From today's Washington Post chat with WTOP "Politics Hour" host Mark Plotkin, here are Plotkin's thoughts on Jim Webb:
Alexandria, Va.: What are Jim Webb's chances of realistically winning the VA Primary? If he wins this, do you think he stands a chance against Allen in November?Thanks!
Mark Plotkin: I'll have a better opinion of Jim Webb's chances after I talk to him on Friday on the Politics Program on 1500 AM at 10 a.m. He has, as I've said before, great potential because he can get votes that probably other Democrats running in Virginia can't get. But he has to out-organizise Harris Miller on June 13, the date of the Virginia primary. You can be a star and have great national appeal, create a media buzz but still not do the necessary things to win an election. I think Miller is going to concentrate on the fundamentals of getting elected and Webb shouldn't be smitten by his own headlines and news stories.
Arlington, Va.: James Webb's 1990 speech admiring the Confederate army, while not mentioned by The Post, is beginning to get some attention among blogs. Do you think this speech helps George Allen, by neutralizing the ability of Democrats to make an issue out of Allen's own past use of Confederate symbols?
Mark Plotkin: I don't know about this speech but tell me where to find it. My fax is 202-895-5331 or you can send it to me. Do it before Friday. Allen has addressed these questions before, the confederate banner in his home ... and he is vulnerable on this issue.
Arlington, Va.: You will be hosting Jim Webb on The Politics Program this Friday, and then a debate between Webb and Harris Miller on June 9. What is your read on the Webb-Miller contest at the moment, especially in light of the fundraiser Mark Warner will be holding for Webb on Thursday night and the rumors of major endorsements upcoming for Webb by Sen. Harry Reid and others?
Mark Plotkin: Thanks for the tip on a possible Warner endorsement and a fundraiser. I'll definitely check that out.
Final point: It'll be interesting to see whether Warner will do TV ads or mailings for Harris Miller.
It should be an interesting interview on Friday morning at 10 AM. To listen and/or call in, click here for information.
So if anything, it illustrates the difference between them, to Webb's favor.
I supported Chap Petersen for Lt. Governor last year, a guy with a lot of potential who ran a mediocre primary campaign and came in third. Don't assume that Webb is going to win anything -- it's often the one who fights hardest, not necessarily the best candidate, who wins.
Um...apparently not. Seeing as he's doing a fundraiser for Jim Webb on Thursday, we can assume he won't do jack-sh*t to help Miller in the primary. Apparently, this dude is a wee-bit behind the times.
Or maybe I'm misreading this thing.
Why do we know more than the pros who are supposed to be doing their jobs? Does he have too much butt-kissing and watercooler time on his hands?
I agree, he should read the blogs, but come on; at this point, he seems barely able to keep up.