From the earliest days of Draft James Webb there has always been great faith on my part that Jim Webb would win the U.S. Senate seat .... he has always been a compelling figure in and out of the public eye.

Still faith is one thing and reality another. With plenty of pitfalls along the way one doesn't quite know how a candidate will respond to the pressures of the job (getting elected). The bullshit factor is more than knee deep in running for office yet our guy has delivered brilliantly, speaking to our hopes and dreams .... delivering on the promise of his candidacy ... better government through the election of an honorable talented man.

No the candidate has proven himself and is a much better than I imagined.

What remains to be seen (and we've AVERTED one too many a crisis) is if the campaign (strategy and staff) is up to the TASK. Notice I didn't mention money ... it's all about having the right strategy (fitted to the resources available) and the right people to execute a plan within the means provided. That would be the only reason for Jim Webb to lose right now ... because as a candidate he is as good as it gets .... an OUTSTANDING candidate for the U.S. Senate!!!

George Allen's Worse Nightmare Come to Life!!

WEBB for SENATE ... Born Fighting!!!

has never lost a race.  I could be wrong about this, but that's my understanding. I don't believe that Jessica VandenBerg's ever lost one either, come to think of it.  This could be VERY interesting... :)

He usually tends to hold back that kind of response..

I think that he probably sees how strong Webb is and that he will only grow stronger.

I would think :

Webb - 51%
Allen - 48%
Misc - 1-2%

George Felix Allen, being the incumbent and well entrenched will be a tough nut to crack. He, much like his father will do anything to win.(He's a very dirty campaigner, and if he doesn't do it, he'll have some phantom do the dirty work for him)

It took me a little time to come over to Webb's side, but I do think he is probably the best pick now to take on George Felix Allen. But what Webb must realize along the way is that Allen much like Bush is a RELENTLESS campaigner and as I said will do ANYTHING to win--that includes stretching and bending the truth to put it mildly.

That being said it's great seeing George Felix Allen spending money in June. Also I am sure Webb has some smoothing out to do with his stump speech, but with his communication background that will come. I don't make predictions, but I like the last persons percentages. I am certain that Allen wasn't happy when he woke up June 14th and that makes me happy. Advice to Webb, Don't(here's a Bushism) "misunderestimate" George Felix Allen.

Allen faces a very different electorate than he did in 2000 when he won (in a Presidential year) by 52-48.  This election will be a completely different set of voters, motivated by very different circumstances.  Webb is going to win this election, folks.

If Webb even comes close to matching Kaine's NoVA percentages, especially in Loudoun and Prince William (and I think he'll come close out there, although not as high as Kaine), coupled with a Warner-like performance in Southwest and Southside (will happen with competitive money), Allen could even get smoked here.  Hampton Roads could very well break heavy for Webb with the military presence.  Richmond will likely stay Allen.  The trifecta here could end up being the "three corners" of Virignia.

Webb 54.0
Allen 45.5
Other 0.5

I would have loved to have seen how strong the pro-Allen support was in Rasmussen--that's the key.

Allen's 51% in Rasmussen isn't overwhelming, but it does mean that Webb will have to take some votes from Allen in order to win.  It's much easier for a guy like Webb to win over the undecideds.  We have plenty of work to do. 

The primary was mostly a contest for votes among self-identifying Democrats. Some independents, Republicans and Republican-leaning voters participated. The attempted Repub spoiler vote was probably the greatest evidence of Republican involvement and that was an attempt to be malicious.

Now, Jim Webb will be talking to a wider audience of voters including many people tremendously disenchanted with the direction of this country under Bush and his mostly compliant Republican Congress. George Allen's voting record and association with Bush policies will injure Allen among even Republicans and "conservative" voters. Webb is right on the economic issues and right on the national security issues. For alot of Independents, Republicans and conservatives, these issues are the most important. Webb brings with him a credibility, knowledge and integrity which makes him formidable.

The real challenge now rests with the Webb campaign. They must find ways to adequately present Jim Webb's message in the level of detail and specificity which many people demand. George Allen, like George Bush, has a long list of failures. Jim Webb must note these failures and detail the direction in which he intends to lead.

I think Jim Webb can win this thing, but it's gonna take a lot of work and a hell of a lot of money. Winning a 3% primary is one thing and you folks on the blogs took a great candidate and pushed him through to win.  But in the fall, George Allen's gonna throw money and his considerable personality at the race. 

I would warn about getting too complacent in this race. I think Jim is one of the best bets in the country and as I've said before this Virgina race is probably the most important one on the board, but I don't think this one can be won by blogs alone.  We're gonna have to raise a hell of a lot of money.  I know the party will kick in, but lets get out there and do whatever it takes to buy some media. We can't let Jim get into trouble just because he's being outspent. 

We need to work on a nationwide money-raising effort. I don't  know a lot about it, but you guys know how Dean and Kerry did it and I'll do whatever I can.  This is going to be exciting.

Nick