Debate May Shift Focus To Issues

Character Dominant In Va. Senate Race

RICHMOND, Oct. 8 -- Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) pleaded last week for a debate on issues instead of character. He might get it Monday night in what could be his final face-to-face meeting with Democratic challenger James Webb.

The two will square off for an hour at a Richmond television studio in a debate that will be televised live in the Richmond area and on WETA (Channel 26) in Northern Virginia. The 8 p.m. debate will be moderated by Russ Mitchell, co-anchor of "The Saturday Early Show" on CBS.

The debate could set the tone for the final month of the campaign as both men struggle to communicate their positions on issues that have been largely overshadowed by personal controversy.

"I'm confident that if this Senate race is decided on issues, ideas and my proven record of performance, you'll allow me to continue serving you," Allen said in a two-minute commercial broadcast statewide last week.

Allen aides are bracing for more questions about his character. Last month, NBC's Tim Russert asked about Allen's "macaca" comment and Webb's 1979 article on women in combat.

A question at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce debate prompted disclosures of Allen's Jewish heritage.

But both candidates are prepping to answer more substantive questions as well, aware that voters are likely to be paying more attention in the final weeks leading to the Nov. 7 election.

"We're ready to answer those kinds of questions," said Webb spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd. "We'd like to talk more about the issues. We always have."

Todd once again accused Allen of ducking debates, renewing a theme that Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) used successfully in his campaign against former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore (R) last year.

Todd said Webb has agreed to almost a dozen additional debates that Allen has declined. Allen aides say the senator has agreed to Virginia's three traditional debates -- one sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, another by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and Monday's League of Women Voters debate.

The candidates are certain to face questions about the war in Iraq, a subject they returned to Friday. Webb used comments by Allen's colleague, U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) to bolster his concerns about the war. A somber Warner had just returned from Iraq with a downbeat assessment of the war effort.

Allen countered Webb's criticism by offering a joint news conference with Warner. The Republicans said it would be a mistake to "turn over" Iraq to terrorists.