A Contest of Character
2006-10-11
Source: Washington Post
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rss feedIf Virginia voters want to pick their next U.S. senator based on issues, Democratic challenger James Webb and Republican incumbent George Allen give them plenty to work with. They disagree on taxes, the war in Iraq, support for the Bush administration, the deficit, how the government should fight terrorism, and a constitutional amendment aimed at same-sex marriage.
If Allen had ever heard of them, they might also disagree about what Webb thinks is the vitally important subject of the Senkaku Islands.
But if the character of the candidate is the deciding factor, Virginians are entering murkier territory in the four weeks before they decide one of the nation's most competitive and high-stakes Senate contests. Will they choose Webb, a man they're still getting to know, or Allen, a man they're having trouble recognizing?
Some Democrats privately worry that Webb -- war hero, military expert, noted novelist, a former Republican who broke with his party over the war in Iraq -- is still an attractive résumé in search of a campaign persona. His appearances on stage with Allen have been described by party professionals as feisty but chilly. And, strapped for cash, he was not able to introduce himself to voters on television before Allen put him on the defensive, especially with women, key voters for any Democratic candidate.
As for Allen, his campaign for reelection is unlike the "insurgencies" he ran as an underdog to become governor in 1993 and turn out Sen. Charles S. Robb (D) in 2000. "I don't recognize this George Allen," said Virginia Tech political scientist Robert Denton.
The gregarious, self-described "rebel" has not looked comfortable defending his lead, which polls show may be down to almost nothing. "Oh, the campaign got off on other things that were not issues, that were not ideas," Allen said with a sigh when Monday night's debate moderator asked what had happened to his lead. "Some of it I brought on myself; some of it was just smears in the campaign."
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