Allen brings impassioned message to Roanoke Valley

He may be out of the US Senate, but that’s not keeping George Allen on the sidelines.

The former senator spoke to a group of Republicans Tuesday afternoon in Roanoke, delivering an impassioned speech against Washington from energy policy to the stimulus plan.

But he held most of his fire for health care reform. Allen offered up his own ideas like health savings accounts and tax credits while saying the reforms passed in Congress over-reached in a big way.

Here’s part of our exchange:

WARREN: “It sounds like you don’t think much of this health care plan that passed.”

ALLEN: “Well, of course not. I’m not one who likes government dictating, mandating, and taxing people. It heads in the wrong direction with well over a trillion dollars of deficit spending and spending money that we don’t have. I don’t like the idea of the government dictating to the people.”

WARREN: “You’ve come up with some solutions. We didn’t hear a lot of those from the Republicans during the debate. Were they engaged enough offering solutions during the process, instead of just saying no?”

ALLEN: “Well, it’s a good question, Jay. Republicans had a lot of good ideas, they weren’t necessarily getting out. You probably weren’t reporting on them. And, I know that you’re a good reporter. What they have to do is unite behind an idea.” He went on to say, “But they point is, I don’t know if anyone knew what the Republican alternative was.”

WARREN: “But even Senator Corker (R-TN) has said that the Republicans aren’t engaged enough on the financial bill, that they’re just saying no, rather than being a part of the process. Are you worried that there is too much no going on?”

ALLEN: “I think it is important to play tenacious defense against bad ideas,” he said. “Then with it you have to say here are the positive, constructive solution or idea and share with folks, here is how this would improve your life or opportunities for you and your family. And, I think from time to time, that has not been getting through.”

WARREN: “What’s the solution now? We’re hearing a lot of Republicans say repeal it. Is that the way to go?”

ALLEN: “Well, anything that would happen would be vetoed. Any sort of modifications to this, you’re not going to get an out right repeal, but you can amend it or try to change it.”

We also talked about several other issues including the scandal at the Republican National Committee after a staffer used donor money at strip clubs. The chair of the RCN, Michael Steele has come under increasing criticism for this and this week there has been a big staff shake-up at the committee.

WARREN: “Does he [Steele] have your vote of confidence?”

ALLEN: “I don’t have a vote. I know Michael Steele. He is a friend. I hate waste. I really hate waste. It is absolutely wrong that they are spending for that club in Hollywood. And in fact the person who was responsible has been fired. And they need, my view is, any of the contributors money, you need to look at it as more important than your own.”

WARREN: “He [Steele] says he gets extra scrutiny because of the color of his skin, that there is less room for error because he’s black. Do you buy that?”

ALLEN: “I don’t care what his skin pigmentation is. Understand that I grew up in football families. You don’t care about someone’s race or religion or ethnicity. You care about can they do the job. I think Michael, I like Michael. When I was chair of the Senate Campaign, I’d have Michael speak because I think he’s a good, enthusiastic leader regardless of his race.”

We also talked about a future campaign for Allen.

WARREN: “You sounded an awful lot like a candidate today, are you running for something?”

ALLEN: “My political activities, Jay, are going to be with the energy freedom center and I’m going to be very engaged as I was last year for Bob McDonnell and legislative candidates all over the state. And, so this year I’m going to work for those folks. In the future, there have been a lot of folks wanting me to run. My answer is perhaps.”

WARREN: “And by run, you mean your old Senate seat in 2012?”

ALLEN: “You’re getting too specific in my evasive answer.”