In this video image provided by the George Allen Campaign, Sen. George Allen, R-Va. (right), and Sen. John Warner, R-Va., appear together in a campaign ad that was broadcast statewide in Virginia last night. Visit the Photo Place

Allen and John Warner team up in TV spot

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Allen and John Warner team up in TV spot

By CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 10/17/2006

RICHMOND--Sen. George Allen is rolling out a big gun in his quest to keep his Senate seat--Sen. John Warner, R-Va.

Warner appeared with Allen in a one-time TV ad broadcast last night in most media markets in the state.

In it, Warner called Allen a "partner" in the Senate, and said he and Allen agree on issues such as low taxes and encouraging Iraq to resist terrorists.

"Today, the security of our nation is vital," Warner said. "George and I stand for a safe and strong America."

Warner said he has given his "straightforward, outspoken views" about Iraq, and that Allen has his vote.

The ad was similar to one Allen ran a few weeks ago, for which he also bought two minutes of airtime for a one-time showing of an ad. In that one, he discussed his past record, while his wife, Susan, stood at his side.

The Allen campaign calls them "addresses" and says they're a way to "bypass the media filter," according to a blog on Allen's official Web site.

But the Warner ad is also Allen's latest move to link himself with the popular senior senator, rather than with President George Bush, who suffers from low approval ratings, and to side with Warner's cautious views on Iraq. Allen's opponent, Democrat Jim Webb, has made Iraq his central issue in this campaign, saying the United States should decrease its military involvement there.

During a televised debate with Webb last week, Allen cast himself as an ally with Warner on issues like taxes, and tied Webb to liberal Democrats like Sen. Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.

Allen invoked his relationship with Warner much more than he did his relationship with Bush, although Webb frequently accuses Allen of having voted with Bush 97 percent of the time last year--more than Warner did.

Virginia Commonwealth University political analyst Robert Holsworth said Allen is trying to deflect the idea that he just goes along with whatever the president wants.

"It is clearly an attempt to distance himself from being seen as simply a 97-percenter," Holsworth said.

And by linking himself to Warner, Holsworth said, Allen is shifting from his support of Bush's position on Iraq, toward Warner's more cautious and less optimistic position.

Date published: 10/17/2006