I would ask him... If elected, what will you do to encourage small business growth in northern Virginia?

Great question, Michael. We'll add it to the list. Since he has been senator before, I also wonder what he would do differently from his first term to grow small business, given today's economy.

I would ask him what has he learned after winning an election, losing an election and now running again? Also, what are his views on drilling off the coast of Virginia?

Ask him what he learned from the "Macaca Incident" that almost certainly cost him the election six years ago. And with all due respect for Michael's question, those kind of questions get highly scripted answers, including something about how deficient his opponent is on the same. Ask him questions that he doesn't have scripted answers to or questions that are very specific (i.e. Do you believe in global warming? How would you vote for a "Personhood Amendment"?) And then be just as tough on Kaine! Otherwise, it's a photo op and some free publicity for those guys.

Unofficial Winners - May 1, 2012

Manassas Council - Wolfe, Way, Lovejoy

Manassas School Board - Chavez, Albrecht, Bushnell,Purdy

Who cares about this washed-up has-been from the past ?

Well
He had two chances. Gov. and US Sen. And like The Great Gilmore he is just another dog and poney show like they all are. They just like the lime light. Smoke and mirrors.

When I saw him at the GW parade in February, his wife Susan said he "didn't care" about abortion. Please ask him whether he supports a women's right to choose, and whether he supports mandatory force transvaginal ultrasounds prior to obtaining an abortion.

Okay, so Allen gaffed with his Macaca comment, it was the press that made a bigger deal out of it than it was. I just think that Allen would represent Virginia’s interest much better than Kaine.

“Crackers” Mr. Smartypants? Two wrongs don’t make a right. As for the rest of your gratuitous assertions, I think they fit your screen name well….

The word "macacaphony" comes to mind when I think of Allen and his verbal meanderings...

I hope Frank Wolf comes to this boring event as well. Two wind bags that say nothing, do nothing and still hope people will come vote for them. Time for new blood in the Senate. This guy is from an era we would all like to forget.

In this picture on the patch web site, Allen looks like a lounge lizard. Hey i'm here every Thursday night. try the veal!! We need to forget this old act.

I love how "just the facts" posts nothing but opinions and insults. I guess he chose his screen name out of a need for irony?

If you still have an AOL.com email address that you actually use... you've probably been in a coma since 1997.

Calling an Indian American a "macaca" would be the equivalent of calling a Filipino a "chink." It doesn't work, which is why I think it truly was a gaffe. Caca is a term I learned from Portuguese relatives to mean "poop." Maybe THAT is what he meant. Really, I think he mistakenly blended sounds together, probably while agitated, and out came a word that just happened to mean something in Belgian Congo--a place that has nothing to do with George Allen or the man he was referring to.

Patch: PLEASE do not ask any questions related to science using the term "believe". Issues of scientific patterns, etc. are not about "believing". They are based on empirical evidence. Also, "climate change" is really a better term.

ALLEN, ON OFFSHORE DRILLING: “…would push vigorously to cut through federal red tape to allow drilling for oil and natural gas off Virginia’s coast. More than a third of the royalties could be used for road and transportation improvements, he said."

QUESTION FOR ALLEN: Royalties would be great for transportation—especially increased RAIL. BUT AT WHAT COST to Virginia’s beaches, hundreds of thousands of tourism and fishing jobs, Naval installations and operations, Wallops Island (NASA), and more than $5 billion in annual economic activity along the coast?
In short:
IS DRILLING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE COASTAL ECONOMY WE HAVE?

QUESTIONING POTENTIAL SENATORS IS NOT A JOKE.
The macaca incident was a fluke and fiasco in many ways.
George Allen does need to answer significant questions, and we citizens need to ask substantial questions to get a measure of the man's grasp of facts and his interest in fact-based decision making. Certainly the global warming, "war on women" issues mentioned by Gail, offshore drilling, and small business are good.

While the "macaca" incident was blown way out of proportion (have you NEVER used a phrase you grew up with unconsciously, and then regretted it? I have.), both candidates have significant records that indicate their beliefs on real issues.

Questions for BOTH candidates should include:
- What specific steps will you follow to ensure the Congress can focus on its primary role and not remain locked in partisan politics?
- In priority order, what are the top five issues on which you would focus. How will you respond to those who attempt to overwhelm the calendar with non-priority issues?
- Explain where you draw the line between federal and states' rights in such issues as law enforcement, immigration, marriage, women's health, gun control, and entitlement programs.