George Allen in 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
On Energy & Oil:
If you use electricity, you should vote for me
Allen said that people who use electricity should vote for him, claiming Kaine supports EPA policies that essentially make using coal for electricity not practical for businesses.
Kaine said he believes in the science he's seen, showing human activity's impact on climate. Kaine said he supported a measure to control carbon, and finding strategies to limit carbon's impact.
Allen attacked Kaine's use of a hybrid energy plant in Wise County in commercials, saying under current EPA regulations that plant couldn't be built today, due to its coal use.
Kaine countered that as long as new energy can be about "cleaner," that it would be good for Virginia and the country. Kaine also recommended cutting subsidies to "big oil companies."
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
On Foreign Policy:
End foreign aid to Egypt until they join War on Terror
On foreign policy, Kaine noted that U.S. military and Virginia National Guard forces don't have to deploy as often for the war on terror, thanks to past successes against Al-Qaeda and other terror linked groups.
Kaine then attacked the House budget proposal which cut money for embassy security, and linked it to Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee.
Allen noted that the attacked on U.S. embassies last month are examples of why sequestration is dangerous. Allen also singled out
U.S. foreign aid for Egypt, saying he did not think a dollar should be sent there until the country's leaders prove they're going to support the ongoing effort against terror.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
On Health Care:
ObamaCare hurts seniors by taking $700B from Medicare
Kaine noted both Medicare and Social Security are critically important. He said the Medicare budget is growing partially for the good reason that people are living longer. However, Kaine added that the government needs to get costs under control.
Kaine proposed allowing the government to negotiate rates for prescription drug prices. He argues this will save about $250 billion over ten years. Kaine argued that Congress failed to include that provision while Allen was in the Senate for Medicare
Part D. Kaine also promoted examining pilot projects for healthy outcomes, instead of just medical procedures. Allen on Medicare, said Part D has helped seniors pay for their medications.
Allen claims the $700 billion that "ObamaCare" takes out would hurt seniors. Kaine countered that money would be moved to programs that help seniors live healthier and prevent some medical procedures.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
On Social Security:
Raise retirement age, plus options for younger people
On Social Security, Allen suggested a gradual age adjustment for people younger than 50, meaning a longer wait before being able to receive benefits. Allen also wants an income level component, which would limit how much wealthier people receive.
Kaine asked Allen if he would finally agree that privatizing Social Security was a bad idea.
Allen stated that in addition to his age and income adjustment proposals, he would be looking for new options for people to provide for themselves in their retirement years.
Kaine countered that he believes Allen still agrees with supporting the privatization of Social Security. Kaine said he would fight against that proposal.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
On Tax Reform:
Letting Bush tax cuts expire is a tax hike
Allen called Kaine's plan to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for those making $500,000 or more is a tax hike, and added that hiking taxes is a bad idea in a struggling economy. Allen promoted growing the economy through shrinking the corporate tax
level to 20% for most businesses, which should allow them to hire more workers, and increase the tax base. Allen also proposed eliminating tax loopholes, and to reform the entire tax code.Kaine promoted his compromise proposal of keeping the
Bush tax cut levels for those who make less than $500,000 a year, and allowing them to expire for people with higher incomes. Kaine said doing so will add up to about half of the money needed to balance the budget, and help make it easier to find other
targeted cuts to avoid the mandatory spending cuts. Kaine believes Allen's plan of not allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for those who make $500,000 or more, will not work, and possibly add to the deficit.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
On Tax Reform:
No tax increases; no defense cuts; no bargaining
Both candidates railed against automatic defense cuts scheduled to begin in January unless Congress intervenes. Kaine laid out a list of alternatives, including allowing Bush-era tax cuts to expire on households earning at least $500,000. Allen, who
has made those defense cuts the centerpiece of his campaign of late, offered only vague solutions. He said repealing President Obama's health care law would help; and he proposed a flat tax that households could voluntarily choose over the existing tax
code.
What he said repeatedly was that he would not entertain any tax increases to solve nation's budget morass or keep the government from heading off a "fiscal cliff" in January, when all Bush-era tax cuts expire and across-the-board spending cuts
go into force. He accused Democrats of using the pending defense cuts to force Republicans to bargain over taxes. "The men and women in our armed forces should never be used as bargaining chips to raise taxes on job-creating small businesses," he said.
Source: New York Times on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Sep 20, 2012
On War & Peace:
Iran is a threat; prevent getting nuclear weapons
On foreign policy, Allen was critical of the Obama administration and talked tough on the situation in the
Middle East. "The biggest threat I think is Iran," Allen said. "If Iran gets nuclear weapons that needs to be prevented."
