Vote on Senate Nears After Tumultuous Campaign

Here is a summary of where the two candidates stand on several key issues:

· Iraq: Webb, a Vietnam veteran, warned before the Iraq war started that it would turn out to be a mistake. He has been a frequent critic, saying that President Bush has bungled the aftermath of the invasion. He has rejected setting a specific date for withdrawal but has said the government should announce it has no long-term intentions to stay and should work with countries in the region more.

Allen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has for most of the campaign defended Bush and the war, saying that to "cut and run" would leave the oil-rich country a haven for terrorists. In recent weeks, however, Allen has moderated his rhetoric, saying that "mistakes have been made" and aligning with Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), who has characterized U.S. policy as "drifting sideways."

· The economy: Allen has focused on energy independence, urging consideration of oil drilling off the Atlantic Coast and the development of soy diesel. He has also talked about the need to educate more math and science students to compete with other countries. Webb has adopted a populist theme, talking about the disparity between the rich and the poor and the need to close corporate tax loopholes.

· Taxes and trade: Allen has accused Webb of wanting to raise taxes, citing criticisms that the Democrat made of the tax cuts Bush championed early in his term. Webb has said he supports middle-class tax cuts that are broadly applied, but not narrow tax cuts just for wealthy citizens. Allen vigorously supports free trade, while Webb has criticized the movement of jobs overseas.

· Social issues: Webb opposes the state constitutional amendment that would outlaw gay marriage, saying it would go too far toward outlawing contracts between unmarried people. He favors abortion rights and supports gun rights. Allen supports the marriage amendment, saying the nation's most important institution is "the family." Allen is antiabortion and also supports gun rights.

· Immigration: Allen talks frequently about the need to close the border with Mexico with a fence and does not support plans to grant what he calls "amnesty" to illegal immigrants already in the country. Webb has said the immigration problem is the result of a federal failure to control the border.

· Education: Allen and Webb say they support the goals of No Child Left Behind, but they disagree over how the federal law has played out. Webb says schools need more federal funding to fulfill mandates to test students and narrow achievement gaps. Allen, who voted for the landmark legislation five years ago, now argues that states need more flexibility in how they grade schools. Neither candidate supports repeal of the law.