...and I'll say it again: now that Webb's in the running, Miller's candidacy is as good as dead.  The smears he released didn't stick because a lot of Democrats stuck up for Webb, and Webb is already (likely) ahead in the signature game, meaning he has more grassroots support, and in primaries that really counts.

I stand by my prediction of 1 month ago: Webb will be the Dem nominee.

I disagree. The smears hurt Webb pretty badly.

Until Miller's attacks on Webb's AA beliefs, Webb practically had the nomination wrapped up.  Now?  Ehh...not so much.  Now it's competetive again.

more and more into that cash!

Webb has a bunch of big fundraisers coming up.  Why would Miller want to keep digging into his own funds?  The only reason is he needs them.

Plus, he's running out of time to collect signatures.  Everything is due on pretty soon.  I know Webb will be turning in his stuff any day.

This is no time to be begging for signatures.  You have to put all your signatures into a book or collection, have your lawyers go over them, get them to the Board of Elections and the Party for verification.  It's a lot to do, with very little time left.

This really surprises me if Miller is short of petition signatures in Northern Virginia.

I went door to door and tapped friends for Webb sigs when on my own time but when we were doing any gathering as LCDC we offered Webb and Miller petitions (as well as Judy Feder). I remember a few voters who signed for Webb and skipped Miller but both seemed to be doing OK here in Loudoun County.

Isn't NOVA supposed to be Miller's base?

I think he has enough in NOVA.  Maybe he's still trying to reach 10,000 or something.  I don't know.

Does anyone know if Longmyer or Hurst is short? My wife is close to the Feder campaign and says that they are in good shape for sigs.

But can Hurst or Longmeyer afford a political consulting firm?  Can they afford to pay people to collect signatures?  I guess it's possible that it's one of them, but I would be VERY surprised.

I don't like the advertisement.  I wouldn't go unless I knew who it was.

is in great shape.

I spoke with Ken Longmyer yesterday and my understanding from him is that he has all the petitions he needs.

Loudoun County Dem: It's for Miller.

I wonder if Miller will use his lack of ability to find a cheap and reliable source of signature gatherers as a reason to support a change in the existing laws requiring signature gatherers to be qualified voters in Virginia?  Clearly it would be much more efficient to be able to outsource these jobs as well.

Sorry.  I didn't want to say that, but I couldn't help myself.

if Miller could outsource petition gathering to India, I'm sure he'd be thrilled to do it.  Same thing with voting, for that matter.  Hey, I've got an idea, how about we outsource lobbyists and trade association execs? :)

You are required to have 400 in each of 11 CDs and 10,000 overall.  Some quick math tells you that if you get 400 in all 11 CDs, that is still only 4,400.  You have to find another 5,600 somewhere, and since NoVA is the most Dem-rich zone of the state, it makes sense to search there.

Another possibility: maybe Miller isn't short, maybe he's is trying to blow out the petition drive and turn in 20,000 signatures as a publicity stunt: "See, I got 20,000 signatures and Jim Webb only got 14,000--I should be the candidate."

Just a thought.

But there are cheaper ways to do that.

Someone (who is pretty well-informed) told me that Miller will have about 12,000-13,000 signatures and Webb will have around 15,000-16,000.

But that most or all of Miller's 9th CD signatures came from the northeast part of the district.

Then maybe that's what Miller is doing in NoVA.  Maybe he's trying to make the numbers closer.

Yep, those are definitely Miller's hired guns. I turned in fifty-five signatures to them in beautiful downtown Blacksburg, where they had been standing all day to gather roughly... three hundred and seventy signatures. They better hope that all the signatures are valid, otherwise they might be in for some trouble. They're paying better rates than they started in our area though. I only got seventy-five cents a signature. Anyway, all I can say with that is... Go Webb!

I can't help but get a laugh out of that.  Miller's paid staffers are for Webb.

I think that tells you something! :)

But cash is cash is cash.  Miller would get the signatures regardless.  If you're already sold on Webb, why not drain Miller of his funds?

I, however, just couldn't do it.  I couldn't think of a nice thing to say about the guy that would actually help collect signatures.

$10,000 per signature?
$100,000 per signature?
$1 MILLION per signature?

How badly do you detest Miller?  There MUST be a price at which you can be bought, Dannyboy! :)

You should know at this point, buddy, that I can't be bought.  Period.

Though I do sympathize with Liberal Pi.  Hell, if it works for him, why not?  He needs the money.  And he's going to be voting for Webb regardless.  I guess I'm just not good enough to convince somebody of something I despise so much. 

Miller signatures and donating the Money to the Webb Camp.

I think Adam got me.  I'd be willing to do that.  Hell, I'd be inspired.  Bravo, my friend.  I stand corrected.