Source: 2012 Virginia Senate Debate coverage by NBC-12
Sep 20, 2012
On Gun Control:
Instant criminal records check on all gun purchases
When I was a member of the General Assembly, it was my amendment that said that when anybody is buying a firearm that--regardless of the firearm--there will be an instant
criminal records check. And I do believe those criminal records checks, including mental disorders or drug abuse, are indicated in any firearm purchases.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 22, 2012
On Technology:
Keep taxes off Internet
KAINE: Gov. Allen called General Assembly members "dinosaurs, monarchical elitists," frequently name-called John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, when he served with them in the Senate. During this campaign he continues it. ALLEN: John Kerry and I really
don't agree on many issues, but we did agree on wi-fi. There are other senators who we rarely agree, but we worked together to keep taxes off Internet access on the national nanotechnology initiative, of which I was a leader, as well as cyber- security.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 22, 2012
On Corporations:
Encourage corporations to repatriate their foreign earnings
Both Allen and Kaine said they support tax reform that would encourage corporations to repatriate their foreign earnings.
And they said they want to make it easier for foreign students to get visas and green cards after they graduate from American universities.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
On Health Care:
I want to be the deciding vote to repeal ObamaCare
Their differences kicked in as they reacted to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the individual mandate at the heart of President Barack Obama's health care reform law. Allen watched news reports about the decision. "I'm disappointed that they had
to use all this judicial creativity to call the mandate a tax," Allen said of the majority justices. "Unlike Tim Kaine, who thinks this is a great achievement, I want to be the deciding vote to repeal it."
Kaine said in a statement that insurance premiums and the number of uninsured both rose dramatically during Allen's term in the
Senate. "Clearly, inaction was not a solution, and neither are continued calls for repeal. Instead, we must work together to strengthen this existing program and improve cost controls," Kaine said.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
On Social Security:
Raise retirement age & end benefits to wealthy
On Social Security, Allen said he favors raising the retirement age and eliminating Social Security benefits for "people making a million dollars."
Kaine said he wants to lift the payroll tax cap--which would force wealthier people to pay more into the system.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
On Technology:
No online sales tax for out-of-state websites
Kaine indicated he was open to forcing online retailers to collect sales taxes, although he said the rates should not be onerous and some small businesses should be exempted.
Allen said he opposed asking businesses without a physical presence in a state to collect sales taxes.
Source: Washington Post coverage of 2012 Virginia Senate Debates
Jun 28, 2012
On Civil Rights:
Gay judges ok; activist judges not ok
On the Virginia General Assembly's late-night vote to reject judicial nominee Tracy Thorne-Begland, a Richmond prosecutor who raises twin children with his same-sex partner, Allen offered subtle differences.Radtke said
Thorne-Begland would have brought an activist gay agenda to the bench. "The biggest problem we have in the country right now is activist judges," she said, noting that a federal judge had overturned a statewide
California referendum that outlawed gay marriage.
Allen said he, too, was averse to judicial activism, but was the only candidate to say sexual orientation should play no role in appointing
judges. "Sexual orientation is not a criteria for qualifying a judge or for disqualifying judges," Allen said. "I just don't want activist judges."
Source: 4-NBC Washington on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 26, 2012
On Homeland Security:
Military readiness more important than congressional consent
When the moderator asked the four about Obama's decision to involve the U.S. military in the Libyan uprising without congressional consent, Jackson, Marshall and Radtke quickly denounced it roundly.Allen, however, didn't pounce on Obama.
Instead, he recalled the gravity and anxiety of sending U.S. troops into Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes. "In my estimation, it's the most solemn decision a president has to make," Allen said. "I have made that decision as far as
Iraq and Afghanistan."
"The concern I have is not whether we have a (congressional) authorization of force, it's whether or not our military is going to have the equipment, the armament, the up-to-date
technology that is paramount as they're trying to protect our freedoms," he said. "I'm really worried about the military readiness of our country."
