George Allen visits Michigan

I just got back from the Freedom Works event featuring Senator George Allen of Virginia. Sen. Allen is a potential presidential candidate and spoke to a good crowd for a 5PM event - about 150 or so people. Livingston County was represented well with both Republicans and Concerned Taxpayers' Group members attending the event. We had a table and a half there. I've never heard George Allen speak before, so I had no idea what to expect.

Senator Allen was a personable speaker who did not look at his notes very often. He played football for Virginia, and his dad was the former coach of the Washington Redskins and mentioned what he called the four "F's" which were important to him. Faith, family, freedom, and football. He mentioned how he learned much about life from football, which is something I understand myself. Football teaches teamwork, meritocracy, motivation, preperation, and learning from mistakes. All those can relate to politics as well.

Senator Allen described himself as a "common sense Jeffersonian Conservative." He's a republican for the same reason I am. While no party is 100% in line with my views, of the two parties, the GOP is closest to my views. Allen was a 1976 rebel who supported Reagan over Gerry Ford. He also stated that politics needs to stop at the border during wartime, which I agree with 100% - no matter who is president.

The main issues George Allen mentioned were energy, taxes/spending, and judges.

On energy, he wants to reduce dependency on Saudi Oil. We need to explore for oil and natural gas here to become less dependent on the Middle East. He also supports more research in to biofuels. He said we should learn from the French (Yes, you heard that right) on nuclear energy which is efficent and clean.

On Taxes - he said the tax cuts need to be permanent. He was also one of the 11 senators who voted against the infamous Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska. He opposes taxing the internet, and opposes surrendering control of the internet to the UN or any other organization. He supports the Line Item Veto.

On Judges - he opposed activist judges such as Stephen Reinhardt who rule the pledge of allegiance unconstitutional. He also mentioned the rulings on partial birth abortion, parental notification on abortion, and the Kelo case. He also blasted SCOTUS for basing rulings on "international standards" instead of the US Constitution.

Lastly, one thing for which I give Allen much credit. Most politicians, especially in Congress are on a busy schedule. After Allen's speech, he stayed afterward and was very patient with pictures of the attendants. This was a free event and not a fundraiser, nor was it in Virginia in front of his states' voters. That should be remembered. Senator Allen didn't act like a stereotypical senator as opposed to a John Kerry. That's a good thing.

It was a good speech. Freedom Works put on a good event, and George Allen was a good personable speaker who seemed to relate well to the crowd. We'll keep an eye on him for 2008.