George Allen: 'Federal Government's Top Responsibility is Defense'

United States Senate candidate and former Virginia Governor George Allen (R) is not satisfied with the current administration's plan for defense spending. 

"The primary responsibility of the federal government is national defense and national security," said Allen to about 30 veterans at American Legion Post 176 in Springfield Tuesday. "Cutting national defense could leave us with a hollow military," he said.

Allen was in Springfield campaigning for the Senate seat he lost in 2006 to Democrat Jim Webb. 

"Our country needs someone who will make a real commitment to growing our national force and also taking care of those who are prepared to give their last full measure of devotion for their country," said Virginia Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-VA-31) in introducing Allen.  Lingamfelter is himself a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army.

Lee Webster, a former Army officer, told Allen he'd like to see the military begin "a reverse boot camp." 

"We spent 13 weeks training for the military, we should receive 13 weeks of developmental, transitional experience, training to leave the military and enter the civilian work force," Webster said.  Webster suggested this could be accomplished with public-private partnerships.  Allen praised the idea, and requested Webster's notes.

If elected, Allen said he hopes to serve on the Armed Services Committee. "I want to make sure Virginia voices are represented on that committee," he said.

Allen has written a Compact With Veterans, outlining his positions on issues facing veterans and their families.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Allen served as Virginia's 67th governor from 1994 - 98.  He was also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district from 1991 - 1993.

Allen faces Jamie Radtke, E. W. (Earl) Jackson and Delegate Robert G. "Bob" Marshall (VA-13) on June 12 in Virginia's U.S. Senate Republican primary.