JC, Thadd and I put in many hours and many miles dropping lit and canvassing the museum disrict and the fan yesterday.  I can't tell you what else is happening.

As a side note-I have loads of lit in my car-will have it in Arlington, anyone needs any-just let me know.

Miller (and Feder) sent some for the polls but we don't have any from Webb. I was hoping to pick some up at the rally this afternoon so I will accept your offer.

Look of the 40 something Santa (graying, not white) in the Webb shirt.

Look FOR the 40 something Santa...

I would love to give you some, I have loads of it down here.  Go ahead and email me at jaimes2cool@yahoo.com, and I will give you a cell # so you definitely get the lit.  :)

Rob, you stole my scoop.  I was just writing up the Metro experience but you beat me to it.  Oh well,  here is the short version (not much shorter than the long version)...

Harris Miller Spreads Germs in Vienna!

Harris and his gang of two were at the Vienna metro this morning greeting people and handing out fliers.  Harris was shaking hands - an exersize in germ spreading if I ever saw one.  Ok, ALL politicians are guilty on this charge, but I had to have a little fun with the title.

I ran into a Webb guy (sorry, didn't catch the name) and he was in good spirits handing out Webb fliers.  Enviro-friendly union printed fliers.  He said the mixed reaction was mixed - and noted there were a good number of Republicans coming through.  Hopefully by November many of them will be on our side.

handed out 230 pieces of Webb literature.  Very positive reaction, overall, although most people are not interested in the primary at all.

I was there at the Vienna Metro this morning, volunteering for Harris Miller.

From 7am-9am, Harris Miller was there with 2 staffers.  There was a rotation (because people needed to get to work or they just dropped off their children at nearby schools) of 4 Miller volunteers who helped out (including me).  We were able to offer a newly released flyer and a copy of the full Washington Post endorsement on both sides of the Metro (both entrances).

Additionally, Don Beyer volunteered for an hour (7am-8am) at the Vienna Metro, wearing a Miller sticker, shaking hands, and seeing some familiar faces.

There was one Webb volunteer who did a real good job getting out his flyer, although he could only be at one entrance.  At one point, we said hello and (I think) shared a laugh at the craziness of the whole thing: inundating commuters with flyers, hand shakes, smiles, and all.

About a dozen volunteers stood in rain with Jim Webb and distributed over 1000 pieces of literature to employees in les than 1 and a half hours at the Newport News shipyard.It looks good down south on the Peninsula and Tidewater area.

Gene

...the poll at 25th & M street in the city of Richmond a densely African American neighborhood.  Lots of Miller signs and the black Miller poll worker seemed to know everyone and they were voting Miller.  That's the bad news.  The good news is that in three hours only about 40 people voted.

The Miller worker and I started out by having a verbal fist fight, but it got so lonely there with just the two of us that we quickly bonded and became best friends.  She shared with me that black people don't vote in primaries and all the black precincts in Richmond will have low turn outs.

I have been wandering Henrico County since 5am. I am now home to do GOTV for a few hours.

I started putting up signs around 5am and stopped at 9pm.
I did countless polling places. (And Mike helped!)

We did not see 1> A single Miller sign at a polling place 2> A single Miller worker.

We did see one Miller sign in the median of a random road.
We are having such a hard time keeping count of all of the Miller signs down here, HaHa!

I just voted. I was #4 and Mike was #5 for A-K at our polling place.

So that gives you an idea, if they keep at that pace, there will be maybe 40 people at my place voting.

Please excuse any typos or whatever, I am working on little sleep and not much brain power.

As of 10 AM, about 100 people had voted in the Democratic primary at Arlington Central Library.  I'd say 65% for Webb.  Overall, my guess is that Arlington will be strong for Webb.

didn't have any signs..., until I noticed that they had been placed at the wrong school, across the street. Duh!  I picked up the Webb sings and placed them at the correct school.  I left the Miller signs at the wrong school.

Just returned from the polls in Ashton Heights precinct.

A Washington Post Reporter was doing exit polls and said is was breaking 55% for Webb. I was voter #138 so was happy about that!!!!

