Allen Gets Warm Reception from VFW

Richmond Times Dispatch
By Tyler Whitley

Sen. George Allen’s backing of the Iraq war and his attention to bread-and-butter military issues appear to have won him the favor of a key veterans group.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars greeted the Republican warmly at its state convention here yesterday as he defended the increasingly unpopular war.

Several veterans said the fact that Allen’s Democratic opponent, James H. Webb Jr., is a decorated combat veteran who was wounded in Vietnam would not change their support of Allen, who never served in the military.

Webb received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. He carries shrapnel from a grenade attack.

Allen voted for the resolution authorizing the invasion of Iraq. Webb was a critic of the prospective war before the invasion.

“I don’t think we should come out with our heads hanging down,” said Clyde Embrey of Woodbridge, a Navy veteran of the Korean War.

“He will always be my governor,” said Jim Spiker of Dale City, a Marine sergeant in Vietnam. “He has been good for the state.”

Allen was governor from 1994 to 1998.

In the Senate this year, Allen secured legislation that increased the death benefit for families of veterans killed in action from $12,000 to $100,000. He also inserted into the budget language that would allow the first veterans cemetery in Southwest Virginia, near Radford.

Not everyone was pleased with Allen.

“I’m going to support Webb,” Joseph Spence of Pittsylvania County said. “The war in Iraq was not properly executed.”

In brief remarks to the VFW convention at the Sheraton Richmond West, Allen said Democrats “are supporting a strategic plan of retreat,” while the Bush administration has “a strategic plan for success.” He added that success will not be easy.

He said it is imperative that Baghdad be secured.

In a teleconference call with reporters yesterday, Webb said voter frustration with Republican support of the Iraq war will help Democrats win the election.

The Associated Press reported that Webb called for a swift departure from Iraq, but would not give a timetable.

In addition to seeking re-election to the Senate, Allen is eyeing the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

He will fly to Des Moines, Iowa, today to address the Republican state convention and to raise money for his campaign. Iowa is the first state to participate in the presidential nominating process.

Allen visited Iowa earlier this year.

Democrats criticized the trip.

“He should cancel his trip to Iowa and spend the weekend in Virginia for a change,” Karl Frisch, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said.

Allen said he committed to the trip months ago. His focus will be on re-election this year, he said, although he will not halt his out-of-state travels. Many of those trips are to raise money for the Senate campaign, he said.

Money left over from the campaign could be used in the presidential race.

Allen plans to go to New Orleans Friday to survey the damage from Hurricane Katrina.

Allen’s presidential ambitions did not appear to hurt him among the veterans.

“He needs to run in 2008 for president. I hope he wins,” said John W. Brown of Harrisonburg.

“I’m a great fan of the senator,” said Embrey. “I hope he runs for president.”

July 17, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions 

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