Debate: George Allen calls out Kaine on defense cuts, siding with Washington

In case you missed it, George Allen and Tim Kaine participated in a U.S. Senate candidate debate yesterday hosted by the Virginia Bar Association, contrasting their very different records of leadership and vision for Virginia. George Allen pressed Tim Kaine on his support for the Washington deal leading to $500 Billion in defense cuts, which would harm our military, place 200,000 Virginia jobs at risk and hurt Virginia families. George Allen also outlined Tim Kaine’s record of being a “reflexive” tax raiser and spending much of his last year as Governor traveling across the country, giving speeches and raising money while closing down rest stops, trying to raise taxes by $2 billion and allowing college tuition costs to skyrocket.  

Here’s what they are saying. . .

Allen Took Kaine To Task For Supporting Deal That Could Put More Than 200,000 Virginian Jobs At Risk Due To “Draconian” Defense Cuts.

Kaine calls it “the right thing to do.”

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “For his part, Allen spent considerable time attacking Kaine for his support of last year’s debt reduction deal, which has left the U.S. facing the possibility of steep defense spending cuts at the end of this year that could cost Virginia more than 200,000 jobs.”  (Wesley P. Hester, “Allen, Kaine Trade Blows On Host Of Issues At Debate,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/21/12)

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “‘The deal was the right thing to do,’ Kaine said…”  (Wesley P. Hester, “Allen, Kaine Trade Blows On Host Of Issues At Debate,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/21/12)

The Associated Press: “National defense could suffer $500 billion in cuts, and Virginia, home to the Pentagon and the world's largest Navy base in Norfolk, would suffer more than 200,000 job losses, Allen said.”  (“Senate Debate: A Partisan Fight Over Partisanship,” The Associated Press, 7/21/12)

The Associated Press: “‘The result? Disproportionate defense cuts that would be disproportionate to Virginia's economy and our military,’ he said, pressing Kaine to defend the compromise…”  (“Senate Debate: A Partisan Fight Over Partisanship,” The Associated Press, 7/21/12)

The Washington Times: “Mr. Allen tried to pin $500 million in looming defense cuts on Mr. Kaine, who supported $1 trillion in cuts approved by Congress last year, with more to kick in automatically — half from defense programs — if Congress fails to act before Jan. 1. Virginia, home to many military contractors and bases, could lose more than 200,000 jobs if the impasse is not broken and the automatic cuts take effect.”  (David Sherfinski, “Sharp Exchanges Punctuate First Allen-Kaine Debate In Va.,” The Washington Times, 7/21/12)

The Washington Times: “‘I could never envision myself voting for something that could be so potentially harmful to Virginians,’ Mr. Allen said. ‘We need to be putting Virginians first, as far as I’m concerned, and national defense should never be used as a bargaining tool to raise taxes.’”  (David Sherfinski, “Sharp Exchanges Punctuate First Allen-Kaine Debate In Va.,” The Washington Times, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “Allen blasted Kaine for supporting last year’s deal in Congress over the debt ceiling, which included billions in mandatory cuts – including defense cuts – over the next 10 years if federal lawmakers don’t agree on how to make cuts themselves. That deal, also called ‘sequestration,’ is getting renewed attention in Washington because the cuts would start kicking in in January — and no deal for alternative cuts appears forthcoming in Congress.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “Kaine supported the sequestration deal, while Allen opposed it, saying Saturday that the defense spending cuts in the deal would be ‘devastating’ for Virginia.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “‘The deal had no spending caps, there was no balanced budget amendment, no line item veto authority, nothing,’ Allen said, adding that he never would support legislation that makes such harsh cuts to national defense.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “[Allen] called it a ‘failed deal’ and repeatedly tied it to Kaine.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

News Virginian: “Allen said Kaine has repeatedly supported Obama initiatives such as federal health care, and said he has supported the deficit-cutting sequestration that could cut 200,000 military jobs from Virginia.”  (“Kaine, Allen Go On The Attack In Homestead Debate,” News Virginian, 7/22/12)

Washington Examiner: “Allen targeted Kaine's support for a budget deal that could slash defense spending by $600 billion -- a potentially devastating blow to Virginia's Pentagon-reliant economy.”  (Steve Contorno, “Kaine, Allen Spar In First Virginia Senate Debate,” Washington Examiner, 7/21/12)

National Journal’s Hotline On Call: “Allen hit Kaine for supporting the debt ceiling deal that could lead to defense cuts, a major issue in military-heavy Virginia.”  (Dan Roem, “Kaine, Allen Spar At Second Virginia Senate Debate,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call, 7/21/12)

Allen Paints Kaine As A “Reflexive” Tax Raiser, Tried To Raise Taxes, Even On Those Who Make As Little As $17,000 Per Year:

The Washington Times: “Mr. Allen painted Mr. Kaine as a serial tax-hiker and enabler of President Obama’s agenda, notably his high-profile federal health care overhaul law.”  (David Sherfinski, “Sharp Exchanges Punctuate First Allen-Kaine Debate In Va.,” The Washington Times, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “Allen countered by describing Kaine as a tax-raiser, painting Kaine’s gubernatorial administration as one of high unemployment and attempts to raise taxes.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

