Sen. Clinton Supports Webb in Va. Campaign

"It's the same group. It's moderate to conservative women who are perhaps not so consumed with the political process because they have lives to live," said Democratic pollster Pete Brodnitz, who worked for Kaine last year and is now on Webb's team. "They are making their decision a bit later. There's a lot of effort expended on both sides to talk to women."

Allen aides said they will continue to seek advantage among that group by hammering Webb for his past views, which included highly-charged language to describe women at the Naval Academy. Wadhams said they will also continue to showcase Allen's wife, who was a popular first lady when Allen was governor.

"We have a very strong opportunity to appeal to women voters, and I think that's a significant part of the debate," Wadhams said.

Webb campaign manager Steve Jarding dismissed Allen's appeal to women, noting that the senator opposes abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research -- two issues that Jarding said put Allen at odds with most women in Virginia.

"This is not a champion of women's issues," Jarding said of the senator. "The Allen campaign knows that." One of the Naval Academy graduates who initially joined Allen in criticizing Webb has now accepted his apology and endorsed the Democrat.

Clinton, who raised about $75,000 for Webb, praised him as a decisive leader who would stand up to the Bush administration. She said it was important to "replace subservient Republicans who are unwilling to ask the hard questions with Democrats like Jim Webb, who will."

Webb once called President Bill Clinton's administration the most "corrupt" in history. He has said his animosity was fueled by Clinton's attempts to get out of serving in Vietnam, where Webb was wounded and received several medals and commendations.

As for his support of women, Webb said yesterday that "probably the most important thing I can say about that entire issue is that there's a term in law, res ipsa loquitur , the thing speaks for itself"; he then introduced his top campaign staff members, five of whom are women.

Allen spoke yesterday to about 50 women in Howell's backyard in Fredericksburg. Several of the women there wore buttons proclaiming "Vote for Susan Allen's Husband."

The senator said he has been a leader in efforts to get more women interested in pursuing careers in math and science. Allen also talked about keeping taxes low and winning the war in Iraq.

When Susan Allen was asked whether she agreed with her husband's opposition to abortion rights, she said: "Labels are not necessarily a good thing. I believe George's record looking at that particular issue is excellent. He's represented Virginia values."

Staff writer Robert Barnes contributed to this report.