Senate Candidates Take On Domestic Issues; Debate Is Only One Planned in N.Va.

Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger JamesWebb turned to domestic issues yesterday as they sparred during adebate in Northern Virginia over health care, the economy,transportation and stem cell research.

At their second meeting in two days, Allen urged voters to returnhim to the Senate because he's a familiar face ("you know me") witha record of service. Webb, a former Marine and secretary of the Navywho has never run for office, countered that the country is"breaking apart" and needs fresh blood in Washington.

More than 600 people jammed a hotel ballroom in Tysons Corner forthe hour-long debate, the only time Allen and Webb are scheduled tosquare off in Northern Virginia before the Nov. 7 election. Theevent, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, wasmoderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News and televised byNewsChannel 8 and C-SPAN.

The debate -- as well as one Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" -- brought a new intensity to the Virginia campaign, but politicalobservers said neither event was likely to alter a close race.

"I don't think we saw any changed dynamics," Rep. Thomas M. DavisIII (R-Va.) said. "But seven weeks is an eternity in politics."

At times the candidates' responses got heated. One of thejournalists who asked questions forced Allen to defend his mother,while Webb again was dogged by charges that he is insensitive towomen in the military. The candidates also argued over how best tofight the war in Iraq and whether the United States should involveIran in Iraq's future.

Allen sought to convince the audience that the Iraq war is onlypart of the race. "My friends, this is not a one-issue campaign,"said Allen, a former governor and state legislator. "There are manyissues important for the security, safety and prosperity of thiscountry."

Anger about the war has turned the race into one of the mostclosely watched in the nation. But yesterday's matchup also gave thecandidates an opportunity to talk about local and domestic issuesthat are often deciding factors for voters.

"We are breaking apart in a way we have never had before," Webbsaid. "The people at the top of society have never had it so good. .. . The middle class, with the rising cost of health care andstagnation of income levels, is in great danger right now."

Allen discussed his plans for health savings accounts, supportfor small businesses and efforts to invest in technology. He oftenstressed the contrast in experience, portraying himself as "somebody[who] has the concrete, verifiable record for performance withactual plans on ideas that can actually, tangibly have an impact onpeople's lives."

Webb criticized Allen for voting against minimum-wage increasesand said the Republican-controlled Congress has failed to providehealth insurance to an estimated 46 million Americans.

Allen said he supports legislation that makes it easier for smallbusinesses to band together to buy health care for their employees.Webb countered that Allen's solution is insufficient, saying thefederal government should move toward a system in which health careis expanded to everyone.

Turning to stem cell research, Allen defended his vote this yearto oppose federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, sayinghe can't support a procedure that destroys a human embryo. Webb saidhe supports federal funding because he doesn't believe an embryo isa human life.

Although many in the audience of business leaders support higherstate taxes for transportation improvements, neither candidate waswilling to wade into that thorny issue. The Virginia GeneralAssembly will take up transportation spending next week.

Allen and Webb said the state should make it easier for privatecompanies to build and maintain for-profit roads. But severalaudience members said they wished Allen and Webb had talked moreabout solutions to the region's traffic woes.

"That, to me, is the issue in Northern Virginia," said state Del.Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax), who has proposed tax increases to payfor road and transit fixes.

Both candidates said they support federal legislation to allowgun owners to carry weapons between states. Webb, who is trying toreach out to Republican-leaning rural voters, noted that he has apermit to carry a concealed weapon.

The candidates had several sharp exchanges, such as on their tiesto southwest Virginia, an area that sometimes has been key toDemocratic wins.

"I've been coming to southwest Virginia since George Allen was aCalifornian," said Webb, who has relatives in that area. Allen shotback that he started his law career in the region. "For me, it's aplace in my heart, not a place on a map."

Allen hammered Webb for saying Sunday that solving hostilities inthe Middle East would require the help of neighboring countries,including Iran and Syria. Allen said involving Iran, which sponsorsterrorism, in Iraq's future "wouldn't make Iraq more secure, norwould it make Americans more secure."

Webb responded by noting that the United States has a longhistory of talking to its enemies, including China and Russia duringthe Cold War.

Both candidates were forced to address character issues that havedistracted their campaigns. Webb gave his most direct apology yetfor a 1979 magazine article opposing women in combat that some womensaid was offensive.

Allen couldn't escape additional questions about his calling ayoung Webb aide of Indian descent "macaca," a slur in some cultures,including France. A panelist asked Allen, who says the word was madeup, if he might have learned "macaca" from his mother, who is partFrench Tunisian. The panelist also asked whether his mother wasJewish.

"I hope you are not bringing my mother into this," Allen said.

