From the Northern Virginia Daily

Monday, November 5, 2007

Allen visits Winchester to support Republican ally Holtzman Vogel
By Elizabeth Wilkerson -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Former Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen was in Winchester Saturday to help Republican Jill Holtzman Vogel commence the final 72 hours of her state Senate campaign.

Holtzman Vogel, along with independent Donald Marro and Democrat Karen Schultz, is seeking to succeed retiring Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr., R-Winchester, in the traditionally Republican 27th District.

"You have no idea how exciting it is" to have reached the Saturday before "the Tuesday," Holtzman Vogel told a group of supporters and volunteers Saturday morning at the start of her campaign's 72-hour "Get Out the Vote" effort. "We will reach our people, and we will turn them out."

Allen, who was accompanied by his wife, Susan, and daughter, Brooke, said "the leaves are all beautiful," but that he really liked the "blue and white Vogel signs" outnumbering others along his route into Winchester.

"Every team needs everybody pitching in," and those who "show up" Tuesday will control the outcome of the election, Allen said. "The world is controlled by people who show up," he said.

Allen said Holtzman Vogel "understands the issues," such as education and illegal immigration.

"We're for legal immigration, but we're also for the rule of law," and lawmakers should not be rewarding illegal behavior with amnesty, he said. Also, Holtzman Vogel knows the importance of training local law enforcement to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he said.

Violating immigration law is a federal offense, "but guess what, bank robbery is a federal crime, as well," he said, adding that local law enforcement wouldn't ignore a bank robbery and, instead, "have someone call the FBI." Law enforcement agencies work together, he said.

"We need leadership [at the state level], because, at the national level, they're not doing the job," he said of illegal immigration.

The next 72 hours are the "final two-minute drill," and "all of you need to execute," he told the group. The volunteers need to reach Holtzman Vogel's target group, he said, which includes anyone who pays taxes, works for a living or cares about their children and the community.

Allen presented Holtzman Vogel a $1,000 campaign donation, and she thanked him and the crowd for their support.

"I truly believe we will win on Tuesday, but it's every door and every person we can find," she said.

Cries of "Go, Jill!" broke out before the group headed into the streets of Winchester to visit businesses and knock on doors in hopes of drawing more supporters to Tuesday's polls. A truck circling the area encouraged passers by to "Vote Vogel Now."

Along the way, Allen popped into several businesses on the walking mall, including Bartley's Shoe Repair, where he once had his trademark cowboy boots repaired. As Allen and Holtzman Vogel chatted with owner Rick Pomenta, 7-year-old Elizabeth Price ran into the store to tell her that supporters outside had just gotten her another vote.

"That's how we're going to get them — one at a time," Holtzman Vogel told Elizabeth. Holtzman Vogel's husband, Alex Vogel, said Elizabeth has been one of his wife's "most fervent supporters."

Jeanne Price, Elizabeth's mother, said she has been involved in Holtzman Vogel's campaign since January. Price, of Stephens City, said she volunteered because she "believes in everything [Holtzman Vogel] stands for."

Both Elizabeth and Price's other daughter, Kate, who is 9 years old, were involved by their mother. Though they are young, they "understand what a lot of the issues are," Price said.

Mike Spellings, a spokesman for Holtzman Vogel's campaign, said about 50 campaign volunteers were roaming the streets Saturday, and that a total of about 70 would work during the 72-hour program. Volunteers were also hitting the streets in Warrenton and Loudoun County, he said.