George Allen backs down from a fight?!

George Allen backs down from a fight?! What's next the Cubs will win a World Series?

Senator George “knock their lilly white teeth out” Allen appears to be backing down from a fight, and get this - over taxes! Yesterday, Senator Allen met with assembly Republicans to give them a “pep talk” of sorts, but this time George’s tone was much different. If you remember, two years ago Senator Allen charged down I-95 to Richmond like a Rough Rider charging San Juan Heights and blasted Governor Warner – in his normal caustic, arrogant, and smug self – over proposed tax increases.

But yesterday Allen pranced down to Richmond from the beltway as if he were riding “my little pony”. If assembly Republicans were looking for their spiritual leader to “rally the troops” with his usually dependable dose of venom, they didn’t get it. When discussing potentially increasing taxes to fund needed transportation improvements Allen stated, “I am encouraged that all sides recognize we need more money for transportation.” Huh? What? So it aint so!

I would imagine that Allen realizes that each move he makes from now until November will be under a microscope. Senator Allen knows that the residents of voter rich Northern Virginia are tired of sitting in traffic, and that these same voters could very well determine his fate come November. Therefore yesterday it appeared that Senator Allen chose to stay firmly planted in reality for a change, and advocated for solutions versus partisan grand standing - even if only for an election year. (By the way hopefully solutions to Nova’s traffic woes will be more comprehensive than simply constructing more roads.)

For once I will have to agree with Senator Allen. Yes, it’s obvious that the Commonwealth needs additional funds dedicated to improving transportation, and I too hope that all sides recognize this and find an acceptable solution. It’s just too bad that such pragmatism only comes from Allen during an election year (which by the way will be his first as an incumbent). For Allen maybe this is a good start? But just maybe it’s too little too late?