I like the ad, but I never thought his association with Reagan was a problem.

Black voters are gonna be pissed...

;)

  Can't get much better than that.  Endorsed by the Repug that every Repug politician idolizes.

  Now let me see.  I'm a Repug.  Am I more swayed by an endorsement from the Repug hero of the last half of the 20th century or an endorsement from the current corrupt Repug who has led his party down the toilet.

it's derrogatory.

We prefer to remind the public of how often and fully the Republican party under Bush and Allen has failed American; how quickly it has built an corrupt payola system that borders on corporate socialisam, and how the likes of George Bush and George Allen have all but destroyed the Constitution, opportunity and the future of America.

Arguments over Epithets, I always say.  ;)

Jim Webb is no liberal.

Did you know he was a member of the NRA? I heard about it..  I don't know if he is anymore, he might be.

But that's no liberal.

He's a hunter. A fisherman. An Outdoorsman.

He's a beer drinker.

Jim Webb doesn't have to pretend to be part of the "common folk" like George Allen.

Jim Webb doesn't have to play dress up with cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and pick up a fake southern accent.

Jim Webb doesn't have to move to one the richest parts of Northern Virginia (like Allen) in fact.. Jim Webb lives near a VERY economically diverse area.

Jim Webb doesn't have to pretend to be part of Virginia like Southern Californian George Allen.

Jim Webb is VIRGINIA.

Eat that trolls.

Very small. Lol.

That's funny. No wonder they vote republican.

I will pray for you tonight. and on sunday.

In fact my wife is a sunday school teacher, we will have 3rd grade students pray for you too republicans.

Someday you shall see the light.

(Does he fart, too?) -- I Publius

I expect he does. But, perhaps, not in public, "for fun", the way your President does...

And I drink beer. Good beer too. Now I may not be a shrill idiot like I.Cheeto, but I would say Webb has some liberal positions too. You can have both, I do.

Love your comments, btw.

Liberal, or Conservative.

This election is not about divisivness anymore.

It's about time we come together, people from all faiths, all background.

It's time we move forward, together.

Let's change America.

Let's change Virginia.

I challenge Republicans:

Is this the AMERICA that your proud of?
Is this the AMERICA that is full of hopes and dreams?
Is this the AMERICA our forefathers died for?
Is this the AMERICA that you want your children to live in?

I am a conservative, and ready to move FORWARD.

The Republicans have controlled both houses of congress for over 10 years.

Republicans have had every branch of government and still.

They have failed.

I am ready for change.

So, I will vote for every democrat until we have a BALANCED politic in this country.

Until the people finally are heard again.

It's our time America, vote for Democrats November 7th.

I will.

Reagan is just another failed republican president idolized by brain dead zombie trolls.

The only "sell outs" are the "conservatives" who blindly followed the neocon bastards over the cliff. Read "Conscience of a Conservative" and educate youself.

so I can see too! ;)

Hi everyone, even though I didn't grow up in the Reagan Era I would consider myself a "Regan Democrat"

Pro-Guns
Pro-Choice
Pro-Faith

You can't expect to take away Allen votes if we don't embrace "Regan Democrats", Independents, and Conservatives.

Jim Webb is about ALL people.

Help us take back Virginia, and change this country.

He's going to work for the people, not anyone else.

I promise you.

I am all in favor of embracing the Reagan Democrats and welcoming them back "home" to the Democratic Party. It is Reagan with whom I have a problem. This band of bloody neocon bafoons should drive all non idiodic kool-aid drinking people from the GOP. We should have open arms to all.

I will withhold further judgement until I see the movie and the context of how Reagan is used. This WILL be a problem. Are the benefits greater.....................?

must of had the shame 9-11 movie on my mind.

Please insert "until I see the ad"

Reagan Democrats were (are) overwhelmingly pro-life.

Um.. try again???

No. I think you need to provide some evidence before you question and throw out assumptions.

Otherwise, troll. you look like an idiot.

has really delivered on that issue, huh.

This suggests one of two things to me:

1. There is polling out there that shows that Webb is going to dominate with Dem voters and will bring out enough minority voters, that this is an okay step, because he already has those constituences locked up.  Sort of an icing on the cake effort.

2. There are concerns about Dem base/minority voters showing up, and this is an attempt to find a different group of voters to win over, to make up for potential losses there.

I think it's an interesting strategy for a first ad.  I hope that the ad specifically identifies him as a Democrat - otherwise people may not get that.

... if we don't get out Jim's populist economic message alongside this ad to the African-American community so as to neutralize the anti-Reagan feelings that are very prevalent in that community for very, very good reasons, Webb is toast.

I think this ad will be extremely effective.

I am not too bothered by the association with Reagan.  Webb is who he is.  He worked for Reagan and liked him.  It would be silly to hide that fact.  It is one of the Webb's strengths as a candidate.

Webb will receive united Democratic support.  This ad will make it easier for Reagan Democrats, Independents, and moderate Republicans to cross over and vote for him.  That is how to build an overwhelming majority.

The ad will introduce Webb to those voters who don't know him yet.  It will establish his solid military credentials.  This will help innoculate him from any upcoming "swift-boating."

Goodbye George Allen!

This ad will remove at least some of Wadhams' attacks, since their candidate tries to associate with Reagan.  Very smart move in my opinion.

about having united Democratic support.

There is a very strong undercurrent of distrust of Webb in the African American community. I see and hear it every day in my efforts. I especially heard it at Bobby Scott's Labor Day Picnic. We all understand the reason for Webb's absence. No matter the reason, he was absent from a traditional event hosted by and mostly attended by African American.

This Reagan link will do absolutely nothing to assuage that distrust, in fact, it will reinforce it. If 3rd CD voters stay home on Election Day, the hill becomes that much greater to climb.

I also say this in hopes I am 100% wrong!

Webb needs to shore up support in the black community.  I have to believe that most will prefer Webb to Allen on the issues: Iraq, economic fairness, education, environment.  It's more a matter of turnout.  He should campaign with Bobby Scott in Norfolk, seek Doug Wilder's endorsement in Richmond, etc.

As a white person who is Irish descent, I might not make the same connection, but if you're talking about Wilder's endorsement moving the African-American community, I'm not sure how popular he is with Blacks, but as I recall, Wilder saw his Governor popularity ratings dwindle because of the Redskins stadium deal with Jack Kent Cooke, that was secret to the public. Before that, Wilder ran for president in 1991-92, still within his term.  The thing about Virginians is they don't like people that put their careers ahead of Virginia.  Mark Warner learned from that. He is very anti-Wilder, oh they may agree on alot of issues, but Webb can use Warner because he waited till after his term was over to start thinking about presidential runs. Webb can use Warner because on focusing on Virginia he passed a budget.

Furthermore, Wilder has abandoned the Democratic Party altogether and ran as mayor of Richmond as an Independent.
This is not to say Wilder's gold isn't good or that we have conservative blacks, the Wikipedia article on him is very good on the issues that Wilder supports are more catered to white conservatives, its just that there may be some overhype on getting Wilder's endorsement,that people are missing.

As Richmond mayor and former Governor, he still carries a lot of weight in the community.  His endorsement may be hard to get, but it would be valuable.

I trust you are closer to the lay of the land on the way the 3rd is seeing Webb than I am since you are there....however:

Don't African Americans appreciate Webb's military background?  If it wasn't Reagan praising him, would they not respond to this commercial positively?

Yes it is Reagan.  But MonkeyGate changes everything.  I think black voters will largely be out to vote AGAINST Allen, not so much FOR Webb.  But if they still come out and vote AGAINST Allen, that helps us win.

I see the point, but I think in the larger picture, this is still a win for Webb.  I agree with those who say that Webb needs to reach out, strongly, to black voters and talk about issues of concern to them (and everyone!).

