RNCC Interview: George Allen

What has George Allen been doing for the last two years, since getting edged in 2006 by Jim Webb in the Virginia Senate race? Allen has not retired from politics, although he has taken a more grassroots approach to promoting conservative principles. He has begun working with young people to educate and direct them into public service, helping to establish the next generation:

This was the longest interview I conducted during the convention — not by design, but because Senator Allen had so many interesting thoughts on politics. Before he stumbled in 2006, I considered him the GOP’s best prospect for the presidential ticket in 2008, having been both Governor and Senator from Virginia, and it’s easy to recall why from this exchange. He seems content at the moment to work for John McCain — I didn’t know he was a delegate until he told me in this interview — and to build the conservative movement.

He makes an interesting point about parties in that regard. He stresses that these efforts have nothing directly to do with the Republican Party, and that his affiliation depends on the GOP hewing closely to conservative principles. In this regard, the pick of Sarah Palin delights him, and it sends a message that the Republicans could rebuild the Reagan coalition while respecting conservative values.

Allen has an equal amount of optimism for the GOP’s bench. We talked about Bobby Jindal as a future leader of the party and of the conservative movement, as well as Eric Cantor, Jeff Flake, Jim DeMint, Richard Burr, and many more.

For the most part, though, we talked about energy policy and the options we have in turning that into an American strength. It takes up the majority of this interview, and Allen speaks with real passion about this particular topic. Republicans would do well to emulate this passion across all of their races between now and November, and I suspect that Senator Allen would be happy to coach them on it.