George Allen and Tim Kaine campaign in Northern Virginia again on Tuesday

On Tuesday, U.S. Senate candidates Tim Kaine and George Allen traveled to Northern Virginia to discuss two separate issues and to reach out to two separate blocs of voters. Tim Kaine opted to discuss topics aimed towards women while Allen focused on defense spending.[1]

Anyone who has followed the last Congress may find it shocking that a Republican candidate for the senate would be focusing on defense spending. As Lowell Feld of Blue Virginia put it, “Let’s get this one straight: Allen decided to focus on defense cuts which his party largely is responsible for?...that makes a LOT of sense – not!). [2]

For Tim Kaine, it shouldn't be too difficult to convince Northern Virginia’s female voters that he and his party have a better track record, to say the least, in promoting and protecting so-called “women’s issues.”[3] 

Not only has the Democratic Party defended these issues, the Republican Party, in general, has made just about every political move possible to reduce women’s issues to a state of political subjugation.

Of course, there is a political element to Mr. Kaine’s focus on women voters. As Kaine himself said, “The women’s vote is going to be very, very critical in this election.”[4]

For Allen, his campaign is pulling out the usual scare tactics to convince Virginia’s defense industry-dependent voters in the north that he will work to stop $500 million worth of “looming military cuts.”

Of course, Kaine’s support of a “budget control measure” was given in order to avoid a default by the federal government. Kaine shared his support with Virginia’s Republican governor along with a number of Republican representatives in the U.S. Congress.[5]

Thus, Allen’s messaging strategy is shaky on factual groups, while Kaine’s messaging directed towards women can be backed with rhetoric and deeds. This contrast should stand as an example that typifies the integrity of each campaign and each candidate.

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[1] http://washingtonexaminer.com/kaine-allen-rally-northern-virginia-supporters/article/2510946

[2] http://bluevirginia.us/

[3] http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/david_sarasohn/index.ssf/2012/09/women_and_their_issues_go_main.html

[4] http://washingtonexaminer.com/kaine-allen-rally-northern-virginia-supporters/article/2510946

[5] http://factcheck.org/2012/09/crossroads-colors-kaines-cuts/