By Jeff E. Schapiro
It’s easier for George Allen to ask a black television reporter in Washington what position he played in college – and almost immediately apologize for it – than it is for the has-been, would-be senator to take a position on the budget deal keeping the federal government open until September.
Affirming his potentially fatal bromance with President Barack Obama, Tim Kaine backed the agreement before there was one. Jamie Radtke twice rejected it, drawing on a tea-party vocabulary that seemingly consists of one word: no. Allen waited four days, announcing his reluctant support in a statement Tuesday aimed at making him seem both responsible and rebellious.
The budget fight is the first national debate to ripple through Virginia’s almost fully formed Senate contest, spotlighting problems and opportunities for candidates, including a de facto three-way race for the Republican nomination among Allen, Radtke and Kaine – yes, Kaine.
Barely a week into his candidacy, Kaine’s emphasis on fiscal issues – it’s nervy, given his nonstop push as governor for billions in new taxes and the spendaholic image of the national Democratic Party he led for Obama – complements a similar thrust by Radtke.
This is forcing Allen to walk a tightrope.
He’s signaling to conservatives, who will decide the GOP nomination, that he’s serious about controlling government spending – despite a first go as senator that might indicate otherwise. At the same time, Allen is telegraphing to independents, who will decide the Senate election, that a government shutdown is unacceptable.
Allen, a la Radtke, hints that he would oppose increasing the debt ceiling – never mind that he voted in 2006 to raise it for President George W. Bush – unless Congress and Obama, committed to $38 billion in reductions under the 11th-hour compromise, agree to "cuts that really limit future spending before America spends itself into bankruptcy."
Allen, a la Kaine, also says closing the government would be a disservice to U.S. troops, denying them paychecks to support their families. But raising the stakes on Allen, Kaine says that’s not the only bill the nation must pay. Kaine says he would back a higher debt ceiling to "ensure fiscal stability and continued economic recovery."
Having the luxury of running unopposed, for now, for the Democratic nomination, Kaine can delight in making mischief for Allen. But turnaround is fair play. And if the tea party is a monkey – a macaca? – on Allen’s back, then Kaine might be burdened by his image as Obama’s lap dog, unquestioningly loyal to the individual and his ideas. This includes such budget-busters as economic stimulus that, when it dries up, will leave Virginia and other states short for cash.
That’s part of Kaine’s legacy. And Allen, who knows all about apologies, has to make Kaine sorry for it.
Jeff E. Schapiro is a political writer and columnist for the Richmand Times Dispatch. He can be reached at (804) 649-6814, and followed at Twitter.com/RTDSchapiro.
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