George Allen says he likes being with people and listening.
If you believe Allen, his marathon quest for a return to the U.S. Senate is only beginning. The campaigning won’t end for another 18 months should he be successful in garnering the Republican nomination.
“I like hearing from the people of Virginia. I get ideas and specifics,” he said on Monday after a noontime speech at Rowe’s Restaurant and a stop at several Beverley Street businesses in downtown Staunton.
Allen used his standard conservative message to Staunton Republicans at Rowe’s.
He promised to work for a leaner federal government if elected, and to create more jobs and tap into the country’s energy resources.
“We are number one in the world in energy resources with our plentiful coal and natural gas. But the sanctimonious social engineers see it as a curse,” he said.
As for job creation, Allen said that attracting investment and new jobs hinges on the cost of doing business here as well as the training of the workforce.
“What has been happening across the country is the movement has been to the South and mountain west because of lower taxes, more affordable energy costs and the right to work,” he said.
Allen said it is vital that federal spending be reduced.
As he started his talk on Monday, Allen put aside partisan interests and talked of the killing of Osama bin Laden.
“It is perfect to be here on a day of celebration. It is a good day when freedom and justice has prevailed,” he said.
The packed meeting room at Rowe’s heartened Staunton Republican Committee Chairman Alex Davis.
“I was so happy we were able to bring out that many people,” he said.
Afterward, Allen spent more than an hour visiting Beverley Street businesses where he ate roasted almond ice cream and bought items for his family.
Turtle Lane Owner Rebecca Watson told Allen that a large number of her customers are tourists and said she sells the work of local craftsmen.
“There is so much talent here and it is important to support the local economy,” Watson said.
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