Senate Candidates Take On Domestic Issues; Debate Is Only One Planned in N.Va.

Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger JamesWebb turned to domestic issues yesterday as they sparred during adebate in Northern Virginia over health care, the economy,transportation and stem cell research.

At their second meeting in two days, Allen urged voters to returnhim to the Senate because he's a familiar face ("you know me") witha record of service. Webb, a former Marine and secretary of the Navywho has never run for office, countered that the country is"breaking apart" and needs fresh blood in Washington.

More than 600 people jammed a hotel ballroom in Tysons Corner forthe hour-long debate, the only time Allen and Webb are scheduled tosquare off in Northern Virginia before the Nov. 7 election. Theevent, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, wasmoderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News and televised byNewsChannel 8 and C-SPAN.

The debate -- as well as one Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" -- brought a new intensity to the Virginia campaign, but politicalobservers said neither event was likely to alter a close race.

"I don't think we saw any changed dynamics," Rep. Thomas M. DavisIII (R-Va.) said. "But seven weeks is an eternity in politics."

At times the candidates' responses got heated. One of thejournalists who asked questions forced Allen to defend his mother,while Webb again was dogged by charges that he is insensitive towomen in the military. The candidates also argued over how best tofight the war in Iraq and whether the United States should involveIran in Iraq's future.

Allen sought to convince the audience that the Iraq war is onlypart of the race. "My friends, this is not a one-issue campaign,"said Allen, a former governor and state legislator. "There are manyissues important for the security, safety and prosperity of thiscountry."

Anger about the war has turned the race into one of the mostclosely watched in the nation. But yesterday's matchup also gave thecandidates an opportunity to talk about local and domestic issuesthat are often deciding factors for voters.

"We are breaking apart in a way we have never had before," Webbsaid. "The people at the top of society have never had it so good. .. . The middle class, with the rising cost of health care andstagnation of income levels, is in great danger right now."

Allen discussed his plans for health savings accounts, supportfor small businesses and efforts to invest in technology. He oftenstressed the contrast in experience, portraying himself as "somebody[who] has the concrete, verifiable record for performance withactual plans on ideas that can actually, tangibly have an impact onpeople's lives."

Webb criticized Allen for voting against minimum-wage increasesand said the Republican-controlled Congress has failed to providehealth insurance to an estimated 46 million Americans.

Allen said he supports legislation that makes it easier for smallbusinesses to band together to buy health care for their employees.Webb countered that Allen's solution is insufficient, saying thefederal government should move toward a system in which health careis expanded to everyone.

Turning to stem cell research, Allen defended his vote this yearto oppose federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, sayinghe can't support a procedure that destroys a human embryo. Webb saidhe supports federal funding because he doesn't believe an embryo isa human life.

Although many in the audience of business leaders support higherstate taxes for transportation improvements, neither candidate waswilling to wade into that thorny issue. The Virginia GeneralAssembly will take up transportation spending next week.

Allen and Webb said the state should make it easier for privatecompanies to build and maintain for-profit roads. But severalaudience members said they wished Allen and Webb had talked moreabout solutions to the region's traffic woes.

"That, to me, is the issue in Northern Virginia," said state Del.Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax), who has proposed tax increases to payfor road and transit fixes.

Both candidates said they support federal legislation to allowgun owners to carry weapons between states. Webb, who is trying toreach out to Republican-leaning rural voters, noted that he has apermit to carry a concealed weapon.

The candidates had several sharp exchanges, such as on their tiesto southwest Virginia, an area that sometimes has been key toDemocratic wins.

"I've been coming to southwest Virginia since George Allen was aCalifornian," said Webb, who has relatives in that area. Allen shotback that he started his law career in the region. "For me, it's aplace in my heart, not a place on a map."

Allen hammered Webb for saying Sunday that solving hostilities inthe Middle East would require the help of neighboring countries,including Iran and Syria. Allen said involving Iran, which sponsorsterrorism, in Iraq's future "wouldn't make Iraq more secure, norwould it make Americans more secure."

Webb responded by noting that the United States has a longhistory of talking to its enemies, including China and Russia duringthe Cold War.

Both candidates were forced to address character issues that havedistracted their campaigns. Webb gave his most direct apology yetfor a 1979 magazine article opposing women in combat that some womensaid was offensive.

Allen couldn't escape additional questions about his calling ayoung Webb aide of Indian descent "macaca," a slur in some cultures,including France. A panelist asked Allen, who says the word was madeup, if he might have learned "macaca" from his mother, who is partFrench Tunisian. The panelist also asked whether his mother wasJewish.

"I hope you are not bringing my mother into this," Allen said.

