With 2 Weeks to Go, Allen, Webb Ad Blitz Hits a Higher Gear

Phil Singer, a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman, predicted that the GOP ad would backfire.

"At a time when people are desperate for a change in policy in Iraq and the middle class is feeling squeezed, they want to hear solutions that are going to work and not political potshots and ads like the ones Allen and his allies are putting up that are purely negative," Singer said.

Webb has launched two TV commercials, including one that features former governor Mark R. Warner (D). In that ad, the popular ex-governor describes Webb's background and concludes by urging voters to choose Webb.

"I know Jim Webb," Warner says, looking into the camera. "I know his independence. And I know he'll make us proud."

Dick Wadhams, Allen's campaign manager, said voters "are going to see lots of ads" between now and Nov. 7. "This is a race for the United States Senate. That is what races for the United States Senate have, lots of ads," Wadhams said. "But it is also important to note Senator Allen is traveling across the commonwealth on a very ambitious schedule, which he has done many times in the past."

Webb has also started running an ad that criticizes Allen's record of opposing increases to the minimum wage and allowing increases in college tuition, charges that Allen's campaign officials have denied.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has begun airing a commercial playing up Allen's loyalty to President Bush. It features Allen saying the phrase "stay the course" as an announcer says that "George Allen supports President Bush 96 percent of the time."

The ad continues: "Staying the course is not a strategy for victory in Iraq. And voting 96 percent with Bush won't move our country forward."