She was also at Clarendon earlier and said it was also breaking Webb but at a slightly slimmer margin.

The precinct that I covered this morning only had 37 voters in the 1st 3 hours. Surprised at how angry Republicans can be in the morning.

Nasty critters.

I guess the GOP has a primary in Arlington, right?

Left my apt a bit before 6, hit about 7 polling places with lit and signs; I saw no one voting, and no signs.

The last place I went to did have signs, and a paid staffer.  He was super nice to me, and we laughed and chatted.  Then I came back to the city where I live, and got something to eat and filled up the car with gas. 

My analyis?

No one is voting in Richmond in this primary.  The people that are voting made up their mind a long time ago.  And, yes...the worst part is...there were some cars with Allen stickers on them, and people were getting into them after leaving the polls.  So, we'll see.

I voted this morning, and have an Allen sticker.  But cheer up - the GOP voters I know are all voting for Webb.

And yes, turnout has been extremely light. 

At 9am I was voter #82 in my precinct in Arlington.  There were lots of Webb volunteers handing out lit, one for Miller, but there were about 25 signs posted at the entrance.

Was #74 at my polling place in Arlington (Park Lane - vote at Key Elementary) at about 845am.  A few Miller signs and Webb signs nearby, and a Webb volunteer out front handing out cards (plus an Arlington dems volunteer with other materials).  Didn't get a chance to ask the volunteer how things were going, but I'd assume it echoes the other Arlington polling places.  I'd been nervous that Webb might struggle in "liberal" Arlington, so it's encouraging to hear how things seem to be falling.

I think Arlington swung for Webb a while ago.  The tough places for Webb today are Richmond (see the report above), Miller strongholds in Fairfax, and perhaps Moran strongholds of Alexandria.  I'm unsure about part of Hampton and the Penninsula - probably 50-50 at best.
Add to that the potential Allen supporter votes for Miller, and you have the problems facing a Webb victory. 

We'll see if Webb's strength - SWVa, Virginia Beach, Arlington and other pockets of NoVa - will be enough.

She voted this am. Her gut tells her Richmond is going to Miller based on her early morning conversations with some of the voters.

Miller by a landslide.  Sucks, but the race card worked, and I have heard some other things....more later.

I didn't get any numbers, but after I voted in South Arlington, where turnout was rather light, I went all the way up north to Rock Spring. Miller had a volunteer whom I know well. He convinced an undecided voter that Miller was the "real" Democrat.  When it was my turn, I said that it was time that we start rebuilding our party by bringing back Reagan Dems, etc. The volunteer interrupted, I stopped and said "Excuse me..".  I wanted to say "Shut your mouth", but I didn't, because it may end up in the newspaper, and I am counting on this gentleman's vote next year.  When I finished my presentation, the voter said "Okay, okay, I'll vote for your guy."  After he voted, he came up to me and said "Ingrid, if your guy votes like a Republican, I'm coming after your job!"

(Tuesday) There are signs of Webb everywhere in Blacksburg..at every precinct polling place, on lawns, big signs of major locations about town.  And none for Harris Miller.

I allmost forgot, it's back to the polls.  There are no Miller greeters in our town.  But there are Webb greeters at some precincts.

I mean almost.

I understand!!!!

At 10AM turnout ranges from 1% to 2.5%. Most poll watchers are Webb folks or Webb leaning. In one of the larger precincts, it looks like it leans to Webb, a very small precinct here is heavy for Webb all other precincts we just don't know. We don't see any folks hot for Miller unless they just aren't talking with all the Webb people standing around.
 

He seems to think the 5th is Miller country.

"Nearly every party insider and longtime Democratic committee member that I know supports him."

Waldo is much closer to the ground there, but I bet the party regulars are pro-Miller, while the UVa students that registered in the 5th (and are in town and voting) and the Weed camp (he endorsed Webb, after all) are all pro-Webb. 

that is a good point about the UVA students. kc

Actually, I wouldn't say that about the Fifth.  I haven't talked to many Dems south of Nelson about this race, I must admit.  The folks that I've been talking to who are Miller supporters are scattered around Central VA, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, with an emphasis on Northern Virginia.

