Two Loudoun County Democrats weigh in

Dear Friends and fellow Dems, 

We may have an opportunity to unseat Senator George Allen on his way to running for President of the United States.  The question is how may we best exploit this political opportunity?

We have two candidates in our Democratic primary fighting hard for that nomination and who want to take on Senator Allen, promising to stop him dead in his tracks.  In a traditional sense, as Democratic activists, each of us likely has legitimate reservations about the fine candidates who are seeking that nomination:

- Harris Miller is an old friend and party loyalist who has paid his dues, and knows the ropes, but, over the years as a lobbyist, he has contributed to the Republican Speaker of the House and supported, as a lobbyist, both legislation and policy that doesn+óGé¼Gäót suit our political taste.

- Jim Webb is a former Republican appointee who has supported Republicans including Senator Allen, and he is a political novice who comes late to our Democratic party.

So, how do we choose a nominee when we may have differences with each of the candidates? 

We suggest you choose the candidate best able to carry our message to the Democratic loyalists, to the Independents, and to those disenchanted Republicans who, according to the polls, are looking long and hard at what this Administration and Senator Allen are doing wrong.

We believe that Jim Webb is that candidate and we propose to tell you why.

Jim was one of those Reagan Democrats, the kind of working class, nationalistic voters who used to vote Democratic.  Jim is, however, returning to the Democratic party at a time when other Republicans, in local and national elections, are coming home to the Democratic party. 

We can all read the shifting polls in response to the daily news disasters occasioned by this Administration and by Senator Allen.  We are at a political turning point in American history and we have a grand opportunity to make a difference for the better.

Republicans are coming home because Democrats are talking sense, common sense that they understand, about the war and a host of other issues, and because no one can abide those social conservatives in the Republican party who insist on interfering in our private and personal business.

Jim is returning home to the Democratic fold and, in doing so, by his actions, he becomes an example and a voice for others who are bridging that metaphorical distance from their last Republican vote to their first vote for a Democratic candidate.

Jim is an outsider, no question about it, and that+óGé¼Gäós a good thing in a year when the +óGé¼+ôinside-the-beltway+óGé¼-¥ political cronies are awash in corrupt self-dealing. 

Jim is an outsider with the military credentials to speak with authority about the failed war in Iraq, and to criticize it in a way that Senator Allen cannot. 

Jim brings with him other +óGé¼+ôoutsiders+óGé¼-¥ as well, generals, who support Jim and enhance his crucial message that we are pursuing a failed policy in the Middle East.

As a decorated Vietnam veteran and a former Navy Secretary, Jim can explain why, as a political novice, as an outsider, that we are off track in Iraq, why we have to find, in Governor Kaine+óGé¼Gäós words, +óGé¼+ôa better way+óGé¼-¥ to bring America home to its core values

The Chair of our party, Howard Dean, once said we Dems had to learn to speak to guys with gun racks in their pick-up trucks.  We believe that Jim can do that and a lot more.  Sure Jim is still rough around the edges as a candidate.  But he will get better and, most importantly, he can and will win in the Fall +óGé¼GÇ£ if we give him the chance.

The turnout for this primary is going to be pitifully small.  Only a few voters will choose our candidate.  Ask yourself when you go to vote, who can win in November and replace George Allen?  We think it+óGé¼Gäós Jim Webb.  We hope you agree.

Dave Williams, former Secretary of the LCDC
John P. Flannery, former Chair of the LCDC

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