Allen courts square
Allen a self-described 'common sense Jeffersonian Republican'
By Dominic Desmond, news editor
Posted on April 13, 2006

The Rockingham County Courthouse’s bell rang at 11 a.m. on Wednesday as usual. What was unusual was the presence of Virginia Sen. George Allen, who officially declared his candidacy for re-election for this year’s senatorial race.

“The bell tolls for our urgency,” Allen said as the clock rung throughout downtown Harrisonburg.

He called himself a “common-sense Jeffersonian Republican.”

To illustrate this, the senator is on a statewide tour, pushing a series of platform points that he calls “missions.” One point he stressed was the importance of an effective immigration policy.

“A border does not just secure our freedom,” he said. “It secures our destiny.”

Allen continued by say the United States is a nation of immigrants, but is also a nation of laws.

“We should not encourage illegal actions with amnesty.”

Allen also said restoring values comes from reforming the judicial branch. He said he supported a federal marriage amendment to the Constitution that would define marriage as between men and women.

In addition, he warned courts that have amended the Bill of Rights by judicial decree.

“Courts must apply the law, not invent the law,” Allen said. “They must not legislate.”

Energy dependence was another talking point of the senator. He urged Virginia to pursue clean coal and nuclear power options instead of increase reliance on foreign fuel.

“We need more energy for America,” Allen said. “That doesn’t come from a mullah.”

The senator also focused on education reform. He has supported legislation to provide more tuition assistance for men and women in the armed services. Allen encouraged more young people to become more interested in science and engineering.

But, some members of the  JMU College Republicans don’t necessarily believe that Allen and former Democratic Governor Mark Warner will dominate the 2008 presidential campaign. Sophomore political science major Jarrett Ray thinks it would be good for young political science majors though.

“We’d all be fat and happy with jobs,” he said. Ray does think Allen will run in the primaries.

Ray even said Allen is stepping away from President Bush’s trail. Ray said Bush exemplifies neo-Reaganite big government, while Allen stands for small government.

“He’s almost libertarian in that instance.”

Fellow group members Ashley Bertoni and Maria Fort think Allen’s re-election campaign in Virginia won’t be without its challenges, but they say Allen is popular nonetheless.

U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R), representing Virginia’s 6th district, said the Republican’s ability to hold Washington rests on the party’s accomplishments. “We want to tell people our story,” he said.

“We are only limited by our imaginations and our hard work,” Allen said in closing. “Keep smiling, we’re going to stand strong for freedom.”