Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and his wife, Susan, greet supporters outside the home of Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, and his wife, Cessie, in Stafford yesterday. Allen held a press conference in the Howells' yard. MIKE MORONES/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and his wife, Susan, speak with Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford (center) during a stop at Howell's home in Stafford yesterday. MIKE MORONES/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Allen and wife visit the Howells.

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 10/4/2006

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

Continuing an effort to change the focus in the U.S. Senate race, Sen. George Allen yesterday staged a last-minute press conference in House Speaker Bill Howell's backyard.

The event was the kick-off of Allen's new strategy--an "Issues, Ideas and a Proven Record" tour, designed to shift the focus off the accusations of racial slurs and insensitivity that have dominated media coverage of Allen's campaign against Democrat Jim Webb.

Allen's campaign has been dogged by questions of racial insensitivity ever since Allen in August called an Indian-American Webb campaign tracker "macaca," a term Allen said he made up but others say is an obscure racial slur. The accusations of racism intensified last week when former University of Virginia classmates accused Allen of using derogatory terms for blacks in the 1970s.

Yesterday's event at Howell's house followed on the heels of Allen's two-minute television address Monday night--he spent close to $50,000 to buy air time in most media markets in the state, for a speech in which he listed his past accomplishments as governor and senator, making only passing reference to the "baseless allegations" he said have drawn the campaign away from serious issues.

Allen's comments at Howell's house yesterday followed that theme; he talked about the need for energy independence, personalized health-care options, a stronger focus on getting young people interested in math and science professions, and the need to win in Iraq.

"There are ideas and issues and a proven record that do matter," Allen said.

The event at Howell's house was added to Allen's schedule the day before, although the event itself was already scheduled; Allen's wife, Susan, had planned to attend a women's luncheon at the house, hosted by Howell's wife, Cessie, and other friends, and Allen decided to add his press conference to the luncheon.

The result was that the Howells' backyard was draped in a huge American flag backdrop. Well-suited women there for the luncheon munched on hors d'oeuvres and stood along brick walkways while the media, as Allen pointed out, was "wrecking the grass."

Allen took a handful of questions after he gave his speech, but deflected any questions about his past racial statements. He also seemed unhappy with questions about why, if he wants to talk about real issues, his campaign is still running ads criticizing Webb for statements about women made 27 years ago.

"It's respect for women," Allen said, hurrying to his car to return to Washington for a meeting.

He and Webb have already debated three times, and have one more debate scheduled, next Monday. That debate will be televised, and Allen did not say whether he would agree to schedule more debates, although he said his campaign was considering some "joint appearances."

Howell told reporters after Allen left that while character counts in a political race, a person should be judged on who he is now.

That, and where a candidate stands on issues, "that's what's relevant, not what happened when he was a college sophomore," Howell said.

With an issue-based campaign, Howell said, he's confident Allen will win.

To reach CHELYEN DAVIS: 804/782-9362
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com

'That's what's relevant, not what happened when he was a college sophomore.' Speaker Bill Howell who hosted Sen. George Allen and his wife, Susan, yesterday.

Date published: 10/4/2006