Virginia Politics Podcast 118: George Allen’s “Blueprint for America’s Comeback”
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 | Podcasts, Policy, Politics
George Allen, the former governor and U.S. Senator who is vying for the GOP nomination in Virginia for U.S. Senate, released his “Blueprint for America’s Comeback” – the policy centerpiece of his campaign – in Richmond today.
Calling it a “Pro-Growth Plan of Action for Jobs, Competitiveness, Freedom and Opportunity for Virginia”, the plan itself focuses on three major points: “Making America Competitive for Job Creators,” “Unleashing America’s Plentiful Energy Resources and Creativity,” and “Reining in the Over-Reaching, Over-Spending Federal Government.”
Allen joined me for an exclusive interview to explain the plan, but he also addressed in greater detail his ideas for maitaining Medicare’s solvency, how Virginia can actually lead on offshore energy development and share in revenues with the Federal government, and answered his critics by justifying his Senate votes to raise the debt ceiling, while also explaining how he would approach the current debate in Congress.
118: George Allen on his "Blueprint for America's Comeback" [ 27:37 ] Play in Popup | DownloadRead Allen’s “Blueprint for America’s Comeback“
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Intro by Rick Jensen.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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18 Responses to "Virginia Politics Podcast 118: George Allen’s “Blueprint for America’s Comeback”"
Allen’s “Blueprint for America’s Comeback“ pretty much seals the deal for me. I was unlikely to have voted for him anyway (while remembering why he didn’t get my vote last time) but the tax proposals contained in the Blueprint offered me a quick refresher course. He is still trying to destroy the American Way.
Little David please explain to me how you think Tim Kaine would be a better senator ? Tim Kaine was one of the worst Governors Virginia has ever had.
Red Baron,
I am not on the Tim Kaine campaign committee so I guess I can not do that. I can only point to the aspects of George Allen’s own campaign that causes me to heave.
I am fairly confident that Tim Kaine will not come out against a progressive tax system while George Allen has. Am I a one issue voter? No. But this one issue that is very important to me in sizing up a candidates worthiness. Is the candidate so willing to sell out that they are willing to attempt to destroy the American Way?
Gag me before I vomit. You people are going to vote for this phony again.
This is not in response to Turbo’s comment because I don’t want him to think that this is why I’m about to post these responses. In fact, it is because of his comment that I almost decided not to. But because I believe in transparency and telling the whole story, I will. However, Turbo is exactly why people like Jamie Radtke aren’t taken more seriously.
From the Radtke campaign:
While Radtke attempts to paint herself as the Allen alternative, it is clear that Democrats see him as their opponent. Not only do that have at least two trackers assigned to him, Tim Kaine’s campaign took the time to respond to today’s announcement:
It’s clear Allen is the leader – everyone wants to take a piece of him.
It was refreshing as a tea party patriot to hear concepts that are the tea party in totality. More than that, Senator Allen clearly has the background and knowledge to not only lead Virginia but lead American…I am with you Sir.
Do not, I repeat, do not research Allens voting record. It is better if you did not look. As I said above, you people have already made up your mind about this west coast carpetbagger.
JR, How would Allen have voted on the Ethanol subsidies that passed again today?
Normally corn is fed to hog so we can eat the pork..
JR, I don’t think anyone disputes that George Allen is the front runner. Jamie Radtke and her campaign have until the primary to change that standing.
George Allen is an easy target. There is so much to fault him on. Given that and his front runner current status, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Democrats are already harping on obvious opening for criticism. This isn’t even the “tip of the iceberg”.
I have voted for Allen before and I will vote for him next year. Even gave his reelection campaign a small contribution. I figure Senator Allen will win 54-46.
Really, James? Those are pretty good numbers. Well, great numbers for a guy that was fired by Virginians, has a record of not being a fiscal conservative in the Senate (potentially causing people to “stay home”), and a multitude of gaffes and “and PR nightmares that the Democrats will call him on. They already painted him as a wishy washy hypocrite with their “cushy seats” video.