Source: 4-NBC Washington on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 26, 2012
On Government Reform:
Sexual orientation not a factor in judges' qualifications
Allen distanced himself from the rest of the field on whether a homosexual could serve as a judge. All four denounced activist judges, but only Allen said a person's sexual orientation should not be a factor in determining qualification for the
bench. "Judges when I look at them, I look at what are their qualifications," Allen said. "Sexual orientation is not a criteria for disqualifying."But he declined to say whether he supported the successful effort by state
Del. Bob Marshall, another Senate candidate, to block a gay Richmond prosecutor from a district judgeship earlier this month. "It's funny, I didn't hear an answer from our colleague,"
Marshall said. "I've already done it. You've seen it in the papers. It's quite easy to stand here and say you will do and not do things."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
On Homeland Security:
More concerned with army's readiness than war authorization
The moderator asked whether the candidates supported the president sending troops overseas without a declaration of war from Congress. Radtke, Jackson & Marshall all were adamantly against it, but Allen instead attacked Obama for not supporting potential
government opposition in Iran."The concern I have is not whether you have an authorization of force," Allen said. "I really worry about the military readiness of our country, regardless of whether or not there's an authorization of the use of force."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
On Government Reform:
Judges shouldn't invent law or impose their political views
The General Assembly blocked a gay judicial nominee's appointment to the bench: veteran prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland, who came out as gay as a naval officer 20 years ago. [Opponents say he] was unfit for the bench because he had challenged the
military's ban on gays openly serving in the military, and lives with a partner.George Allen sought to align himself with Gov. Robert McDonnell, who objected to anti-gay discrimination in principle but refused to take a position on whether it had
played a role in Thorne-Begland's rejection. "I agree with Gov. McDonnell that judicial qualifications, not sexual orientation, should be the criteria for judicial selection," Allen's statement said. "Decisions on judges should be merit-based selections
based on a person's skill, judicial temperament, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws--judges should apply the law, not invent it or impose their own political views."
A spokesman for Tim Kaine has equated Thorne-Begland's rejection to discriminat
Source: Washington Post on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 21, 2012
On Corporations:
Focus on small business and job creation
According to Radtke, auring his Senate term, Allen "voted for every single spending bill, added $3 trillion to the national debt, and he voted for his own salary increase when we were deficit spending. He took money from Fannie and Freddie
Mac and refused to support reform, and we're still reeling from that, even today. And he voted for the largest expansion of entitlements since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society." Allen stuck to what he called his "positive agenda,"
focusing on small business and job creation. He said he'd support "policies that actually make it easier to invest and create jobs, including simple, fair and competitive tax laws, reasonable regulations, affordable, plentiful
American energy, and empowering education opportunities that will send a message to the world that America is open for business again."
Source: Washington Post on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 12, 2012
On Homeland Security:
Spending necessary to bolster the military, post-9-11
Radtke said that Allen "voted for every single spending bill, added $3 trillion to the national debt." Allen said much of the federal spending during his Senate term was necessary to bolster the military after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
"I
cannot believe we're going to blame $3 trillion in spending on war spending," Radtke shot back. "I don't remember Medicare Part D, and I don't remember No Child Left Behind, being a part of war spending. That is not why we had $3 trillion in debt."
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 12, 2012
On Gun Control:
Endorsed by NRA for record of defending Second Amendment
The NRA endorsed Allen for the U.S. Senate citing his "stellar record of defending the Second Amendment" and protecting the Constitutional right to bear arms. The NRA is America's leading organization promoting gun safety education and the
Second Amendment with more than 70,000 current members nationwide. Allen said he is pleased with the endorsement. "It's a most significant honor to receive the important endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA), a great
American organization with so many patriotic, active members throughout Virginia. The NRA supports law enforcement professionals, gun safety education and stands strong for our foundational Second Amendment rights.
I have always been proud to support the natural rights of law-abiding citizens to protect their families and themselves. "In the U.S. Senate I will remain committed to defending our rights enshrined in our Constitution," said George Allen.
Source: Richmond Republican Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 11, 2012
On Education:
Lower student loan rates; freeze tuition rates
George Allen's campaign says that the former senator supports extending lower interest rates for student loans. The campaign also said that Allen supports the federal government playing a part in student loans.
Student loans have quickly become a hot button issue for candidates nationally and here in the Commonwealth. At Saturday's Republican Senate Debate in Roanoke candidates Bob Marshall, E.W. Jackson, and
Jamie Radtke all came out forcefully saying the federal government should be out of the student loan business. "When you have the federal government giving loans it does artificially inflate prices and tuitions for schools,"
Radtke said.
George Allen was quiet on the issue saying only he wants to freeze tuition costs and make college more affordable.
