"Republican U.S. Sen. George Allen and his Democratic challenger, Jim Webb, campaigned Thursday on different sides of the gay marriage issue in southwest Virginia.

The issue jumped to the forefront in Virginia's close race a day after the New Jersey Supreme Court legalized same-sex unions, recharging the emotional debate not only on a proposed Virginia constitutional amendment to ban such relationships but the positions Webb and Allen have taken.

Allen, who supports the amendment, portrayed the ruling as proof the amendment is needed to prevent long-standing Virginia's laws against same-sex unions from being nullified by judicial fiat.

'This - this - I think should propel people,' Allen said with emphasis while speaking with reporters at Roanoke's City Market. Senators, he noted, must confirm candidates for federal judgeships.

'The concepts of foundational values that represent democracy are most under attack ... by these judges who disrespect the values and views of the people,' Allen said.

The ruling, though binding only in New Jersey, could affect races in conservative Virginia and other states as the Republicans try to protect their slim Senate majority by energizing religious conservatives who tend to vote Republican.

Also on Thursday, campaign finance reports both men filed showed that Webb more than doubled Allen in cash raised from individual contributions for the first 18 days of October.

Webb reported $1.35 million from individual donors in to $661,409 for Allen for the reports the Federal Election Commission requires 12 days before the Nov. 7 election. Total receipts, counting contributions from political action committees and transfers, totaled $1.5 million for the 2 1/2 weeks for Webb to $838,700 for Allen.

Allen, however, spent $4 million during that time to $2.4 million for Webb. As of Oct. 18, Allen reported his campaign had $2.3 million on hand to Webb's $1.7 million. And for the campaign to date, Allen reported total receipts of $15.8 million to expenses of $13.6 million compared to Webb's total receipts of $6 million and net expenses of $4.1 million.

Webb, touring the region with popular Democratic former Gov. Mark R. Warner, told a lively crowd of about 200 in Floyd he believes marriage is between one man and one woman, but opposes the amendment because he believes it would endanger legal arrangements by all unmarried people.

In another campaign development, independent Gail Parker said she is considering withdrawing from the race and backing either Allen or Webb. She said she is negotiating with both campaigns to determine who would better support her platform for expanding passenger train systems in the state.

Webb told southwestern Virginia supporters that Allen is saturating the region with 'more ads here probably than anywhere else' that distort his positions. He noted that he and Allen are close in the polls, and urged supporters to 'get the word out' about where he stands on issues.

'I think this is going to be a turnout issue,' Webb said.

Allen, sporting a tie of Virginia Tech maroon and orange, mingled with shoppers at the City Market. He planned to work the crowds Thursday night in Blacksburg at the Hokies' football game against Clemson.

'I hope you win,' Lynda Hagee of Stewartsville called from her car as she waited for the Allen entourage to walk in front of her. With her permission, Allen affixed a bumper sticker to her vehicle.

Webb was greeted warmly at the Floyd Country Store, but the crowd roared for Warner, who left office in January with polls showing his approval ratings as high as 76 percent.

The store holds an old-time music jamboree each Friday night, and a sign in its window read: 'Gov. Mark Warner coming to the Floyd Country Store' with the date and time. It didn't mention Webb.

The owner, Woody Crenshaw, said his store is a politically neutral gathering place, but Warner is special because he was the first sitting governor to visit Floyd.

'We remember that and we appreciated that very much,' said Crenshaw.

Warner noted that the musical venue, which is undergoing expansion, was exhibiting the kind of success he worked for in the economically stressed region when he was governor.

The former governor had explored a possible 2008 presidential bid since leaving office, but announced two weeks ago he would not run." (Sue Lindsey, Associated Press, October 26, 2006)

Editor's Note: An index to coverage of George Allen on the Loper website may be found at http://loper.org/~george/archives/2006/Aug/925.html