Now that legislative elections are over, the heavyweight 2000 Senate race between Sen. Charles Robb (D) and former Virginia Gov. George Allen (R) will start heating up - and Allen, who is leading in fundraising and the polls, says he wants to lead the Senate into the age of technology.
"I feel very strongly that I can be the technology senator," Allen said yesterday in an interview with The Cavalier Daily.
Leadership on the issue "is the greatest need in the U.S. Senate," he said.
Allen pointed to Virginia's technology-charged economy as an example of what he would like to see happen throughout the nation.
"Virginia is known as the 'Silicon Dominion,'" he said. The "whole country" should benefit from technological enterprise, he added.
Allen also said innovations and outsourcing should be incorporated into the federal government as well.
Robb, a two-term senator, is behind Allen in the polls with 38 percent approval to Allen's 50 percent, according to a Sept. 8 Mason-Dixon poll. He trails Allen in fundraising, $1 million to $2.5 million for June 30th, the Federal Election Commission reports.
Allen said his advantage over Robb stems from his record and his views.
People should be judged by their record, Allen said, and voters "like my record of performance. They like my ideas better than his or his record of performance."
Robb could not be reached for comment.
While the polls now favor Allen, the election is too far away to assume Allen will win, said Craig Bieber, executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party.
"At this point, the polls are not very meaningful," Bieber said.
He said Robb can win by communicating his record to voters and that Robb's record would comfort Virginians, especially now that Republicans rule the state through both the General Assembly and the governor's mansion.
Bieber pointed to Robb's role in the budget debates - how he has voted against Republican attempts to cut spending in health care, social security and education.
Allen also said he is committed to education and credited the University for creating an Internet network.
He said defense spending, scientific investment and protecting social security are top issues at the federal level - and that cutting taxes always is a priority.
"Obviously, I like to cut taxes," he added.
Allen's conservative views partially explain his current lead in the polls, said Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor.
"Robb's voting record on social issues has been liberal, and this is a conservative state," Sabato said.
He said Robb needs to catch up to Allen's fundraising and turn out the African-American vote.
"Those are his two keys to victory," he added.
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