Politics

George Allen discusses the upcoming midterm elections and his political future

Monique Hamm Contributor
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After serving Virginia as a U.S. senator, governor, congressman, and state delegate, Republican George Allen has racked up considerable political experience. Despite losing his Senate seat to Democrat Jim Webb in 2006, the UVA alum has remained busy and maintains an active website informing readers of his activities, endorsements, and fund raising events. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Caller, Allen provided his take on the upcoming midterm elections and his own political future.

Though former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich is often credited for leading the 1994 Republican Revolution that took back the House for Republicans, Allen said the Republican governors elected to office in 1993 made significant contributions to the GOP takeover as well.  “[Former Republican Governor] Christine Todd Whitman and I won in New Jersey and Virginia respectively,” he said. “We won those and we kept our promises on making the government less burdensome and bringing more jobs to Virginia.”

He continued, “Once you got to the ’94 elections, you had those wins in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City, Newt Gingrich put together his ‘Contract with America’ which I think was very effective in [connecting with] people’s disconsolation with the way Washington was operating.”

Now, with his eyes set on the November midterm elections, Allen predicts that current Republican Governors Chris Christie in New Jersey and Bob McDonnell in Virginia will play a similarly valuable role for Republicans in the 2010 races. “The way I think they play a part in this election, Governors Christie and McDonnell, are as good examples of fiscal discipline,” Allen stated. “Each campaign throughout the country is going to see similar disdain for the overreaching reckless spending, dangerous debt, counter-productive energy policies that are emanating from a disconnected Washington.”

Although he currently does not hold public office, Allen spends his time headlining events throughout Virginia and assisting Republican hopefuls with their campaigns, including Virginia Republican congressional candidates Keith Fimian and Scott Rigell. “I want to try and help all these folks out. Looking at most of these contests in Virginia, I think that we have at least four, if not more, congressional seats that are going to be close,” Allen explained.  “I don’t want to say which ones are in better shape than others, I will leave that to the political scientists to do their punditry. “

When asked about a potential return to elective office, Allen first emphasized that his energy was focused on the upcoming elections, which he sees as crucial in determining America’s future. “This year I am focused on the elections of 2010. I do think that the elections of 2010 and 2012 are going to determine the trajectory of the country,” he said. “Either we’re going to be aspiring and improving opportunities based on freedom and responsibility or we’re going to go down the path that dictates and mandates a dependency on government. So I think the elections this year matter and 2012 will as well.”
Finally getting around to answering the question about his possible future political ambitions, Allen suggested that we may not have seen the last of him yet in elective politics.

“As far as a future in running, my answer is perhaps,” he said.