Allen hired as Reagan scholar; Former senator will give speeches for conservative group
Wednesday, March 21st, 2007Richmond Times Dispatch
Former Sen. George Allen will give talks on college campuses, write op-ed pieces and promote the ideas of President Ronald Reagan for a conservative political group.
The 55-year-old Virginia Republican is joining the Herndon-based Young America’s Foundation as its Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar for 18 months, the foundation said yesterday. The post is a part-time job. The foundation would not say what Allen will be paid.
“This is just absolutely perfect for me,” Allen said, emphasizing that Reagan “inspired me personally to public service” when he asked Allen to chair Young Virginians for Reagan in 1976.
In the job, Allen said, he will be “espousing and advocating the principles and ideals I have shared through the years with Ronald Reagan.”
The Young America’s Foundation, a nonprofit group, purchased the former Reagan ranch in California, which served as a western White House when Reagan was president. It also operates the Reagan Ranch Center, which a foundation spokesman called a “schoolhouse for Reaganism,” in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Allen, who had been exploring a possible presidential bid, was defeated last year in his Senate re-election campaign by Democrat Jim Webb.
“We are eager for [Allen] to share Ronald Reagan’s freedom philosophy with audiences,” said Ron Robinson, president of Young America’s Foundation, in a statement dated today.
“His stalwart defense of individual freedom, free markets and limited government makes him an excellent addition to Young America’s Foundation leadership team.”
In a telephone interview, Allen deflected questions about interest in future elective office. “I want to have a dialogue with people across America on what are important goals and ideas for the future of our country,” he said.
The job will not be exclusive, Allen said, alluding to unnamed opportunities that he said he would reveal when the right time comes.
He will serve on the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors. It is chaired by Frank Donatelli, who was a special assistant to Reagan. Donatelli is executive vice president and director of federal public affairs for McGuireWoods Consulting, a subsidiary of Richmond-based McGuireWoods law firm, where Allen was a partner after he was Virginia governor.
Kate Obenshain Griffin sits on the board of the Young America’s Foundation. She is a former chairwoman of the Virginia Republican Party. She served as Allen’s Senate chief of staff after his re-election defeat.
The job will give Allen a forum for addressing issues of the day and discussing Reagan’s legacy, and it will allow him a platform for staying visible if he chooses to run for office again.
Allen’s work will include doing a monthly radio show and representing the foundation in events that celebrate Reagan milestones, such as his birthday and the fall of the Berlin Wall, a foundation spokesman said.