Senate Candidates Take On Domestic Issues; Debate Is Only One Planned in N.Va.

Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger JamesWebb turned to domestic issues yesterday as they sparred during adebate in Northern Virginia over health care, the economy,transportation and stem cell research.

At their second meeting in two days, Allen urged voters to returnhim to the Senate because he's a familiar face ("you know me") witha record of service. Webb, a former Marine and secretary of the Navywho has never run for office, countered that the country is"breaking apart" and needs fresh blood in Washington.

More than 600 people jammed a hotel ballroom in Tysons Corner forthe hour-long debate, the only time Allen and Webb are scheduled tosquare off in Northern Virginia before the Nov. 7 election. Theevent, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, wasmoderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News and televised byNewsChannel 8 and C-SPAN.

The debate -- as well as one Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" -- brought a new intensity to the Virginia campaign, but politicalobservers said neither event was likely to alter a close race.

"I don't think we saw any changed dynamics," Rep. Thomas M. DavisIII (R-Va.) said. "But seven weeks is an eternity in politics."

At times the candidates' responses got heated. One of thejournalists who asked questions forced Allen to defend his mother,while Webb again was dogged by charges that he is insensitive towomen in the military. The candidates also argued over how best tofight the war in Iraq and whether the United States should involveIran in Iraq's future.

Allen sought to convince the audience that the Iraq war is onlypart of the race. "My friends, this is not a one-issue campaign,"said Allen, a former governor and state legislator. "There are manyissues important for the security, safety and prosperity of thiscountry."

Anger about the war has turned the race into one of the mostclosely watched in the nation. But yesterday's matchup also gave thecandidates an opportunity to talk about local and domestic issuesthat are often deciding factors for voters.

"We are breaking apart in a way we have never had before," Webbsaid. "The people at the top of society have never had it so good. .. . The middle class, with the rising cost of health care andstagnation of income levels, is in great danger right now."

Allen discussed his plans for health savings accounts, supportfor small businesses and efforts to invest in technology. He oftenstressed the contrast in experience, portraying himself as "somebody[who] has the concrete, verifiable record for performance withactual plans on ideas that can actually, tangibly have an impact onpeople's lives."

Webb criticized Allen for voting against minimum-wage increasesand said the Republican-controlled Congress has failed to providehealth insurance to an estimated 46 million Americans.

Allen said he supports legislation that makes it easier for smallbusinesses to band together to buy health care for their employees.Webb countered that Allen's solution is insufficient, saying thefederal government should move toward a system in which health careis expanded to everyone.

Turning to stem cell research, Allen defended his vote this yearto oppose federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, sayinghe can't support a procedure that destroys a human embryo. Webb saidhe supports federal funding because he doesn't believe an embryo isa human life.

Although many in the audience of business leaders support higherstate taxes for transportation improvements, neither candidate waswilling to wade into that thorny issue. The Virginia GeneralAssembly will take up transportation spending next week.

Allen and Webb said the state should make it easier for privatecompanies to build and maintain for-profit roads. But severalaudience members said they wished Allen and Webb had talked moreabout solutions to the region's traffic woes.

"That, to me, is the issue in Northern Virginia," said state Del.Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax), who has proposed tax increases to payfor road and transit fixes.

Both candidates said they support federal legislation to allowgun owners to carry weapons between states. Webb, who is trying toreach out to Republican-leaning rural voters, noted that he has apermit to carry a concealed weapon.

The candidates had several sharp exchanges, such as on their tiesto southwest Virginia, an area that sometimes has been key toDemocratic wins.

"I've been coming to southwest Virginia since George Allen was aCalifornian," said Webb, who has relatives in that area. Allen shotback that he started his law career in the region. "For me, it's aplace in my heart, not a place on a map."

Allen hammered Webb for saying Sunday that solving hostilities inthe Middle East would require the help of neighboring countries,including Iran and Syria. Allen said involving Iran, which sponsorsterrorism, in Iraq's future "wouldn't make Iraq more secure, norwould it make Americans more secure."

Webb responded by noting that the United States has a longhistory of talking to its enemies, including China and Russia duringthe Cold War.

Both candidates were forced to address character issues that havedistracted their campaigns. Webb gave his most direct apology yetfor a 1979 magazine article opposing women in combat that some womensaid was offensive.

Allen couldn't escape additional questions about his calling ayoung Webb aide of Indian descent "macaca," a slur in some cultures,including France. A panelist asked Allen, who says the word was madeup, if he might have learned "macaca" from his mother, who is partFrench Tunisian. The panelist also asked whether his mother wasJewish.

"I hope you are not bringing my mother into this," Allen said.