Webb question on Plotkin chat at WashPost

By: Loudoun County Dem
Published On: 5/23/2006 2:38:00 PM

Hmmm... who do we know from Fairfax that might want to load a question against Jim Webb? Bueller? Anyone? Anyone?

Fairfax, Va.: Hi Mark!

I+óGé¼Gäóm frustrated. I need your take on the Virginia Democratic race. First, nice work with the Webb interview. Even though many Webb-loyal bloggers criticized you for being too tough on Webb, I thought you were just as tough on Miller when he was interviewed. You remain one of the best political interviewers we have in this town!

That said, I heard from the Webb campaign that they were infuriated at you and that Webb himself had made a few negative remarks to you after the interview. Is that true, and is the debate still on for June 9th? If yes, then why were they so upset with you?

Also, what is your take on the recent debate during Joel Rubin+óGé¼Gäós show in Norfolk? Bloggers are having a flame war over Webb+óGé¼Gäós +óGé¼+ôanti-Christ+óGé¼-¥ remark to Miller (who is Jewish) and when Webb lost his temper to Miller and barked, +óGé¼+ôIf you shut your mouth+óGé¼-ª+óGé¼-¥? That debate did not seem to be Webb+óGé¼Gäós finest moment, or am I wrong?

The more I hear and read about Webb, he seems terse, at best. Is the pressure of the campaign finally getting to Webb, is this something to not worry about, or is this his personality? Character and values matter, and I worry that if Webb cannot handle this, or he is ill-tempered to begin with, then Allen may have a very easy time getting re-elected.

I was initially a big Webb supporter but now I+óGé¼Gäóm on the fence here, so please help me out on this one. Thanks!

Mark Plotkin: Thanks for the kind words. I might not have been as tough with Miller but Miller was the only candidate at that time. Webb hadn't entered the race. I thought that Webb's remark at the end of our show where I invited him to come on for a debate on Friday, June 9, and he said on the air, "Hopefully, there'll be a neutral interrogator," was out of line, unnecessary, inaccurate and unfair.

He's very tightly wound and seemed pretty humorless and I think that facet of his personality is not helpful to say the least, for a candidate new to politics and who's introducing himself to the electorate.

I'm aware of the show in Norfolk. I was not aware of the "anti-Christ" remark and I'll call Joel Rubin and find out more about that.

Having said all this, I still think that Webb is now probably the favorite in the primary because Democrats in Virginia feel that he's the best candidate to beat George Allen. But Miller is counting on a small turnout where traditional primary voters will participate but Webb has "star appeal" and that in itself might be too much for Miller.

They both agreed to come to the Politics Program on June 9 for an hour, that's three days before the June 12 primary.


Comments



Here was a later response... (Loudoun County Dem - 5/23/2006 2:50:33 PM)
My post pointing out the context/facts surrounding the "Anit Christ" issue did not make the chat but this one did (I'm not sure it helped).

Arlington, Va: Mark,

Of all Washington Post chats, yours is easily the most prone to being hijacked by bloggers and party insiders.

Fairfax's lengthy screed about Jim Webb's temperament is a most obvious BS-piece posted by some Harris Miller flunky. "I used to be a big Webb fan but now I don't know!"

Please. Spare us.

I seem the same thing every week concerning Duncan/O'Malley ... these leading questions like "Will Doug Duncan gain once people take a hard look at Balimore crime?" or some such nonsense.

Love the chats, but man are you gullible.

Mark Plotkin: Hey, hey look, you don't know the ones I don't answer or respond to. I'm not that gullible. Maybe you're one of those guys. I guess I should be flattered that people read this stuff. The question concerning the Webs interview, I was eager to answer because I thought Webb's remarks were so off the wall. But I think most of the time I can sense the insiders using this venue to advance their own cause.



Wow, who knew Mark Plotkin was so thin skinned? (Lowell - 5/23/2006 2:52:13 PM)
Having listened to him for years, he certainly can dish it out.  I guess he doesn't like to take it, though.


We need to get the facts to Plotkin before the debate... (Loudoun County Dem - 5/23/2006 3:02:48 PM)
We need to make certain that Plotkin has the truth about the misinformation on the "anti christ"/anti semite cannard (including a link or copy of the original article that Webb to which Webb was referring), the misinformation about Webb's position on Afirmative Action,  and Webb's endorsements so when Miller attempts to slur him Plotkin can at least be a fair judge.

Maybe we can try to get a pro-Webb question into his chat next week.



RE: Taken for a ride in the spin cycle . . . (JPTERP - 5/23/2006 6:32:24 PM)
That's right, Plotkin was badly spun on this one.  First, he was buttered up, then he swallowed the Miller talking point hook-line-and-sinker.  The big news on this one is that Fairfax, VA (i.e. Harris Miller) was planning to vote for Jim Webb--perhaps we could add this one to the list of endorsements.  "I was initially a big supporter, but now I'm on the fence. . ."  I love the "please help me decide" appeal.  Miller sets Plotkin up with a loaded question, then asks for help in making his decision--AND YET Plotkin still says Webb represents the best chance to beat Allen.  Ouch.