Allen, Webb Tour Va.; Wilder Backs Webb

But Wilder said yesterday that Bush's economic policies have benefited the rich while doing little for the poor and middle class.

"We need someone who will look out for individuals in all walks of life," Wilder said.

Wilder said he considers Allen a "close friend" but cannot support him because he is a reliable vote for GOP leaders in Congress. Wilder called Allen yesterday morning.

"I said to Senator Allen, I do not want to see two more years of absolute control by Republicans owning both houses [of Congress], because it will send the wrong message to the president that he is doing right, and what he is doing, in my judgment, is wrong," Wilder said.

Dick Wadhams, Allen's campaign manager, said that the senator understood.

"I don't think it is a big surprise that the Democratic mayor of Richmond would endorse the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate," Wadhams said. "But Senator Allen still respects Mayor Wilder and looks forward to working with him on issues as he had in the past."

Kaine and Warner have also cleared their schedules for the race's closing days to stump for Webb.

"This is a person who probably never thought about running for political office," Kaine told about 100 senior citizens gathered yesterday at the Fairfax, a community for retired military officers near Fort Belvoir. "But the times compelled him to step forward."

The retirees at the Fairfax were a mix of Democrats and Republicans, but they spoke Webb's language. The former Marine who led a platoon in Vietnam and was Navy secretary under President Ronald Reagan was introduced as "Mr. Secretary." When Webb said he had lived in "33 different houses" by the time he graduated from high school, many nodded.

Staff writer Michael D. Shear contributed to this report.