Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) is up with a new ad touting his bipartisan work as governor on welfare, economic and education reform, in an appeal to independent voters.
" 'Impossible.' George Allen heard that before. He proved them wrong. I know. I worked for him," former Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Kay Coles James, an African-American female who was part of Allen's administration, says in the ad. "As governor, the Democrats controlled the Legislature. George worked with them. Welfare reform. Ending parole. Reforming education. They cut taxes, grew our economy, created 300,000 jobs. Now it’s Washington’s turn. Impossible? Don't tell that to George Allen."
Allen and former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) are locked in a tight Senate race, though Kaine has led by a few points in most recent public polls. The race likely will hinge on which candidate can win over the higher number of suburban female voters, and this ad, which is very similar to Allen's first ad released this summer, seems designed to do exactly that.
This is Allen's fourth new ad in as many days. Another touts his bipartisan work on veterans' issues, while two running in Southwest Virginia's conservative coal country tie Kaine to President Obama and criticize him on energy issues.
