tier '08 candidate to come out swinging against campaign-finance "reform."Whether it's enough to force a serious confrontation...

If Hillary Clinton is such a shoe-in for her party's 2008 presidential nomination, then a new Florida poll is something for Democrats to worry about.More than 30 months before the 2008 election, Sen. Clinton can't get more than 50 percent of the vote when matched against two unknown Republican candidates?And, given Florida's key role in the Electoral College, the new survey will almost certainly provide more fodder for one of the most popular parlor games in New York and Washington, D.C. these days - "Can Hillary Win?"That's because there is almost a consensus developing among many of the Democrats who...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The historic Peabody Hotel's grand ballroom felt more like a locker-room Saturday morning as the Southern Republican Leadership Conference kicked off its second day. But was the game plan just for 2006? As the morning's first speaker, Sen. George Allen woke up the slightly sleepy GOP crowd with a speech quite familiar to Virginians who have watched him win races for the House, the governorship, and, most recently, the Senate over the last 20 years. He harkened the words of his heroes: Ronald Reagan, Thomas Jefferson, and his dad, the late football coach George Allen, Sr. He...

December 9, 2005--Virginia Senator George Allen (R) and outgoing Governor Mark Warner (D) are both mentioned as serious contenders for their party's Presidential nomination. If both capture their party nominations, Warner holds a slight edge in the race for home state bragging rights and Virginia's Electoral Votes.The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in Virginia shows Warner the favorite for 49% of the state's Likely Voters while Allen is the choice of 44%. Warner leads by 12 among women while Allen has a two-point edge among male voters.Crosstabs and other information is available for Premium Members. Other survey data shows Allen...

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November 12, 2005--Unlike the Democrats, there is no clear frontrunner for the Republican Party's 2008 Presidential nomination.Three candidates, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Senator John McCain all are favored by more than 20% of GOP voters. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist are the only other Republicans to reach the 5% level of support.McCain is the leader among the minority of Republicans with an unfavorable opinion of George W. Bush.If the three leading candidates do not run, "Not Sure" takes over the Republican lead at 30%. In that...

If you liked him as Bennifer . . . you'll love him as Benator! That's the hot new idea being tossed around by Virginia Democrats, who are desperately searching for a big name to challenge the reelection bid of rising GOP star Sen. George Allen next year, now that outgoing Gov. Mark Warner has ducked out. Why, who should happen to be pondering a move to Thomas Jefferson country but a certain square-jawed media magnet with a taste for liberal politics and millions to spend on it . . . Ben Affleck! Star of "Gigli" and the J.Lo tab romance,...

RICHMOND There was Democrat Mark Warner, all teeth, smiling grandly. And next to him stood Republican George Allen, ruddy-faced and grinning, too. Surrounded by reporters at the Richmond Marriott hotel last month, the pair might have been taken for best buddies as they celebrated the success of Virginia's tough school standards. Allen, Virginia's junior senator, slapped his arm around Warner's shoulders and sang the governor's praises: "We may be in different parties," he said as Warner nodded, "but it's great, actually, for Virginians to know there is that commonality there." Well, sure, but how deep does it go? Picture, now,...

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Just 23 weeks after the second inauguration of the 43rd president, someone who aims to be the 44th came here for the annual luncheon of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women. It was a target-rich environment for George Allen. He has the same name as his father, the late Hall of Fame head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins who was, to say no more, tightly wound, as coaches tend to be. If the son is similarly driven -- and he must be to embark on this marathon -- he conceals it beneath...

George Allen looks like hes picking up some steam for 2008 Two different sources: First is the national journal poll taken recently as cited in the WSJ's Political Diary.. heres the excerpt George Who? National Journal, the non-partisan weekly magazine of Washington for policy wonks and political junkies, has cornered the market on exclusive "insider" polls of Washington players. Its latest survey of 175 members of Congress, political consultants, and party activists turned up some surprising early opinions on the 2008 presidential race. The Republican presidential field is wide open with the decisions of Vice President Dick Cheney and Florida...

George Allen on Abortion # Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004) # Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003) # Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003) George Allen on Budget & Economy Authored Balanced Budget Amendment plus lower taxes. (Apr 2000) George Allen on Civil Rights # Support VA beliefs & pass flag-burning ban amendment. (Apr 2000) # Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002) # Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping....