Falls Church News-Press Endorses Jim Webb

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/7/2006 9:40:46 PM

Today's Falls Church News-Press endorses Jim Webb for U.S. Senate.  Here are the relevant paragraphs (bolding added for emphasis):

It+óGé¼Gäós really very simple. The Achilles heel of the Republican Party in the mid-term elections this November is Iraq. Yes, there are other issues, but in the minds of the American people, it is the worsening fiasco of Iraq , and everything associated with it, that could trigger one of the biggest electoral upheavals in American history this November, rudely dismissing the GOP and placing the Democrats back into control of both the House and Senate.

In the move to pull this off, the Democrats must be bold, decisive and fresh. It is no time for the old politics, no time for the tired internal arguments of who is more deserving by yesterday+óGé¼Gäós standards to be its party+óGé¼Gäós nominees going into the fall. Choices should be based on who can inflict the mightiest blows at that vulnerable Achilles heel, who can best make the GOP pay most dearly for its misdirection of the American public and the American interest in Iraq , and subsumed by that, by all its other travesties.

In this anticipated national full court press, Virginia may offer up a champion next Tuesday in the statewide Democratic primary, if James Webb can emerge victorious. This moderate retired military professional and former Republican, a Secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration, was an outspoken critic of the Iraq invasion from the very beginning and, as such, is just the kind of person who can inflict the maximum damage on GOP incumbent and presidential hopeful Sen. George Allen in November. Moreover, with his credentials, he can be a powerful symbol, nationally, representing the broad-based, bipartisan contempt now held by a wide majority of the American people for President Bush and the GOP+óGé¼Gäós responsibilities for the amazingly disastrous Iraq mess.

This is hardly a time for Democrats in Virginia to weigh their choice next Tuesday between Mr. Webb and party regular Harris Miller on the basis of petty and secondary concerns. It is especially inappropriate and nearsighted for some to claim that Webb+óGé¼Gäós past Republican involvements should be held against him now. On the contrary, in our view it is not so much that there is anything wrong with Mr. Miller, as there is very much that is right about Mr. Webb as, potentially, a fresh and powerful standard bearer in a sweeping national revolt.

Wow.  Have the editors of the Falls Church News-Press been reading the Virginia Democratic blogs?  Sounds just like some of 'em. :)


Comments



Washington Post (demo925 - 6/7/2006 9:58:45 PM)
I think this paper's endorsement is so much more important than  the Post.  Lowell will you do an analysis on the endorsement success of the FC News Press?


You are welcome to do so. (Lowell - 6/7/2006 10:00:18 PM)
Enjoy!


"Sweeping National Revolt" (loboforestal - 6/7/2006 10:03:57 PM)
We'll definitely get the Service Employees Union endorsement !!!


No question... (Dan - 6/7/2006 10:33:21 PM)
...that Webb is the right guy.  The issue is each of us doing everything we can to help.  Even if you take 2 hours of your time in the next 5 days, it will make all the difference.  Head to the nearest Webb volunteer office to get materials.  Hand out flyers, make phone calls.  ANYTHING YOU CAN!  This is not just a chance to get Webb the primary win, it is a chance to help every race in Virginia.  It is a chance to knock Allen out of the Presidential Race.  Remember, if you think President GW Bush is bad, just wait until you meet President Allen.  We need to do everything we can, because this race on Tuesday means a whole lot more than most people think.


Better than a BLOG (Tony Mastalski - 6/7/2006 11:03:22 PM)
Hate to say it Lowell ... but these guys have wrapped up the Webb impact quite nicely .... Of course they could have check it with RK back in January as their source material!! They've really nailed Harris Miller campaign on the head,

Let's make it come true!!



I like this a lot... (Maura in VA - 6/7/2006 11:22:59 PM)
On the contrary, in our view it is not so much that there is anything wrong with Mr. Miller, as there is very much that is right about Mr. Webb as, potentially, a fresh and powerful standard bearer in a sweeping national revolt.

This is a great line and a really powerful endorsement.  I think if Nick Benton had been cribbing from the blogs, the editorial would have focused much more on laundry lists of who's endorsed whom and what's wrong with both candidates.  In contrast, this was a refreshingly positive editorial that didn't bash Miller at all, but focused on the idea that Miller is fine but Webb is "fresh and powerful", a better choice.



News-Press Endorsement (lmdiamond - 6/7/2006 11:42:48 PM)
I live in Falls Church.  I find this quite interesting.  It doesn't surprise me that the News-Press would endorse Webb, but there has been at least the appearance of division in the community and the piece is quite strong.  I love the way they cut to the heart of the matter.

Kudos and thanks to the paper for doing this.



Too Bad Nick Benton Didn't See This Article (VADem4Ever - 6/8/2006 11:07:38 AM)
Too bad Nick Benton of the Falls Church freebie weeklie didn't see this article before he wrote his editorial.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/062006/06082006/197593

How can anyone say the Falls Church paper is more important that The Washington Post editorial endorsing Miller?



Flier Controversy (lmdiamond - 6/8/2006 2:23:29 PM)
It is a stupid flier. I don't like it at all, but they've acknowledged the problem.  Get over it.