What a wonderful experience that must have been.  Thanks for telling us about it!

...when Miller (King of outsourcing) spoke of knowing how anxious people were about their job security I almost threw up in my mouth. Did Miller shout most of his speech? At Loudoun he seemed to equate volume with substance.

No he didn't shout through most of his speech.  The comments I heard were "droned on" and "said nothing about why we should vote for him."  Miller left during the event, and many people I spoke with told me they wondered if that was because he had decided it wasn't worth it to stay since the crowd was obviously not buying what he was selling. That may not have been it, but the fact that people were wondering that is telling.

...this must be very humiliating to him - 5 people at his announcement events versus hundreds for Webb; tepid applause (at best) for Miller versus enthusiastic standing ovations for Webb; hardly any supporters for Miller versus a large, powerful, versus a growing grassroots movement for Jim Webb.  Ouch.  Rejection is tough, but on such a public stage it must be even tougher.  The way to salvage this for Harris Miller?  Very simple.  Get up and give a speech announcing:

We fought the good fight, but we were beaten by a tough and talented opponent, along with his amazing army of dedicated, grassroots supporters.  Having watched Jim Webb the past 3 months, I have concluded that he is very impressive in just about every way.  Today I announce my full and unequivocal support for Webb's candidacy.  Together, we will defeat George Allen.  And together, we will take back this country.  Thank you.

Now THAT'S a speech which would get a standing ovation!!!

for Miller.  I have friends who work in a pretzel factory, flip burgers, drive tow trucks, all because their computer jobs were exported or taken by cheap imports.  One of my friends lives in PWC, is a talented programmer/developer, and lives on food stamps.  I feel bad for my friend.  I don't feel bad for Miller.

and worked in a steel mill before he became a mega-millionaire outsourcing lobbyist for Diebold, etc..  Why are you being so hard on him? Ha.

If Miller was born in Appalachia, then I was born on the South Pole!  He engaged in corporate human trafficking and indentured slavery.  I don't feel bad for him.

I lost 6 computer jobs in 2 years thanks to downsizing and tech companies going out of business.  After that I had no choice in my small town than to go blue-collar despite my MBA and 10 years of technology manamgement experience.

Getting up at 4am to make deliveries at the grocery store for a beverage wholesaler sucks just a little bit after getting used to the business casual world.  You do what you have to when economic conditions change, but those conditions are based on the choices made by people in power and the voters who put them there.

Josh,

I sympathize with you. Come to think of it some of my ups and downs in the tech field were probably due to this. It takes a real trooper to have survived in the tech field over the last 15 years.

But then, some haven't.

I'm actually back in technology, after being out of the industry for a few years I'm starting over, way below my previous pay and that's pretty painful, but we all learn our lessons and faith in America endures.

Oops.  (0.00 / 0) [delete comment]
I just posted a diary on the same topic.  Sorry for the duplication.  I put in a few more details from the event though, so people can read both I guess.  And we have different poll questions.
by: Susan Mariner @ May 04, 2006 at 20:46:37 MST
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It was the same last week at the Loudoun JJ Dinner...  (4.00 / 1) [delete comment]
...except that Webb went first. He mentioned that he was asked not to give his stump speech so he spoke extemporaneously about why he was running and why, when he thought it through, he knew he had to run as a Democrat - because the Democrats have always been the party of the people who had no voice.

Miller, of course, simply gave his stump speech which mostly consisted of what a great job Warner and Kaine have done (and this applies to him how?).

Webb converted all that were at my table, including a republican/ex military spouse (after dinner he was among the first in line to shake Jim's hand).
by: Loudoun County Dem @ May 04, 2006 at 21:11:01 MST
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THANK GOD!!!  (0.00 / 0) [delete comment]
"he knew he had to run as a Democrat - because the Democrats have always been the party of the people who had no voice."

Yes!  This is exactly what I say.  Do you see why I think Jim Webb is a great guy to help create a Democratic Majority?
by: DanG @ May 04, 2006 at 21:35:45 MST
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Poll: Who better to beat Allen  (0.00 / 0) [delete comment]
Hey there is a poll where you vote on who (Webb or Miller)has he best chance of unseating Allen.  You can also vote that you think neither has a chance of winning. Go to:

http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$39630

As of this moment 52% say Webb has the best chance of unseating Allen (out of 204 votes).
by: thegools @ May 04, 2006 at 22:38:56 MST
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A great article for Webb  (0.00 / 0) [delete comment]
A ringing review of Webb's candidacy is found at http://www.freemarketnews.com/Analysis/27/4744/2006-05-03.asp?wid=27&nid=4744
by: thegools @ May 04, 2006 at 22:59:04 MST
[ Parent | Reply | ]

As a life-long Democratic Party activist, I had the opportunity to see both Miller and Webb in person before deciding upon a candidate for our Democratic Primary on June 13th.  Frankly, after seeing them both, the contest was a blow-out.  Miller bombed: He was arrogant and he gave evasive answers on key issues such as the Iraq War, caring for veterans, and out-sourcing jobs.  In contrast, when Webb spoke in Arlington at his kick-off rally, he spoke clearly and convincingly.  Webb possesses the genuine people skills that Miller sorely lacks.  Thus, after looking at their positions on the issues and their ability to interact with people to share their vision, my hands-down choice for Virginia's next U.S. Senator is Jim Webb.  I’ll be searching for my old combat boots I wore in Iraq and Kuwait 15 years ago.  I’ll enthusiastically walk with Webb in my neighborhood anytime, because that’s what elections are all about – connecting with citizens at the local level who will then go to the polls and elect reasonable and responsible people who will then faithfully represent the interests of the people and our Constitution.

...to help take back our country from the arrogant, incompetent losers currently in charge.  And it starts right here in Virginia, with Jim Webb's defeat of "Bored George" Allen in November.  Let's. Do. It!!

He didn't get a real laugh at the LCDC JJ dinner with the joke, and he's still using it?

He didn't let the lack of a laugh stop him I guess.  I don't think he realizes just how insincere that joke makes him look.  One person told me he thought the joke showed contempt for the audience.  I just thought it showed that he's disconnected to people's thinking and emotions.  Also that he doesn't tell jokes well.  He might have been able to pull it off if he

He might have been able to pull it off if he were more of the comedian type. 

It just shows how disconnected Miller is to tell a joke about his wife having to flip burgers - uh and how many millions does he have?  It's insulting to people living paycheck to paycheck who actually really do have problems filling the tank, and actually may have to pick up a second job.
Jerk.  Reminds me of W.

He's a gazillionaire.  The gas prices are probably like a mosquito bite to this guy.  It itches, but that's about it.  What an out-of-touch ass.

if not so many tech workers weren't really flipping burgers for a living.