One of the rules I imposed upon myself was not to make any endorsement in the 2012 U.S. Senate race until after Election Day 2011 had passed; by the time that happened, a number of personal matters succeeded in keeping me away from the blogosphere altogether. More importantly, though, I had the chance to see each candidate “in action” before I decided.
Given all of that, I have decided George Allen is the best choice to replace Jim Webb.
My decision was not based on the usual things one would hear from other Allen backers. I believe, for example, that Ms. Radtke has exposed some flaws in Allen’s record (although he has since walked back the most egregious ones, and I appreciate politicians who admit to mistakes) – to the exclusion of anything else a candidate should do. All in all, however, the four candidates are fairly and surprisingly close on domestic policy. I am also hesitant to use the “electability” argument – whatever one thinks of the four Republican candidates, none seem capable of making the mistakes Jerry Kilgore did.
For me, the difference in this nomination battle is foreign policy, which is nonexistent for three of the candidates. That leaves Allen’s record, and it’s a very good one.
During his time in the Senate, George Allen was one of the best anti-Communists in Washington. He co-founded the Senate Taiwan Caucus; he tried to address the ChiComs’ devaluation of their own currency; and he was the only U.S. Senator (as far as I know) to express support for the persecuted and beleaguered Falun Gong spiritual movement. Few if any members of Congress were his equal. None of his opponents have even tried.
This is not an election where foreign policy has been front and center; our enemies will not be so kind as to let us catch our breath. Only Allen has shown any appreciation of that fact.
That is why I have chosen to endorse him for U.S. Senate in 2012.
