ROANOKE -- Less than two weeks away from Election Day, U.S. Sen. George Allen spent Thursday mingling with potential voters in downtown Roanoke, making sure they knew he supported a proposed amendment to change the Virginia Constitution's Bill of Rights and prohibit gay marriage.

Flanked by reporters, Allen first strolled through the City Market, shaking hands and touting his various stances. Later, he appeared with three pastors before 250 people at Hollins Road Baptist Church to extol the merits of Ballot Measure No. 1, which would add the state's ban on gay marriage and civil unions to the constitution.

Allen's appearance in Roanoke came a day after the New Jersey Supreme Court told state legislators they must write laws offering same-sex couples the same rights as opposite-sex couples.

"The marriage protection amendment for our commonwealth of Virginia is more important than ever before because of that New Jersey decision," Allen said. "It should remind people why this is important, so unelected judges do not supplant their elitist liberal views over the desires, the wisdom, the values and the virtues" of the people of Virginia, he said, to a chorus of "amens" and applause.

Allen recast his entire political career as governor and legislator, from welfare reform to the abolition of parole, as an effort to protect the family, which he said is the core unit of society.

Allen's opponent, James Webb, said he opposes the proposed amendment. On Monday, Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, who voted for the amendment earlier this year and narrowly lost the statewide election for attorney general last year, said he now opposes it because he worries its wording could affect citizens' legal rights.

Allen dismissed those worries.

"I think that's subterfuge and trying to cloud up the issue," he said. "The issue is very clear: Do you believe marriage should be between one man and one woman? I believe that is the way marriage should be defined."

Prior to his appearance at the church, Allen spent nearly an hour visiting the market, where he encountered both supporters and detractors.

He spoke to a group of television and radio reporters in front of the City Market Building where he spoke about the New Jersey ruling and tried to link Webb with northern Senate Democrats such as John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, the latter of whom endorsed Webb earlier this month.

He stopped briefly at the Roanoke Weiner Stand before making his way past the outdoor vendors, where Susan Smith of High Peak Sportswear presented him with a Virginia Tech baseball cap.

"You're in Hokie country," Smith told Allen, once a quarterback for Tech's arch rival, the University of Virginia.

As he strode past Kirk Avenue, he stopped and leaned in the window of Lynda Hagee's white car. The Stewartsville resident told Allen, "I hope you win." In turn, he offered her a bumper sticker, which he then affixed to her car.

Michelle Bennett, who works for Center in the Square, watched from a distance.

"I just wanted to hear what he has to say," Bennett said. "I have real problems with his views on the marriage amendment and various other things, but I just thought I'd come down and see him in a person."

At High Peak Sportswear, Allen briefly defended himself against allegations of racism in his youth before attacking Webb for calling affirmative action "state-sponsored racism."

Allen paused in front of the restaurant Trio to speak to bartender Dan Mock and manager Bobby Simpson, telling them he was working on a program that would allow small-business owners to band together and purchase health insurance at a lower price.

"I really wanted to talk to him about parking here," Mock said. "I've already got health insurance, but I didn't want to interrupt him while he was doing his spiel."

Allen's final stop before he left for the church was the Corporate Image Barber Shop, where he received a trim from Shelby Tucker.

"Just a very slight trim around my ears and sideburns," Allen instructed. "You don't have to worry about the back. I don't want hair down my neck."

He asked what he owed, but Tucker declined.

"Since it's your victory trim," she said. "So we'll let you slide."

Allen walked out the door and spoke to an aide for a moment, then reappeared with payment despite Tucker's protests.