GOP Candidates Grapple with 47 Percent

In Virginia's Senate debate on Thursday, George Allen became the latest down-ballot Republican to face questions about Mitt Romney and the "47 percent." His answer: Americans need jobs.

"I have my own point of view," the GOP Senate candidate said during his televised debate with Democrat Tim Kaine, when asked if he agreed with Romney's comments.

"My point of view is the people of America still believe in the American dream," Allen said, adding that it's the responsibility of public servants to ensure that "everyone has that equal opportunity to compete and pursue their dreams."

Republican officeholders and candidates have faced a wave of questions about Romney's comments, clandestinely recorded at a fundraiser in Florida, that large swaths of America see themselves as "victims" and lack "personal responsibility." NBC's David Gregory, the debate's moderator, asked Allen multiple times whether he shares Romney's view, and what he would do as senator to address the needs of that "47 percent."

Read about Republicans distancing themselves from Romney .

Allen sought to avoid addressing Romney's specific quotes, instead striking a positive tone while mentioning welfare reforms during his tenure as governor and praising job growth as benefiting all Americans.

"The best indicator of what somebody will do in the future is what they've done in the past," Allen said. "My view is the best social program is a job."

Kaine, the Democratic former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, fired back.

"I don't think the question of whether you agree with governor Romney's comments is hard. I think it is very straightforward," Kaine said, calling Romney's comments "divisive."

Virginia's Senate race is one of the nation's more closely watched, and it mirrors the presidential race in the state, with both Kaine and Allen hewing closely to their party's national messages and platforms. A recent CBS/New York Times/Quinnipiac poll showed Kaine leading Allen 51 - 44 percent.

Allen returned to Romney's numbers game in his closing statement-sort of.

"I figure 99 percent oughtta be on our side-anybody who uses electricity, anybody who drives a car ? anybody who pays taxes, anybody who wants a job," Allen said, citing higher utility and gas prices under President Obama and the Democratic Senate.

Republicans are jumping on an earlier Kaine comment as an opportunity to flip the tables on Democrats by arguing that Kaine, also a former Governor, wants to raise taxes on the very people that are the most vulnerable in our society by saying he would be open to a plan that includes a minimum tax.

Here is that exchange between Kaine and moderator David Gregory:

GREGORY: Do you believe that everyone in Virginia should pay something in federal income tax?

KAINE: Well, everyone pays taxes! I mean, the statistics that have come out..

GREGORY: I'm asking about federal income taxes.

KAINE: I would be open to a proposal that would have some minimum tax level for everyone, but I do insist, many of the 47 percent that Gov. Romney was going after pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than he does.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gop-candidates-grapple-47-percent-180924829--abc-news-politics.html

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