Although former governor George Allen (R) leads in a national poll for the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Charles Robb (D) remains confident that his education policy is stronger than his opponent's. A Washington Post survey puts Allen five points ahead of Robb among registered Virginia voters.
Robb held a press conference yesterday at Clark Elementary School proclaiming himself the "education candidate" and promising that public schools will come first if he is re-elected. He repeatedly criticized the Republican plan to issue private-school vouchers, saying he wanted federal funds to go to public schools, not private schools' tuition.
Private-school vouchers use public funds to send children to private institutions as an alternative to public schools.
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"Allen politicized the Education Department," Van Yahres said. He also "tried to gut education" by attempting to cut taxes by cutting education funding.
Allen responded to Robb's remarks when he visited the Republican Committee tent at the Albemarle County Fair yesterday evening. Like Robb, he cited his record as governor to show that he strongly supports education and was not going to cut federal funds to schools.
He fervently denied plans to implement private-school vouchers. Instead, he said he hopes to give parents $1,000 tax credits that can be used toward school supplies, such as computers, or private tutors, but not for tuition. He refused to answer whether he would vote for a private-school voucher bill if it came up in the Senate.
Both candidates pledged they would fight to decrease classroom sizes and increase teachers' salaries.
Allen said he is "very encouraged" by the recent poll numbers, adding that he is grateful for the amount of support he was getting from Virginia voters, "regardless of party."
Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor, said the poll reflects the unique nature of the Senate election. "This is a highly unusual race because it is one of the few where the incumbent is the underdog"
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