January 25, 2006

Senator Allen, Thank you for agreeing to take part in NH Insider’s new feature, “10 Questions.” Now, let the questioning begin…

Many Republicans are displeased with current levels of spending and the correlating deficits; what is your plan to reduce both?

I was one of only eleven Republican senators to vote to eliminate spending hundreds of millions of dollars for a “bridge to nowhere” in Ketchikan, Alaska. It’s a prime example of wasteful, absurd spending. This project was not a priority: it did not preserve heritage for education or tourism and it had nothing to do with national defense or key research.

I believe it is vitally important that the President and Congress get control of frivolous spending and work to reduce our nation’s deficits. That is why I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. In addition, I have introduced a Constitutional Amendment that would provide the President the power to curb superfluous spending by Congress on a federal level; it’s the same power I used as Governor of Virginia to line-item veto wasteful pork barrel projects at the State-level. Given the challenges we face today in the War on Terror and the long tradition of Congress to lard appropriations with non-essential spending, it's important that the President finally has the ability and responsibility to eliminate some of the waste that Congress is so efficient in producing.

Your father was a Hall of Fame football coach who never had a losing season, you spent much of your childhood with him on the sideline during this time what are some of the lessons on winning and life that you learned from him?

My father (and football) taught me some truly important lessons that are applicable to success in life: always be prepared; when you get knocked down, you get back up; learn from setbacks or mistakes; and stick together as a team. These are important lessons. But the most important lesson he taught me was how football is a true meritocracy: no matter someone’s race, ethnicity, religion or background – what matters most is if you can produce on a level playing field. I believe this is an important, instructive model for our country. We should aspire to that same meritocracy in our society where all people have the equal opportunity to compete and succeed based on one’s own hard work, creativity and character.

What living politician do you admire most, why?

My favorite living politician has to be “The Iron Lady,” Margaret Thatcher who was part of the triumvirate (along with President Reagan and Pope John Paul II) who provided the steady, principled leadership that won the Cold War. She is a magnificent leader for freedom loving people everywhere. In America – two of my favorite living politicians are Democrats - Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman - I admire them for their courage and principled leadership in adhering to an honorable approach in a time of war: that all politics must end at the water’s edge. I also admire President Bush. And, of course, my all-time political heroes are Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan.

You have been quoted as saying, "Less taxation, less litigation, greater energy independence in this country. These are the foundational ideals that [Americans and Virginians] believe in." In what ways are you prepared to deliver these values in ways that Democrats are not?

The successful tax cuts I’ve strongly advocated and sponsored in Congress over the past few years have been tremendous for the growth of our economy and jobs – and we’ve seen tax revenues actually increase as a result. Almost every Democrat and a few Republicans opposed these tax cuts for individuals, families and small business owners. If tax-increasing politicians had their way, Americans would be paying higher taxes and fewer jobs would have been created. In the future, I will continue working to make these tax rate cuts permanent to prevent tax increases.

We’ve also passed class action lawsuit reform and worked to limit frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. We’re working to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy such as through the exploration of the barren north slope of Alaska (ANWR); this despite most Democrats’ continued obstruction and delay.

Republicans trust free people and free enterprise. I believe that our party will continue advancing ideas and solutions that will have a positive impact on people’s lives. Meanwhile, Democrats will represent, for the most part, the party of obstruction, higher taxes, more litigation, burdensome regulation and energy dependence.

You have served as both Governor and now as Senator what have you found to be the biggest differences? Which role have you enjoyed most?

Serving as the 67^th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia was the highest honor bestowed on me by the people of Virginia. As Governor, our Administration seized the opportunity to serve the people of Virginia; we led by accomplishing the promises we made for historic changes in abolishing the lenient, dishonest parole system; promoting work ethic and personal responsibility with welfare reform; instituting high academic standards and accountability in our schools; reducing taxes; enacting a concealed carry law; and passing a parental notification abortion law for unwed daughters under the age of eighteen. During my four years as Governor, we set out to positively impact people’s lives and we made the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, learn and raise a family.