That said, it occurs to me that I talked to lots of folks about the race at the Fifth District Dinner, a couple of months ago, but not a lot of people had made their minds up by then.

Actually I have to take issue with Waldo. I have no idea what Committee members he is speaking to but they do not seem to be Miller folks from my conversations, especially in the county. Of course there are some Miller supporters but most appear be leaning to Webb in my estimation.

I've sampled 4 precincts at 2PM (2 large, 2 small). The larger precincts have higher percentage turn outs. They range from 2.25% to 4.8% turnout. The anecdotal info tells us it is Webb that is bringing the voters out. I’ve even spoken to Democrat leaders who assumed Miller would edge Webb in Albemarle and they have revised their thinking after making the rounds.

This is still just tea leaves, but the tea is talking Webb.

Ops - I didn't see your last post before I replied. After the dinner and especially after the convention I would say you are exactly right. I think Jim Webb's Cville visit got it back on track.

I'm a Webb guy, but Miller is a class act.  Also, he had a funny story about when he shook hands at Rosslyn a few weeks ago.  He bumped someone walking by and spilled the persons coffee, etc.  The angry commuter told him that politicians are worthless and should stay away from the Metro stops.  The commuter stormed off but paused to ask "by the way, what's your name?"  Harris replied "George Allen, nice to meet you."

There was a Jim Webb sign at my polling place, and other nearby polling places.  No Miller signs to be seen.  This is an extremely conservative area, but I was #33 and my mom was #34, both for Webb.  I'm not sure if my dad has voted yet but I know he's voting for Webb too.

Where do vote in the West End?

I voted at Byrd Middle School.

Just curious... I have been working Henrico Co hard :)

Keep it up!

Thanks ... I have been from the far west end and all the way over to Varina HS this morning. Whew!

There is an AP story that I found just a bit ago (on Forbes.com - http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/feeds/ap/2006/06/13/ap2811790.html) that includes a line at the bottom that reads:

(quote from story)
Webb was endorsed by nine Senate Democrats, including 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry and Schumer, who gave Webb the rare pre-primary backing of the DSCC.

Miller, however, held endorsements by two dozen Democratic state legislators and many more local elected officials and Virginia party leaders and insiders. (end quote)

I think that's a bit unclear/concerning, since it makes it sound like WAY more Virginia leaders are choosing Miller, which I think Webb's team would counter is not the case.  I'd like to shoot the reporter an email if possible, but wanted back-up in the form of a full list of endorsements from Webb's team and Miller's team.  I know there are people here who track those things, can anyone provide it to me?  I've got the reporter's contact info, just want to have full facts to go with.

Virginia Public Officials:

  * Former VA Congresswoman and ‘05 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Leslie Byrne
  * Retired VA Congressman Owen Pickett
  * Democratic Congressional Nominee Al Weed
  * Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
  * Commonwealth Senator Phil Puckett
  * Commonwealth Senator Patsy Ticer
  * Commonwealth Delegate and ‘01 Democratic Attorney General nominee Donald McEachin
  * Commonwealth Delegate Jim Shuler
  * Former Chairman of the Virginia Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Dr. Milton Reid
  * President Clinton’s Virginia Campaign Chair Chuck Dolan
  * Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
  * Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
  * Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
  * Dickenson County Commissioner of the Revenue Ronnie Robbins
  * Charlottesville Councilor-Elect Dave Norris
  * Page County Treasurer C.R. Suddith
  * Washington County Treasurer Fred Parker
  * Former Commonwealth Senator Emilie Miller
  * Former Commonwealth Senator Madison Marye
  * Former Commonwealth Senator Charles Waddell
  * Former Commonwealth Delegate Joan Munford
  * Former Commonwealth Delegate David Brickley
  * Former Commonwealth Delegate Marian Van Landingham
  * Former Commonwealth Delegate Jerry Wood
  * Prince William County Democratic Committee Finance Chair Harry Wiggins
  * Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette
  * Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola
  * Arlington County School Board Member Ed Fendley
  * Arlington County School Board Member Mary Hynes
  * Arlington County School Board Member Libby Garvey
  * Arlington County Treasurer Frank O’Leary
  * Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy
  * Former Fairfax County Supervisor Rufus Phillips
  * Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
  * Fairfax County School Board Member Catherine Belter
  * Former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Member Lilla Richards
  * Alexandria Vice Chairman of the School Board Charles Wilson

