Maybe my expectations were just too high but I certainly had a different impression.  I'll reserve anymore comments and wait to hear what the "unbiased media" has to say. : )

by Bob Lewis.  I think it's about right.

Lowell, the media accounts are coming in and that aren't doing us any favors.  As you know, Bob Denton was not very positive about Webb on WSLS.  Now we get this quote from the moderator.

"If Webb is assumed to be a heavy underdog, “there’s nothing that changed it for the positive,” Holsworth said."

I know we need to positive but I'm too much of a realist.

I did have a question for you since you're on the campaign.  Who was the Webb staffer walking around before the debate wearing jeans, an old courdoroy jacket, a loose tie and his shirt unbottoned?  I heard several comments from the crowd (no doubt stuffy lawyers) that Webb should be embarrassed to have someone like that representing him.  Especially at the Homestead where you aren't really even supposed to wear jeans.

Anyway, just another thing I hope the campaign learns from.

When the debate video comes out and people watch it, they can decide for themselves.  Personally, I'm confident that Webb beat Allen today, so I'm very much looking forward to the video being released.

I agree, let the people decide.  I can only speak for myself and the people I talked to.  Also, I was very disappointed by the comments I heard from the media folks (both after the debate and now in the stories coming out).

In my previous post I asked you about a staffer.  That was probably inappropriate on a public board because it could embarrass him.  Just pass on to whoever it was that he needs to "clean up" a little if he's going to represent Webb at a function like this in a place like this.

You have surely been rude, inappropriate, and you have described him in a way that cannot possibly avoid embarrassing him!!  Just for the record, in mid-2006 there are damn few dress codes anywhere in America for Summer events on Saturdays at resorts offering a variety of casual recreational activities.  The Homestead, in particular, has dropped most of its decades old dress codes because younger patrons have refused to accept them.  Many of the attendees at the Webb / Allen debate were casually dressed.  There were plenty of jeans, sport shirts, and sneakers among the media.  Throughout the Homestead building and grounds there appeared numerous people clothed for golf, swimming, tennis, spa going, horseback riding, hiking, and biking.
The gentleman that you have needlessly spotlighted probably works 25 or more 15 hour days a month for Jim Webb's campaign.  For my money, he can wear what he damn well pleases--anytime--anywhere!

I wasn't trying to call him out by name on a public blog.  I was just trying to get the message out that many in attendance were put off by the outfit.  Resort casual is one thing.  Worn out jeans with an old cordouroy jacket and loosened neck tie are a completely different thing.

Like I said, I probably shouldn't have posted and should have just emailed my thoughts to the campaign.  For that I'm sorry.  But people seem to be forgetting that WE'RE THE CHALLENGER and every little thing matters.  Webb, his staff and his supporters need to be professional, appropriate but aggressive.  Sorry for the sidebar.

And Allen's bored, uncomfortable, flip flop wearing kids looked sooooooooo much better.

Cheap shot.

The Webb for Senate site says they'll have the debate posted in its entirety so people should be able to make up their minds (not clear if this is a transcript, audio, or streaming video).

I suspect this debate will still be primarily of interest to those who were in attendance, the campaigns, and Virginia political junkies. 

I don't get the sense that the majority of VA voters are paying close attention to this contest yet.  Hopefully, we'll get the chance to see a couple televised debates in the month(s) before the election. 

I had a second row seat for this debate as close as your going to get without being a wife or pensive Allen campaign manager .... and NLS calls it correctly ... Webb wins not just with the one liner ... He wins because he was Sharp, Confident and Commanding. The guy oozes intellect and George Allen oozes smooze. Never meeting George Allen before I met him while his small army was casing the briefing area. He was nice enough to shake my hand and call me by my name tag first name. I said something like "Nice to meet you Sir" ... But George seemed a little nervous.

In the debate however he eased into his routine and was okay if you like pre-canned smooze. Presidential Timber? Oh my God ... not another Bush Fence Post ... Shit Dan Quayle is an improvement.

Jim Webb is my man ... and he gets better all the time. It's great that he is independent thinking and not some suck up to this current Republican Authoritarian regime of careerist politicians and corporate lobbiest cronies.

The truth teller in the campaign debate arena is if the Allen camp has the gonads to debate once a month from now till the election .... I doubt it seriously ... they need a controled environment just to go to the bathroom. And while I complement them on this go around for not being utltra Negative nebishes .... I see it coming as their star's presidential distortion field starts collapsing around them ... then it will be black hole time .

Webb for Senate ... when integrity matters.

for "Craney Island" on the Hampton Roads Daily Press Web site and the only article that popped up (and all headline/story links dating back months are available to unregistered users) was Bob Lewis' AP story on today's debate. Must not be a big topic for Hampton Roads itself, it seems.

Allen doing/saying anything concerning Craney Island (excluding the debate)?  While I think most of us are wise enough to see he was just trying to stump Webb, we could really show the people of Virginia that Allen is all about games and no substance with this.

Specifically, if Allen hasn't been involved, hasn't introduced legislation, fought for Craney Island in some manner, then why is he bringing it up - except to play a silly game of stump the opponent.  Everyone would be able to see through that if Allen has no real work/effort to back it up.

My opinion - Allen wasn't just trying to stump Webb, but to test for aggitated reaction.  The Allen team will probably keep trying to un-glue Webb ala the "Shut your mouth" remark to Miller.  That would come in handy in the future if the ALlen team knew how to rattle Webb.  Good for Webb for not falling for it and showing he can handle Allen's crap.

I was there. Overall not a bad first effort. But I came away feeling the campaign missed a very big opportunity to score points in favor of American Principles and against Sen. Allen and the Bush Republicans.

I view this election as a contest between those that wish to preserve our American way of life based on the three branches of government, namely, us, versus those who have spent the last 6 years dismantling those principles, namely, the Sen. Allens, W Bush, etc. One very prominent and constantly argued example of this attack on our basic principles is the mantra of the "activist judges."

There can be no better forum for making the point that this Republican myth is, dare I use the term, anti-American, than a room full of lawyers.  There were at least three clear opportunities for Webb to make this point, the best being when he was asked directly about Supreme Court confirmations. What is even more disappointing to me is that Allen used this slur against our justice system in answering a question, and it went unanswered. I hope that a lesson learned here will result in the campaign focusing, in part, on stopping the Republicans from dismantling our three branches of govt.