08/08/12: George Allen needs to reconsider

This op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot on the date shown.

THE U.S. Senate contest in Virginia promises to be close. Real Clear Politics shows a polling average that has the race tied. Hampton Roads has already seen a fair share of advertising, with more to come. Both candidates have spent time campaigning in the region.

But it seems Hampton Roads will not be given the opportunity to see the former governors debate.

Already, Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine have faced off twice. The first debate was in Richmond last December, before Allen had even won the nomination.

A second was last month at The Homestead, a tony resort in Hot Springs. The Virginia Bar Association hosted the event, with CNN’s Candy Crowley as the moderator. There was no TV or radio coverage.

Last week, Allen announced he had agreed to three more debates — in McLean, Richmond (again) and Blacksburg. All three will have TV coverage but only in their home markets. There is a possibility the Richmond debate will be broadcast on PBS stations statewide.

As senator, one of these men will represent all of Virginia, including Hampton Roads and its unique challenges. No doubt that is why Sen. John McCain of Arizona chose this area to hold a town hall meeting on the looming defense cuts. And no doubt that is why the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce wanted to host a televised mid-October debate here.

Roughly a third of the votes cast in Virginia in 2008 came from our region, if one considers the vote totals by congressional district. Neither candidate can win without us.

More important, though, are the votes of swing voters. Despite our partisan polarity, it is the independent voters who often end up making the decision.

Let’s be honest: Most who consider themselves Democrats are going to vote for Kaine, and most who consider themselves Republicans are going to vote for Allen. That’s part of the reason the polling is so close at this point. At an average of 44 percent each, roughly 12 percent of the Virginia electorate is undecided about the two candidates.

Some of those voters are here. And they deserve the opportunity to hear more from the candidates than the 30-second soundbites that TV ads offer. We all deserve to hear the candidates’ understanding of the issues that face our part of the state and what they would pursue on our behalf, if elected.

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce officials say that while Kaine accepted their debate, Allen has turned it down. Interestingly, Allen considered Hampton Roads significant when he first ran in 2000. At that time, he challenged then-Sen. Chuck Robb to televised debates in five regions, including ours.

I urge Allen to reconsider. If Sens. McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte — none of whom represents Virginia — thought Hampton Roads important enough to bring their sequestration road show here, the very least Allen could do is show a similar consideration.