George Allen: 2.0
Posted: Friday, December 12, 2008 3:28 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under:
Republicans, Economy
From NBC's Carrie Dann
One option for Republicans disappointed with the November election results might be to follow the sentiment of Congressman Davy Crockett, who famously declared after he lost his reelection bid in 1835: “You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.”
When George Allen, the Republican politician whose drawling on-camera slipup became an instant encyclopedia entry in 2006, opened a speech to a conservative women’s group with Crockett's quote this morning, it was hard not to think that things would stay interesting.
Allen -- the former Virginia governor and senator who narrowly lost his 2006 reelection bid amidst allegations of past racism, an over-affinity for the Confederate flag, and his on-camera utterance of the epithet “macaca” to describe an opponent’s operative – may not have the spotless resume that the GOP is looking for in the leaders of its next generation. But the twangy Californian-turned-Southern pol is looking to re-polish his image as a small government conservative with big ideas for energy infrastructure and market-based solutions.
Appearing at a luncheon sponsored by the Conservative Women’s Network under the provocative title “What to Do When Your State Turns Left” the former leader of America’s newest blue state was more eager to laud solar technology than he was to slam the incoming administration. After kidding about Crockett’s disgruntled twinges of Alamo ire, Allen went on to present ways that conservatives can “take a stand” against big government by advocating energy innovation, school choice, and job growth.
Weaving his business-friendly ideals around typical conservative signposts like “despising the nanny, meddling government” and being tough on “criminal apologists” in favor of looser parole laws, Allen used a healthy dose of “y’alls” to describe plans for new electricity grids and offshore drilling.
“There is no single silver bullet to address this energy independence approach,” he told the small crowd of GOP women. “We need silver buckshot.” (Seeming relieved by the audience’s giggles at the joke, he added approvingly, “Most of you understand what that is.”)
Allen made a point to frown generally upon the recent rash of corporate loan guarantee programs debated in Congress, joshing that the government’s philosophy of late has been ‘If it’s failing, invest in it.’ But he only passingly mentioned the stalled auto bailout still echoing on Capitol Hill, just a few blocks away from the Heritage Foundation building where he stood.
And when Michelle Easton, the organization’s president, jumped in at the end of the Q&A period to ask a few “fun ones” – inviting him to weigh in on allegations of staggering gubernatorial corruption in Illinois, as well as on Hillary Clinton’s acceptance of a top State Department post -- Allen stayed serious. Despite expectant titters as the questions were asked, Allen called Clinton “a reasonable choice” who would have the opportunity to “do a lot more for the country on issues that she cares about” as Secretary of State. (He did add that Bill Richardson’s willingness to leave his post as a governor to join Obama’s cabinet was more surprising.)
And on Blago? Allen was even more measured, expressing sympathy for the people of Illinois and carefully noting that dishonesty is always unacceptable, “regardless of party.”
Allen’s tone may be one of a man scanning the horizon after once seeing his political life pass before his eyes in a single instant. The longtime lawmaker indicated today that he may not be done quite yet. “I haven’t ruled anything out, one way or the other, for the future,” he told an audience member who pressed him to come back onto the political stage. “As long as I’m breathing, I’m going to keep advocating these ideas that I think can really improve the country.”