But I agree that Jin needs to reach out strongly to minority voters as well. His stands on minimum wage, outsourcing, Iraq and his strong faith should help.  I also hope he does some in-person stuff in minority areas of Newport News.

Although Reagan isn't exactly a favorite among the Left, he definitely means quite a bit to conservatives. 

And this is important because on paper Jim Webb should have a very strong appeal to the moderate conservatives.  But the internals of the last poll showed very little cross over in Jim's favor.  In fact, Allen had more cross over support than Webb.

Given Jim's background it would be astounding if Webb didn't carry a strong cross over vote.  So, at this point, I'd have to say it's a lack of familiarity with Webb that's keeping those cross over numbers down. 

This ad, based on Josh's description, will certainly introduce Webb to this key voter group.  And I'm looking forward to the next poll.

I know oodles of people who are crossing over for a variety of reasons.

pollsters didn't call your friends!

I'm expecting the big cross over and was surprised when that wasn't reflected in the last poll.

Just my opinion.  Reagan is very popular in SWVA, and seeing as that's where Webb is weakest, it could be an effective campaigning tool there.

According to the campaign and the Post, this is playing in the Roanoke media market.  Doesn't that include all of SWVA?

I know the left has a problem with Reagan, and I have heard the argument. Still, I think Reagan had effective leadership qualities.

And, I am not alone. He is still regarded as one of America's greatest president. That notion doesn't seem to be fading?

So what if Ronald Reagan is a hero to some Democrats, Independents, and Republicans?

What if JIM WEBB really respected him, and admired him?

Will we turn away voters when we need them the most just because they admire Ronald Reagan?

I don't think so.

We need that vote, especially here in Virginia.

I love that Webb is on the air but I am shocked and honestly pissed off that this is the approach he's chosen to take.  Reagan represents everything evil to me and Webb tying himself to that scumbag is a slap in the face to all of us and tells me what Webb is truly about.  Everyone here knows I supported Miller in the primary and have begrudgingly supported Webb.  This is exactly why I supported Miller to begin with.  I'll still vote for Webb but my time and efforts will now be spent elsewhere trying to get others elected and gaining a Democratic majority with or without Virginia.

My, God, dude.  Hitler was evil!  Reagan was just a president that you don't like.  Evil?  I happen to like his FP initiatives, even if I disliked his Domestic policies.  Evil may be a bit of a stretch.  I can't think of one "evil" Republican.

the families of the dead civilians murdered in Central America. Look at the raped and murdered corpses of the dead Nuns. They might just use the term evil with Reagan, on a smaller scale.

This is why I frequently don't get along with the lefties in the Democratic Blogosphere.  They support Hugo Chavez, a man who called for the destruction of the "United States Empire" while in Iran, but they think Ronald Reagan is the incarnatian of evil? 

I feel like I need a shower now.

and please don't pull a bait and switch, which is what republicans do.

I am not a blogosphere lefty. I am not Chavez or Castro or ________ (fill in the blank) lover. I care about the policies carried out in my name by the US Government under any President of any Party!!!!

I am one who does despise the US Central American policy under Reagan in the 80's. If you wish to debate that point, I am ready, though I am walking out the door to a golf tournament.

Under the Reagan policy, hundreds of thousands of poor citizens of El Salvador and Guatemala were murdered with the weapons and logistics supplied by Reagan. Will it make you feel better if I modify my point that it was Reagan's policies that were evil, cruel and murderous? If that is a distiction that appeases you, I so oblige.

Tragically, I don't think the average America is very knowledgable about those events or their assocation with the Reagan administration.

I can't think of one "evil" Republican.
by: DanG @ Fri Sep 08, 2006 at 08:39:15 AM MDT

Cheney? To me, he's Lavrenti Beria reincarnated (and I wish him the same end)

there will be a public preview on youtube?  Or is it being held for the big TV debut?