As a Senator, one is no longer the chief executive but a member of a larger body – a board of directors. The Senate is a very collegial body with knowledgeable, articulate and experienced national leaders. Being accustomed to making decisions and taking action, the worship of process in this extremely deliberative body can be frustrating. However, it is an honor to again represent the people of Virginia at the federal level to advance proven, positive ideas and principles for the people of our nation, especially in the areas of foreign relations, education, innovation and economic competitiveness.

You recently returned from a trip to Asia where you met with leaders from China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan; recently some have criticized our trade deficits with these countries, what steps, if any, should the U.S. take to resolve this problem?

I believe that free and fair trade is a net plus for Americans because it reduces barriers to U.S. products and services. However, it is essential that trade agreements are properly enforced by all parties. The U.S. cannot allow countries such as China to cheat and violate trade rules on furniture, semi-conductor chips and textiles. And China should accurately value its currency which would allow U.S. companies to compete on a level, appropriate currency field. Moreover, China and other countries steal our intellectual property, robbing U.S. inventors tens of billions of dollars.

We need to review our tax and regulatory laws in this country to make sure we are as competitive as possible in the global marketplace for investment and jobs. Most importantly, we need to keep innovating, inventing and adapting while encouraging more of our young people to become scientists and engineers, so that America can continue to be the “world capital of innovation.”

What would you say to Democrats who argue that troops should be removed from Iraq immediately?

Immediately withdrawing our troops from Iraq would be forfeiting to the terrorists. I disagree strongly with the Democrats who believe we should precipitously leave Iraq. Those who are saying that we cannot win this war or that our troops are “terrorizing” Iraqi children are making ill-advised, dangerous statements. Our troops have done a tremendous job helping Iraqis build a democracy in a formerly repressed, terrorist-friendly state.

Tucking tail and running will not win the War on Terror and would give the terrorists hope that America does not have the will and resolve that we’ve had throughout our great history. We must remember the historic progress that has been made with a vast majority of Iraqis taking part in free elections. I believe we must stand with our troops as they continue their difficult but vital mission for our security. Today, we see that the tree of liberty is starting to take root in Iraq with the Iraqi people voting in remarkable numbers for a free and just society

What is currently the Republican Party’s greatest weakness? What should be done to resolve this problem?

Our party is at its best when advancing ideas that motivate and inspire people to action. It’s important for us to address several issues, especially, energy independence; educational improvements in science and engineering; illegal immigration and making this country more competitive.

When I travel around Virginia, one of the issues I hear about most is illegal immigration. First and foremost, I believe we need to secure our borders. Secondly, we should not reward illegal behavior because doing so only encourages more illegal actions. Finally, we need to reform legal immigration by devising a better legal guest worker program. This is a pressing national concern and I believe Americans rationally want action

As a constituent of Governor Warner what do you think the greatest success and failure of his administration have been?

On issues that Governor Warner and I found common ground – such as education – we have worked well together. One of the most important things that Governor Warner did was to resist calls for watering down Virginia’s Standards of Learning and wholeheartedly support the education reforms that were begun when I was Governor. As a result, Virginia’s students have continued to make significant progress in learning and are receiving the best education in the nation.

We also disagreed on issues. Governor Warner’s tax increase was the largest in Virginia’s long history. Some will applaud it, others will criticize. I think everyone knows where I stood on it. I did not believe that it was necessary and I think that our recent surpluses since have tended to support my view that a tax increase was undesirable. I felt it was wrong to raise the taxes without letting the people vote on it. Governor Warner won office by promising he would not raise taxes. I did not support his tax increase and I was joined by Governor Wilder and others on both sides of the aisle.

Do you support the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary?

Yes. I enjoyed several visits with many active political and entrepreneurial folks in New Hampshire over this past year. I love New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” and I think the people of New Hampshire certainly live up to that way of living which to me is so uniquely American.