Allen puts on his campaign shoes

Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen was in full campaign form Wednesday, offering
a fiery speech to show his support for House District 20 Del. Dickie Bell while visiting downtown Waynesboro.

"What do we see in Washington? Czars and Russian monarchs on the banks of the Potomac,'' said Allen, mocking the current bureaucracy. "The president is on a bus tour advocating a second stimulus with more government spending and programs."

Allen told a roomful of Bell supporters at the Best Western Inn and Suites that what is really needed is "a reinvigoration of the entrepreneurial spirit of America."

Less government, lower taxes and an exploitation of Virginia and America's energy resources are among the projects Allen would tackle if he is successful in winning a U.S. Senate seat next year.

"Let us in Virginia show America the way,'' Allen said of the untapped energy resources. “If we use our American resources we will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs … we will keep our money in the United States."

Later, the candidate toured a Waynesboro Main Street business, Initial Inspiration, where owner Jennifer Ledford employs three other people doing custom monogramming and selling other gifts.

Ledford said her customers come from as far away as Texas and Washington State.

She is upbeat about the "positive spirit'' she sees in downtown Waynesboro.

Allen spent about half an hour talking to Ledford.

Allen said visiting people is what he likes about politics.

"I like people,'' said Allen, adding that he especially likes talking to small business people. "My goal is to create jobs for the commonwealth.”

Allen's first likely debate is against Democratic frontrunner Timothy Kaine in Richmond in
early December.

He will not appear at a debate of U.S. Senate candidates scheduled tonight in Verona by the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots.

"There will be plenty of debates as we go forward,'' Allen said as he left Waynesboro.

Bell told his supporters at the Best Western he believes the recession will end, and good days are ahead for Virginia.

But like Allen, he doesn't think government can solve the country's or Virginia's problems.

"Liberals only seem to understand a government big enough to take care of people from cradle to grave,’’ he said.