Democratic Committee Chairs Endorsing Jim Webb:

  * Chairwoman Sara Braaten, Bedford City Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Roy Dye, Greene County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Mark Brooks, Cumberland County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Joe Stanley, Franklin County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Danny Edwards, Dickenson County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Thomas Long, Augusta County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Corey Hernandez, Isle of Wight County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Shawn Becker, Grayson County Democratic Committee
  * Chairman Thomas Brewster, Tazewell County Democratic Committee
  * Chairwoman Kimberly Chiapetto, Floyd County Democratic Committee

National Elected Officials:

  * Senator John Kerry, 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee
  * Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
  * Senator Chuck Schumer, Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
  * Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle
  * Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin
  * Senator Christopher Dodd, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
  * Senator Debbie Stabenow, Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference
  * Senator Carl Levin, Ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee
  * Senator Ken Salazar
  * Senator Tim Johnson
  * Former Senator Max Cleland
  * Former U.S. Senator and Member of 9/11 Commission Bob Kerrey
  * Congressman John Murtha

Retired United States Military Officials:

  * Retired Army General and ‘04 Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark
  * Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Joseph Hoar
  * Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Tony Zinni
  * Retired USMC Lt. General and former Commander of Operations, J-3 Staff Gregory Newbold
  * Retired USMC Lt. General Frank Petersen, the highest-ranking African American in USMC history

Organizations:

  * Laborers’ International Union
  * Sheet Metal Workers International Association
  * International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
  * Lynchburg Voters League
  * Vietnamese-American Veterans Coalition
  * Falls Church News-Press
  * The Roanoke Times

Senior Members of Sen. Chuck Robb’s Staff:

  * Tom Lehner – Chief of Staff (1993-2001), Sen. Robb
  * Susan Platt – Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate ‘94
  * Susan Albert Carr – Scheduler, Gov. Robb; Legislative Aide and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
  * Ridge Schuyler – Legislative Director, Sen. Robb
  * Peggy Wilhide – Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
  * Julia Sutherland – Gov. Robb Press office; Press Secretary, Robb for Senate ‘88; Press Secretary, Sen. Robb
  * Rhett Walker – Deputy Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate ‘94
  * John DiBiase – Advance Director, Robb for Senate ‘94
  * Bryson Monteleone – Assistant to Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate, ‘94
  * C.R. Suddith – Controller, Robb for Senate ‘88; Senate Aide, 89-90; Deputy Treasurer Robb for Senate ‘94
  * Louise Ware – Campaign Staff, Gov. Robb; Campaign Staff, Sen. Robb

Straw Polls:

  * Won the Fairfax County Democratic Straw Poll 58%-42%
  * Won the Prince William County Democratic Straw Poll 57%-43%
  * Won the Newport News Democratic Straw Poll 77%-23%

Link: http://www.webbforsenate.com/press/release.php?id=51

The MSM has been pushing this for a long time, even though Webb caught up and passed Miller for state endorsements.

Maybe they're recycling stories and only adding the few new lines at the top.  Maybe they're buying what the Miller camp is feeding them.  Maybe they want to create a sense of balance in order to appear neutral (every good Webb point deserves a good Miller point) - even if it's not accurate.

At this point it's getting a little late in the game to push for MSM corrections.  By the time it gets fixed and published the polls will be closed. 

If Webb wins the primary, MSM inaccuracy (for whatever reason) is something to stay on top of during the battle with Allen.

My thinking is that as the story goes on, they'll do revisions/updates to it, something the AP often does in particular.  I'd at least like to get word to him re: this point in hopes that it might be changed in a later version. 

Agree completely that MSM inaccuracies will be a big issue if we win today, given Allen's spin ability and his strong connections throughout the state w/ media.