The Roanoke Times: “Allen tried to portray Kaine as a reflexive tax-raiser, citing Kaine’s failed efforts to increase taxes as governor. Kaine proposed tax and fee increases to generate revenue for transportation and, weeks before leaving office, proposed a 1 percent income tax “surcharge” to produce revenue for local governments. The income tax proposal was part of Kaine’s plan to close a $4.2 billion budget shortfall.”  (Michael Sluss, “Senate Candidates George Allen, Time Kaine Trade Barbs During Debate At The Homestead,” The Roanoke Times, 7/21/12)

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “[Allen] also countered by accusing Kaine of trying to ‘raise taxes by $4 billion’ as governor, ‘including for people earning as little as $17,000 a year,’ and for allowing tuition costs to increase and closing rest stops.”  (Wesley P. Hester, “Allen, Kaine Trade Blows On Host Of Issues At Debate,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/21/12)

News Virginian: “He said Kaine attempted to raise taxes by $4 billion while governor, increased college tuition costs and lost 100,000 jobs.”  (“Kaine, Allen Go On The Attack In Homestead Debate,” News Virginian, 7/22/12)

WDBJ 7: “‘Tim as Governor tried to raise taxes by 4 billion dollars, including on people making as little as 17- thousand dollars a year,’ Allen told the crowd.”  (Joe Dashiell, “George Allen And Time Kaine Face Off In Virginia Senate Debate,” WDBJ 7, 7/21/12)

Kaine As A Supporter of Washington’s Failed Policies That Have Virginians Hurting:

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “Allen painted Kaine as an advocate of tax increases and President Barack Obama’s policies, repeatedly criticizing his former job as Democratic National Committee chairman and his time as governor, noting that they overlapped.”  (Wesley P. Hester, “Allen, Kaine Trade Blows On Host Of Issues At Debate,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/21/12)

Richmond Times-Dispatch: “Allen drew first blood in his opening remarks, saying that ‘Virginians are hurting because of the failed policies in Washington which my opponent has advocated.’”  (Wesley P. Hester, “Allen, Kaine Trade Blows On Host Of Issues At Debate,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/21/12)

WDBJ 7: “Allen criticized Kaine for taking on the role of Democratic National Committee Chairman while he was still serving as Governor. ‘Do you regret putting the partisan agenda ahead of your responsibilities to the people of Virginia as Governor,’ Allen asked Kaine. ‘George I'm not a hard partisan and I've never been,’ Kaine replied, ‘you can serve with honor in a party role.’”  (Joe Dashiell, “George Allen And Time Kaine Face Off In Virginia Senate Debate,” WDBJ 7, 7/21/12)

Kaine’s Mismanagement: Shutting Down Rest Stops

News Virginian: “Allen also said Kaine closed VDOT rest stops when there was $1 billion left in an account at the state agency.”  (“Kaine, Allen Go On The Attack In Homestead Debate,” News Virginian, 7/22/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “[Allen] took issue with Kaine’s claim that Virginia was a well-managed state in Kaine’s administration.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “‘I don’t see what’s great management when you’re shutting down rest areas in Virginia when there’s a billion dollars sitting in the VDOT account being unused,’ Allen said, referring to Kaine’s unpopular decision as an outgoing governor to close numerous highway rest areas, and the subsequent finding by a VDOT audit that the agency had about $1 billion on its books it hadn’t spent.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: “Gov. Bob McDonnell reopened the rest stops. Kaine’s campaign sent out an email during the debate, saying the $1 billion hadn’t been spent because VDOT managers under Kaine were conservative fiscal managers.”  (Chelyen Davis, “Allen, Kaine Debate At Homestead,” Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, 7/21/12)

The Roanoke Times: “Allen criticized Kaine for taking on the role of Democratic National Committee chairman during his last year as governor, arguing that it diverted Kaine’s attention from his responsibilities in his home state.”  (Michael Sluss, “Senate Candidates George Allen, Time Kaine Trade Barbs During Debate At The Homestead,” The Roanoke Times, 7/21/12)

The Roanoke Times: “Allen challenged Kaine for serving as DNC chairman during his final year as governor in 2009, asking: ‘Do you regret putting the partisan agenda ahead of your responsibilities to the people of Virginia as governor?’”  (Michael Sluss, “Senate Candidates George Allen, Time Kaine Trade Barbs During Debate At The Homestead,” The Roanoke Times, 7/21/12)

Allen’s Record Of Bipartisanship:

The Washington Times: “‘You find folks on specific issues on the other side of the aisle to join with you to get things done,’ he said.”  (David Sherfinski, “Sharp Exchanges Punctuate First Allen-Kaine Debate In Va.,” The Washington Times, 7/21/12)

The Washington Post: “Allen also boasted of partnering with Democrats on welfare reform and parole abolition in Richmond as well as working with Sens. John Kerry and Hillary Rodham Clinton while serving in the Senate…”  (Anita Kumar, “Allen, Kaine Go On Th Attack In Senate Debate,” The Washington Post, 7/21/12)

Washington Examiner: “Allen retorted that he worked across the aisle on legislation with then-Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John Kerry, both Democrats…”  (Steve Contorno, “Kaine, Allen Spar In First Virginia Senate Debate,” Washington Examiner, 7/21/12)

The Washington Times: “But Mr. Allen countered; he’s frequently brought up his work with Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, on nanotechnology and preventing taxation on the internet as an example of working across the aisle.” (David Sherfinski, “Sharp Exchanges Punctuate First Allen-Kaine Debate In Va.,” The Washington Times, 7/21/12)