Allen, Webb in Slashing, Wide-Ranging Debate

Allen, who stumped Webb this summer during the first debate with a question about a port project on Craney Island in the Hampton Roads area, was left almost speechless Monday when Webb queried him about the Senkaku Islands off the coast of Taiwan. "I'll have to study it," a clearly baffled Allen said. Webb then lectured him about the island's strategic importance to Southeast Asia.

The candidates offered starkly different assessments of the proposed Virginia constitutional amendment on November's ballot that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions.

Webb said he opposes gay marriage but believes the amendment would also affect contracts and agreements between heterosexual partners and friends.

Allen said he supports the amendment as a way to keep "elitist judges" from granting gays the right to marry despite Virginia laws to the contrary. "This is a way to protect the values and view of the people of Virginia," he said.

In response to a question about day-laborer centers in Herndon, Allen said Webb's positions on immigration would reward illegal behavior. "This is a country that has been built by legal immigrants, and we should not be rewarding illegal behavior," Allen said.

Webb accused Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress of failing to secure the borders, making the day-laborer centers a necessary step for local governments.

Allen called for a balanced-budget amendment and a line-item veto to help control spending. Webb, who railed against corporate profits, said big companies should pay more.

Allen questioned Webb's commitment to the war on terrorism, asking whether he supported the National Security Agency's wiretapping. Webb said he understands the need for such spying but would insist on oversight from Congress and judges.