BY WESLEY P. HESTER

How do Virginia’s U.S. Senate candidates feel about the looming debt-ceiling debate in Congress?

Well, Republican tea party candidate Jamie Radtke has been unambiguous on the issue, calling any increase a “sign of insanity.”

Radtke has been hammering on the issue for months, saying that refusing to raise the ceiling would force long overdue spending cuts. 

“Americans know that raising the debt ceiling is akin to a hopelessly insolvent individual raising his credit card limit instead of addressing the underlying problem of spending beyond his means,” she said in a release.

Democratic candidate Timothy M. Kaine has just sounded off also, suggesting that not raising the ceiling would be the true sign of insanity.

“If Congress fails to reach an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, it will cripple our economy, halt our recovery, undermine our ability to do business with other nations and end up costing taxpayers more in the long-run,” Kaine said in a statement.

Kaine called on Democrats and Republicans to set aside differences and commit to long-term deficit reductions rather than using the debt ceiling vote as political leverage.

“Unlike previous Congresses that have taken the irresponsible step of raising the debt ceiling while actually voting to increase the deficit, this Congress must focus on solutions that guarantee we don’t find ourselves in this situation again,” he said.
That brings us to George Allen, who, as a member of a previous Congress, did in fact vote for a debt ceiling increase. But this time, Allen’s balking at another increase unless coupled with significant cuts.

“Before there is any vote to increase the debt ceiling, Democrats must allow the Senate to vote on a balanced budget amendment and make immediate and meaningful cuts in wasteful spending,” Allen said. “More than ever, restraint and a healthy dose of discipline is needed to control how Washington spends taxpayer money.”