Come November, Virginians have a choice between two candidates with starkly different records -- Tim Kaine and George Allen. They'll have the chance to contrast their views this Saturday at the first debate of 2012, but many Virginians are already familiar with their records.
Click here to show much you know about the difference between Tim Kaine and George Allen's records.
On one side, you've got Tim Kaine, who governed Virginia with distinction during the worst economic downturn in generations. On the other, you've got George Allen, who used his term in the Senate to get us into the fiscal mess we're building our way out of. The contrast couldn't be clearer.
How well do you think you know the differences between Governor Kaine and George Allen? Well, now you can find out. We've put together a short quiz -- do you think you can get 100 percent?
Click here to take our quiz now!
Mike Henry
Campaign Manager
Yesterday, Mike asked you to test your knowledge of Tim Kaine and George Allen -- and their respective records -- with a quick quiz. Now it's time for the second round.
If you didn't do so well last time, this is your chance to try again. And if you got all of the questions right, it's time to see if you can maintain your average. Either way, I challenge you to show how much you know.
Which candidate has a record of true fiscal stewardship? Which one puts partisan politics over people? Which one has focused on investing in Virginia priorities like education? It's all in the quiz.
Click here to take the second part of the quiz now!
Mo Elleithee
Kaine for Virginia
Paid for by Kaine For Virginia
Contributions or gifts to
Kaine for Virginia are not tax deductible.7 things to watch for as Allen, Kaine square off in Virginia’s U.S. Senate debate
By Anita Kumar and Ben Pershing
Republican George Allen and Democrat Timothy M. Kaine will face each other Saturday in their first debate following the primaries in Virginia’s marquee 2012 U.S. Senate race.The will debate at the tony Homestead resort near the state line with West Virginia.
For weeks, the two candidates have been preparing for the face-off, which is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association. David Hallock, a top aide for Sen. Mark R. Warner (D), has played Allen in mock debates, while Richmond lobbyist Chris Nolen has been standing in as Kaine.
The race — considered one of a handful of contests that would determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate — pits two former governors against each other. Allen defeated three lesser-known candidates to win his party’s primary last month, while Kaine ran unopposed.
It is the second debate between Allen and Kaine, who have been deadlocked in polls for more than a year in a race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. James Webb (D).
Here’s what to watch for in Saturday’s debate:
1. Differences over health-care ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision may be three weeks old, but it’s certain to remain relevant through November.
Allen has said repeatedly that he wants to be “the deciding vote [in the Senate] to repeal Obamacare,” and he may face more questions now about how he would replace the legislation if it is repealed. Kaine supported the law when it passed and praised the court for its decision.
Now, both candidates could be asked whether Virginia should accept federal funds available under the law to expand eligibility for its Medicaid program.
2. The Obama-Romney effect
Given the importance of Virginia to the presidential race, Allen and Kaine could be asked to weigh in on the issues dominating that contest.
Allen could be queried about GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s tenure with Bain Capital, and about whether Romney should release additional tax returns.
Kaine could face questions about the Obama campaign’s controversial assertion that Romney might have committed a felony by incorrectly filling out some financial forms regarding Bain. And the Democrat could be asked about President Obama’s remarks on whether entrepreneurs build small businesses on their own or with help from the government.
3. ‘Macaca’ alert
Six years after Allen lobbed what some considered a racial slur at an Indian American campaign staffer for his then-Senate campaign opponent, the issue keeps coming back.
Allen has apologized repeatedly for the remark, saying he has learned from the experience. In their first debate, Kaine said he gave Allen credit for apologizing, but he also said the apology had fallen short because it was part of a pattern for Allen and “part of the divisive politics that we’ve got to put behind us in this country.’’
Allen may be asked about the issue again or Kaine may be asked if it matters anymore.
4. Jens Soering’s case
Kaine has been questioned repeatedly about his handling of the case of convicted murderer and former University of Virginia honors student Jens Soering.
Soering, the son of a German diplomat, was convicted in Bedford County of two counts of first-degree murder in the 1985 killings of his girlfriend’s parents in a case that made international headlines.
In one of his last acts as governor, Kaine requested that Soering be allowed to serve time in his native Germany. But in one of his first decisions, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) reversed that decision.
Kaine has said Germany, not Virginia, should pay for Soering’s incarceration. But Republicans have continued to hammer Kaine for failing to explain his reasons for requesting the transfer.
5. Debate packaging
Kaine, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Allen, a former senator, have both had considerable practice with debates and public speeches, though Kaine is considered by some to be the more polished debater. Kaine appeared more relaxed in the first debate while Allen seemed more rattled. In an apparent gaffe, Allen seemed not to understand how birth-control pills work.
Both candidates are looking to be aggressive in their first debate since the general election campaign launched, but also calm and conciliatory. Expect a lot of smiles.
6. Defense cuts
Unless Congress and the White House strike a deal by Jan. 2, the Pentagon — a key economic engine in Virginia — will cut more than $50 billion in spending.
Allen, like many fellow Republicans, has sought to blame the impending cuts on Democrats, imploring them to help approve legislation that would stop the cuts. A majority of Republicans in Congress, and in the Virginia delegation, had voted for the deal that could lead to the cuts.
Kaine has said he wants to “keep pressure on Congress to do their job” by striking a broader spending agreement, rather than just protecting against cuts in defense. If spending cuts happen, he wants the Pentagon to decide how to implement them.
7. Expiring tax cuts
Allen and Kaine will probably be queried about the looming expiration of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts, a subject on which they disagree.
Kaine differs somewhat with Obama on this topic. While the president has called for allowing the cuts to expire on all income above $250,000 per year, Kaine wants to move the bar higher, to $500,000. But both generally agree that tax rates on the wealthiest Americans should go up to help reduce the budget deficit.
Allen, like most Republicans, believes that all the tax cuts — which he supported when he served in the Senate — should be extended, arguing that any increases could hurt a still-recovering economy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/7-things-to-watch-for-as-allen-kaine-square-off-in-virginias-us-senate-debate/2012/07/19/gJQAnjTywW_print.html
I feel as if though this economy is never going to fix it self, and then when government officials hear that, they sadly start throwing money around wherever they feel like it or wherever is screaming the most, and then those not receiving will begin crying. The U.S. is just one big baby. We're never going to get out of debt because the money isn't physically there, its gone, its spent, and it never was there. Thats why its debt. I blame war. Quality stuff Craig, quality stuff.
ReplyDelete-Carlos Hernandez
Tree Service Queens
I agree with a lot of what you say Carlos, especially about war. If you want more information about what war cost us as a nation go to costofwar.com and if you want to read a great book about what constant war has done to our nation check out Rachel Maddow's book DRIFT, it is a really good read. Pray for peace, and consider volunteering for Pres Obama's campaign. Peace to you.
ReplyDelete