VA-Sen 2006: Blogs, Battles, National Implications

By: Josh
Published On: 5/8/2006 10:59:26 AM

Bob Gibson from the Daily Press has a nice writeup on the state of the Virginia Senate Race, today.

Here are a few choice lines from the article:

Virginia bloggers are fairly drooling over a matchup between Allen and Republican-turned-Democrat James Webb, an author and former Navy secretary under President Ronald Reagan.

For many reasons, the Virginia community on the World Wide Web seems to love Webb, viewing him as a heavier heavyweight than Democratic Party insider Harris Miller, his opponent in a June 13 primary for the nomination to challenge Allen.

Webb is picking up national endorsements in a fever, hotter than a peppered sprout.

Last week, Rep. John Murtha, a Pennsylvania congressman and anti-Iraq war icon, endorsed Webb along with three retired generals led by four-star Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni.

Northern Virginia bloggers are predicting that U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is preparing to endorse Webb.

A Reid endorsement would mean little in terms of votes in November but is one more sign that national Democrats and their money are ready to make Webb+óGé¼Gäós cause their own. Allen and Webb each would attract national party money by the boatload if they are in any sort of competitive contest by summer.

Gibson is one of the few reporters who actually, "gets it" when it comes to VA political blogs.  Allen v. Webb will be the marquis national battle this November.  That's certain.  Gibson gets it.  How is it that both of Harris Miller's supporters haven't figured that out yet?

If Democrats in Virginia are nailgun-to-the-forehead stupid enough to nominate Harris Miller to run against GeorgeBushAllen this year we will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  We will miss the chance to build the party, to extend the Democratic constituency in Virginia and take over the US Senate.  If we make this mistake, we don't deserve to be called Democrats.  Nobody that stupid deserves the chance to govern.

Comments



We Better Start Now (Mark - 5/8/2006 3:16:01 PM)
on a cooperative effort to drive turnout up for the reason you mentioned, plus the GOP crossover vote campaign.

It will take all of us to make this race as transparent as possible, and to get people to the primary. I know in 2004, there was a sizzling 5.5% voter turnout here in Cumberland County.

I will be using state party tools to try to reasch out to everyone I can.



Mark (Josh - 5/8/2006 3:26:42 PM)
Are you going to the blogger conference again this year?


Yes (Mark - 5/8/2006 3:42:06 PM)
I am. I lost track of everybody last year when the after-conference mexican food was going on. I never found the restaurant.

You are going as well, I presume?



Yup... (Josh - 5/8/2006 4:05:19 PM)
Wouldn't miss it.  You and I should talk for a good while.  Big things brewin'.  You need to know all about.


Can it wait that long? (Mark - 5/8/2006 4:44:53 PM)
I am in a position to help; if it is that important, we better start soon.

email me if you want: beautiful_mind@hughes.net

I probably have a few things that you might not know either.



And if you see (Mark - 5/8/2006 4:46:17 PM)
or talk to Dan Grey, let him know I want to talk with him. I worked with him on Coordinated 2005 and the recount.


Anyone seen Ed Kilgore's newest entry? (Craig - 5/9/2006 2:16:49 PM)
He pretty much demolished Allen's limp defense for being enamored with all things Confederate despite not having any southern blood in him whatsoever.  Most of the points have been made here already, but a great read anyhow, and a revealing look at just how limp Allen's survival campaign really is.


Do you have a link? (Josh - 5/9/2006 4:26:47 PM)
it's obviously BS from Allen, but I'd like to give that article a read.


Here is the link... (Loudoun County Dem - 5/9/2006 4:43:15 PM)
http://newdonkey.blogspot.com/2006/05/allen-webb-and-confederacy.html