Robb polls even with Allen in Virginia's Senate contest

By Kate Snow/CNN

July 17, 2000
Web posted at: 6:19 p.m. EDT (2219 GMT)

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia (CNN) -- Virginia Sen. Charles Robb may be facing the toughest race of his political career.

The two-term Democrat squeaked by controversial Iran-Contra figure Oliver North in 1994, but is now being challenged by a popular former governor.

"I need to get out and meet as many people as I can, find a way to get out my message -- talk about some of the things that I have done over the last twelve years what I want to do over the next six years," said Robb.

Sen. Charles Robb, D-Virginia

Although Republican George Allen came on strong earlier this year and trounced Robb in some early polls, the race is a now considered a dead heat.

Both men are former governors, well-known throughout the state. Analysts say Allen is a true southern conservative, a pro-growth candidate who's been criticized for his environmental record and relationship with African-American leaders. Allen calls himself a common-sense Jeffersonian conservative who believes in a smaller role for the federal government.

"It's really appealing to everyone," he says. "We're not conceding any vote. We're not conceding a square inch of Virginia. We're going out and talking to all the people of Virginia."

He portrays Sen. Robb as a Washington insider who no longer relates to hard working Virginians. In recent weeks, Allen has seized high gas prices as an issue. Although Sen. Robb never voted for it at the time, Allen tells voters at gas stations the senator once voiced support for a 50-cent hike.

"He would've added $9 to that. You'd be paying $36 for this fill up rather than $26," Allen tells a potential voter filling up at the pump.

George Allen, R-Virginia Senate candidate

"Most of my Republican office holders and friends are more comfortable on the attack than they are defending ideas," Robb counters.

Rob's style is more subdued. Analysts say he's a middle-of-the-road Democrat. But one who may be more liberal than many of his constituents. He calls himself fiscally conservative but socially more progressive.

Robb says this election is a classic contest. Voters will see a clear cut choice at election time.

"I think that there are enough differences on the basic meat and potatoes issues, things like education we've already been debating at some length," says Robb. "Differences in the environment, differences in priorities as whether you build schools or prisons."

Allen has more cash on hand -- nearly $4 million dollars at last report. Robb's campaign has approximately $3 million.

Both candidates pledge to fight to the end. They're travelling the state from bike rallies to the tobacco farms of southwestern Virginia.

"It is one of the most competitive races in the country without a doubt," says ark Rozell, a political analyst at Catholic University. "We have two former governors, George Allen, the Republican, and Charles Robb, the Democrat. Two powerhouse candidates going at each other right now."

"All the polls indicate it's a close and competitive race," Rozell adds.

This close race may come down to which candidate can appeal to the moderate voters in the highly populated suburbs of Virginia