Has anyone else encountered volunteers from the pro-Marshall/Newman amendment group soliciting people to vote yes? I just got a report of one in Loudoun, and they weren't really having a good morning. Hilarious!

Nice to see.

for Webb.  Go Arlington!  Go Webb! :)

Hey all, I was over at Laurel Precinct in Springfield this morning handing out some lit for Andy Hurst.  I was joined by a poll worker for Webb.

as of about 8:30AM they had 39 voters so far, tepid support for Andy maybe 57-43 at a strong Webb showing at 65-35.  Of course these numbers are very very anectdotal and are in no way real numbers, just what I saw.

Word on the street is that Ken has ZERO poll workers out today, even at the high schools where 3-4 precincts vote.

Thanks for the report and keep 'em coming!!

I voted at the Nickelsville Precinct at about 11:00 a.m. I was voter #12 out of about 800 registered voters.  So it's a very light turnout, but better than the 2001 Democratic Primary when a grand total of 13 voters cast ballots at Nickelsville.

I've been handing out some handbills for Webb at Gate City.
Still light turnout but seems to be favorable to Webb. I saw a few Webb signs at various precincts but no Miller presense at all.

IMHO, We'll be doing good to hit 2% of the registered voters in Scott County (that would be 300 voters out of appproximately 15,000 registered.) I'm Afraid that this doesn't bode well for Webb. I'm going to go back to handing at handbills about 4p.m., probably at Weber City(which is the 2nd largest poll in the County.)

Tell them that Webb is a son of SWVA who will do great things for that region of the state!

...that Arlington's going heavy (65%?) for Webb.  I'm also hearing good things from Alexandria.  I can't believe that Hampton Roads and SWVA won't be Webb territory.  I hear African American turnout in Richmond is probably favoring Miller but is VERY low.  Overall, lookin' good with 5 hours to go, but keep GETTING OUT THE VOTE for Webb; let's take no chances!!

There's almost no doubt about it from everything I'm hearing, Arlington's going for Webb by a comfortable margin, maybe as high as 2:1.  How many votes?  Maybe 7.000 total? If it's 2:1, that means about 4,600 for Webb and 2,300 for Miller in Arlington.  We'll see...in the meantime, Get Out the Vote in the remaining 5 hours!  Thanks.

I'll try and hit the Oakland district on the way back for a little bit.  People should be voting after work.

...and greet voters from around 4 PM to 7 PM for Webb.  Believe it or not, I've heard numerous cases of voters changing their minds after talking to Webb greeters.  I've also heard - and personally spoken to - people who didn't know there was a primary todayk, but now are going to vote for Webb.  The message?  Never quit, never give up!

This thread - which is totally unofficial and not necessarily at all scientifically accurate - is the best source of information, gossip, anecdotes, etc. that we've got.  I keep hitting "refresh," hoping someone has posted something new - big turnout in SWVA for Webb, military folks in Norfolk turning out in droves for Webb, Arlingtonians flocking to the polls for Webb! - all the things that we want to hear.

It's like sitting around on Election Day watching the results come in on the TV networks.  So exciting, but a little nerve-wracking.

New thread here, so open up a second browser window!

LINK

Well stayed up until about 3am putting up signs at 12 precincts. Got up at 7 and have been canvassing those and a few others.

Interesting trend here.. the best performing areas are not the traditional Democractic areas. But are rather the Middle Class and Upper Middle class Burbs'

On average We should have about 40-50 a precinct.. We have number over 50 now, but many only with 25 or so. But I have seen a steady increase over a slow start. If I were to guess of the 20 precincits I have visited we should have about 1,200 votes. If that holds true all of chesterfield will probably be around 3,000 -4,500 votes.

From my random sampling of voters I would gather a 70/30 or better split for Webb.

Last but not least we have signs covering 100% of all tier 1 and 70-90% of tier 2 and 3 precincits. Without a single Miller sign to be seen. At least not in all my driving around the county or at any of the precincits I have visited.

Charles Goin

things are going well for Webb in my home county! Wish I could say the same here in the city, but when I went to vote it seemed to be mostly Miller people. However, turn out was low which is a plus!

Only 9 mins to go!