I think it's very effective, and if played in Republican areas, could do a lot of good for us.

"Gipper" is the name of it.

Great first AD!

THREE THUMBS UP!

I'm basically with Vawalter on this one.

The choice to feature Reagan in ad #1 may be strategic, or it may be because Jim Webb really liked Reagan, but neither reason matters much to me.

I have never liked Reagan, and I don't think that I ever will. If all I knew about Jim Webb came from that ad, I still wouldn't vote for Allen, but I'd have a hard time getting out to the polls. Knowing what I do know, I believe that Jim Webb is the right man for the job, but this ad will be a turn-off for a block of the Democratic base who are like me.

I like the biographic sketch of Webb, but I sure hope that he'll differentiate his policy stance from that of Reagan. If Jim Webb were to turn into a Reagan clone, I'd be unendingly turned off, pissed off, and ready to lead a major revolt. I sure hope that Mo is not going to continue this Reagan theme!

I am more than a little upset with some of my Democratic friends who are overreacting to this commercial. Webb is a moderate on defense and foreign policy and DID serve in the Reagan administration, folks.  That is not a detriment.  And I know that it's no accident that Webb is highlighting his association and service with Reagan.  He has said from the beginning that he wants to bring "Reagan Democrats" back into the Party.

Is that a bad thing?

Furthermore, pay more attention to the substance of the message, and less to the messenger.  It's a BRILLIANT ad designed to define Webb before Allen gets a chance to do so.

Poltically, this ad is a VERY smart move.

I just received an (unsolicited) email.  Here it is:

Have you seen Webb's first TV ad?

ITS GREAT

 

I'm just saying that I don't like Reagan, and a lot of other Democrats don't like him either.

One ad with an intro that I don't like is not a reason to pull away from Webb. I just hope that Webb will make it clear where his policies differ from those of Reagan, GHW Bush, GW Bush and the Bush clone, George Allen.

where he differs from George W. Bush and George Allen:

*Iraq
*Foreign policy and national security in general
*Lobbying and corruption
*Economic inequality
*Stem cells
*Competence in government
*Checks and balances
*Women's right to choose
*Civil unions
*Trade policy
*Outsourcing of American jobs
*Energy policy
*Tax cuts to big oil
*Environment
*Net neutrality
*etc., etc.

That's certainly enough for me; how about you?

I understand the policy stances-- but there are many, many potential Virginia voters who don't know anything about Webb. When they see this ad, some will conclude that Webb is running as a Reagan Republican. If they don't jump to that wrongful conclusion, they may quite easily jump to the conclusion that Webb stands for everything that Reagan represents. It's possible that some voters who saw that ad will be looking for Webb in the Republican column on election day, and might opt for Allen at the last minute.

Reagan differed substantially from Webb on many policy issues. From your list, here's a few the differences:

*Lobbying and corruption -Reagan: not as strongly oppossed as Webb. Reagan had lots of corrupt officials during his tenure.

*Economic inequality  -Reagan: As fas as I know, he didn't care. Also, Reagan was strongly opposed to organized labor.

*Women's right to choose  -Reagan: Appeased the right wing
*Civil unions  -Reagan: Would oppose to appease the right wing

*Outsourcing of American jobs  -Increased under Reagan

*Energy policy  -Reagan friend of big oil

*Tax cuts to big oil  -Reagan loved corporate tax cuts

*Environment  -Remember James Watt?

I understand the appeal of running this ad in SWVA and in Norfolk. It's a bold move, but it could definitely backfire- especially with liberal voters in NoVA, African-Americans, and Democratic stalwarts that don't like Reagan. I certainly won't abandon Webb over this ad, but there are some of the Democratic faithful who will definitely be skeptical of Webb after seeing it.

After Webb runs the Reagan ad, he'll be compared with Reagan and Reagan policies. While that can steal some of Allen's thunder, it also allows Republicans to frame the public dialogue around which candidate is more deserving of the Reagan mantle. I'm don't like that.