"Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) pleaded last week for a debate on issues instead of character. He might get it Monday night in what could be his final face-to-face meeting with Democratic challenger James Webb.

The two will square off for an hour at a Richmond television studio in a debate that will be televised live in the Richmond area and on WETA (Channel 26) in Northern Virginia. The 8 p.m. debate will be moderated by Russ Mitchell, co-anchor of 'The Saturday Early Show' on CBS.

The debate could set the tone for the final month of the campaign as both men struggle to communicate their positions on issues that have been largely overshadowed by personal controversy.

'I'm confident that if this Senate race is decided on issues, ideas and my proven record of performance, you'll allow me to continue serving you,' Allen said in a two-minute commercial broadcast statewide last week.

Allen aides are bracing for more questions about his character. Last month, NBC's Tim Russert asked about Allen's 'macaca' comment and Webb's 1979 article on women in combat.

A question at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce debate prompted disclosures of Allen's Jewish heritage.

But both candidates are prepping to answer more substantive questions as well, aware that voters are likely to be paying more attention in the final weeks leading to the Nov. 7 election.

'We're ready to answer those kinds of questions,' said Webb spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd. 'We'd like to talk more about the issues. We always have.'

Todd once again accused Allen of ducking debates, renewing a theme that Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) used successfully in his campaign against former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore (R) last year.

Todd said Webb has agreed to almost a dozen additional debates that Allen has declined. Allen aides say the senator has agreed to Virginia's three traditional debates -- one sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, another by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and Monday's League of Women Voters debate.

The candidates are certain to face questions about the war in Iraq, a subject they returned to Friday. Webb used comments by Allen's colleague, U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) to bolster his concerns about the war. A somber Warner had just returned from Iraq with a downbeat assessment of the war effort.

Allen countered Webb's criticism by offering a joint news conference with Warner. The Republicans said it would be a mistake to 'turn over' Iraq to terrorists.

In addition to Iraq, the candidates could face questions about stem cell research, abortion, taxes, transportation and education.

Allen has begun focusing on taxes with an advertisement that accuses Webb of wanting to raise taxes by $2,000 for the average Virginia family. It also attempts to link Webb with liberal Democratic lawmakers who are perceived to be opposed to recent federal tax cuts.

'Webb would bring back the death tax, marriage penalty tax and cut the child tax credit from $1,000 to $500,' the ad states.

Webb campaign officials called the ad incorrect. They said the former Navy secretary favors many tax cuts for families while opposing breaks for the richest families.

'This ad is totally wrong. Jim Webb supports extending tax cuts for Virginia's families like the college tuition tax credit, the child tax credit, and he supports the compromise estate tax cut,' Todd said.

Neither candidate has had much success communicating with voters about his ideas. In his stump speech, Allen tries to talk about energy independence and the need for more women and minorities who are interested in math and science. Webb usually talks about the need for economic fairness in Virginia.

But with just weeks until Election Day, neither currently is advertising those positions. Allen continues to hammer Webb on 27-year-old comments he made about women serving in combat. Webb has responded with an ad defending his record on women's issues.

Aides for both said they are hoping to get some help in the final days from national party leaders.

Webb strategist Steve Jarding said he has been frustrated by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which has declined to say whether or how they will spend money on Webb's behalf.

'I think they can come in and do a tremendous job. That clock is ticking and you don't get these days back,' he said. 'It is getting more and more difficult to explain why they are not here.'

Phil Singer, a spokesman for the campaign committee, said again over the weekend that candidates and the media should 'stay tuned' for more action out of the national party. Monday's debate could generate help from both directions." (Michael D. Shear, The Washington Post, October 9, 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