I think a lot of people want to stick with him out of loyalty and have a mental block preventing them from seeing how vulnerable he is and just how poor his senate record was. Virginia needs better than to take a chance that Allen MIGHT do a better job than he did last time.
Since I can not walk across the James River, I do not seek perfection in others.
In 17 months we will know the answers to all your concerns with a 100% degree of confidence. I am willing to be patient for 17 months. I am making a guess on Senator Allen. 6 weeks ago I made a guess to sell about 80% of my stocks. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
“I do not seek perfection in others” – James Hawkins
Neither do I, my choice is Jamie Radtke and I hardly see her as perfect. She’s a bit too socially conservative. Let’s be honest with the fact that accepting “less than perfect” can be an extremely broad concept. Obama is less than perfect, so since you can’t find perfection in yourself, you’ll vote for Obama? ……didn’t think so.
To me less than perfect doesn’t have to include all the mistakes and past poor performance as a former senator that was replaced in Virginia by a Democrat.
I think Jamie Radtke is a great person but do not believe she can win the senate race next year. I think Senator George Allen can win. For me, its that simple. So for the rest of 2011, I will stay out of this.
Is there a relationship between sunspots and global climate change?
Is there a relationship between Coronal Mass Ejections and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
I find those questions much more interesting.
Peace.
Re-read the ‘blueprint’.. uh.. Seems Allen was for himself before I was against himself. So Allen has had some kind of come to jesus meeting and reformed himself?
This is a setup for his opponents.. don’t take the bait.
The whole story is … George Allen still plays fast and loose with the truth. His ‘blueprint’ is backed up by cherry picked, outdated, and/or taken out of context studies and quotes. One example on page 7:
Virginia’s offshore resources could create up to 2,578 jobs on an annual basis, increase capital investments by $7.84 billion, create $644 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in $271 million in state and local revenue. Allen’s source: Dr. James Koch’s “Analysis of Onshore …in Virginia” [ODU, 2005].
Unfortunately, economist and former ODU president Dr. James Koch isn’t standing behind Allen OR his analysis – and has said so, repeatedly and publicly, over the last few years:
“My estimates were not a definitive study. That’s why I never published it and don’t include it in the list of studies I’ve completed. A lot more work needs to be done to produce a real study. It will need to take into account numerous other factors, including environmental costs. You may quote me on this.” ~ Dr. James Koch in conversation with Del. Joe Bouchard, September 29, 2009
“Study author James Koch, a former Old Dominion University president, has said the analysis was quickly compiled and that a more detailed examination of available data may be needed.” ~ Virginian-Pilot, December 30, 2009
“I did not have time to parse Virginia’s situation in detail, I examined the experiences of Louisiana and a Canadian province” and extrapolated. The figures “were very rough estimates” and the topic would benefit from a detailed, thorough study.” ~ Dr. James Koch as quoted in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, December 30, 2009
George Allen gets no help from me this go-around. Done putting liars in office, regardless of party affiliation.
I’m perplexed by the support Virginia Republicans seem to have for George Allen, vexed even.
I was surprised that I could agree with some of Allen’s proposals, but in sum, I can’t trust this man who was in office when the country embarked on the path that has created the fiscal mess we are in. Allen helped create policies involving fighting two wars, cutting tax rates, and buying a drug plan for seniors with no way to pay for it, all of which were paid for with debt.
Regretfully, he reveals that he has not learned his lesson. He once again essentially proposes vodoo economics that not only did not work, but which contained the seeds of our fiscal duress. If he were courageous enough to support elimination of tax credits, thereby painting a target for Supreme Leader Norquist to attack, I would at least admire the man. But he didn’t, and he is just another sheep in Norquist’s flock.
His emphasis on cuts without increasing revenue through elimination of tax credits would push us into another recession just like that which has occured in Great Britain. We don’t need that, and we don’t need an over the hill cowboy back in office either.
Must a been the same cowboy who drove the message home..
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14275335&postcount=28289
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