Source: WSLS-10 Roanaoke on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 5, 2012
On Budget & Economy:
No future debt-limit increases until spending is restrained
Allen said the country's economic and fiscal climate is different than it was when he voted for debt limit increases during his Senate term. "The credit-worthiness of America for the first time in our history has been downgraded. The annual deficits are
now over a trillion dollars every single year. When I left the U.S. Senate, the annual deficit was about $160 billion." Allen said he would not support future debt-limit increases unless they come with "concrete ironclad spending restraints."
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
On Homeland Security:
52,000 earmarks, but mostly for defense & security
Radtke said, "It's great to talk about the line-item veto. We could have maybe gotten rid of the 52,000 earmarks that George Allen voted for." Allen said the country's economic and fiscal climate is different than it was when he voted for debt
limit increases during his Senate term. He said after the debate that much of the increased spending he supported from 2001 to 2006 was for important national defense and security purposes, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
On Social Security:
Raise retirement age; more retirement security options
All four GOP candidates said Social Security should be preserved, but outlined different approaches to keeping the trust fund solvent. Allen said he would oppose tax increases, but consider other options, such as increasing the retirement age
for future recipients born after the 1960s. He also said he supports "allowing individuals to have additional options for their retirement security."Marshall and Radtke said they could support a gradual increase in the retirement age.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
On Budget & Economy:
Stimulus spending failed to create promised jobs
Radtke lambasted Allen during the debate for his Senate spending record. "When I left the Senate, the annual deficit was about $160 billion, on the course to getting to a balanced budget," he said afterward. "Talk about how much of spending
is being borrowed, and the estimates are about 33 cents of every dollar is being borrowed. In 2006, it was 5.9 cents--an exponential increase in spending. This stimulus spending was promised to create all these jobs and has not."
Source: Washington Times on 2012 Virginia GOP primary Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Energy independence instead of cap-and-trade
Former Sen. George Allen stuck to a mostly positive message of economic growth, energy independence and individual freedom Allen did not pull punches when criticizing items like Obama's health care overhaul, the cap-and-trade energy proposal supported
by many Democrats, or "Washington liberals."Tea party activist Jamie Radtke lambasted Mr. Allen during the debate for his spending record in the U.S. Senate--as she has done since entering the race.
Source: Washington Times on 2012 Virginia GOP primary Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Use the blessings of our plentiful American energy
George Allen said, "This election is about the freedom to use the blessings of our plentiful American energy resources rather than having the regulators take them off limits."
The Republican primary is June 12th. The nominee will face former Governor Tim Kaine in the general election this November.
Source: WSET-TV Lynchburg on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
On Abortion:
Define that life begins at conception, but contraception ok
bit of Latin, that contraception means it stops conception--and so you do not have a fertilized egg.Moderator: Don't they work by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg?
Allen: Well if the egg is not fertilized, there is not conception.
Kaine explained that the common birth control pill works by a dual mechanism--both preventing fertilization, and preventing successful implantation when fertilization does occur. Also, he added, intra-uterine devices work singly by preventing implantatio
Cruz on immigration: Wants to triple size of Border Patrol. Says Dewhurst supported in-state tuition for kids of illegal immigrants.
Dewhurst:
I have always been against an amnesty program. "If they want to be a citizen, they ought to go home and reapply."
Dewhurst says he was against tuition for children of illegal immigrants.
Source: Eric Kleefeld reporting on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Dec 7, 2011
On Energy & Oil:
We are blessed to be #1 in energy resources: so use them
Cancun in a private jet. The folks who are hurt worst by these energy policies that cause us to pay higher prices for electricity, for gas and for food, are lower and middle-income families who are struggling to make ends meet.
Kaine generally pitched himself as in favor of more energy production, including an "all of the above" approach for alternative energy sources, and criticizing Allen for having opposed incentives for cleaner energies when he was in the Senate.
Kaine generally pitched himself as in favor of more energy production, including an "all of the above" approach for alternative energy sources, and criticizing Allen for having opposed incentives for cleaner energies when he was in the Senate.
Kaine gave a reply to Allen's many invocations of the federal government supposedly stopping energy production: "Do you know we are producing significantly more oil in this country now than when
Source: Eric Kleefeld reporting on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Dec 7, 2011
On Tax Reform:
Freedom-to-choose flat tax: present tax code or flat rate
On one early question about energy development in the state, Allen said, "We are blessed to be Number 1 in the world when it comes to energy resources--Russia's Number 2. But the sanctimonious social engineers up in Washington, they look at our energy
resources as a curse."He further added: "Now the folks who are hurt by this are not the folks who may be at a U.N. climate change conference, flying off to
Source: Eric Kleefeld reporting on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Dec 7, 2011
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018