According to a headline in the Roanoke Times, "Webb sees son off, returns to campaign." That pretty much sums up the past week for Jim Webb, who first spent an emotional few days with his 24-year-old son, Jimmy, before he deployed to Iraq as part of the Marine infantry. Late Friday, having seen his son off to war, Jim Webb returned to his campaign for U.S. Senate against George Allen. According to the Roanoke Times report:
Webb...resumed his campaign Friday evening with events in Dublin and Roanoke. He began a hectic Saturday schedule by strolling through the Olde Salem Days festival with a group of sign-toting supporters, then traveled to events in Buena Vista, Covington, Harrisonburg and Falls Church.
From a fellow Webb supporter, I hear that Webb had a great couple days on the campaign trail. Here's her report from last night's 39th Annual Mason District Democratic Crab Feast in Falls Church:
Webb and [his wife] Hong had just returned from southern Virginia where they got a fantastic reception in Roanoke, Buena Vista, and Harrisonburg. From the sounds of it, Webb has no intention of pulling the ad and has offered the suggestion to the Allen campaign that he can go out to the Reagan library and find something equally flattering that Reagan had to say about him and use it in an ad....[The Crab Feast] was terrific and Webb got a great reception. [The] Falls Church Press was there as well as some other newspapers.
Now, here's what the Staunton News Leader writes about Webb's visit earlier Saturday to Jess's Quick Lunch in downtown Harrisonburg:
Met by about 50 supporters, Webb faulted the Republican leadership for an ill-informed foreign policy, creating economic packages that mainly benefit the wealthiest few and granting too much power to the presidency."There has been far too little questioning in Congress after 9/11," he said. "We need to get back to our Constitutional balances."
Webb said he was motivated to run for office largely due to what he said was Republican mishandling of the war in Iraq and the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
According to the News Leader, Webb also stressed that "We are a multicultural society, and we were founded as a multicultural society...It's what makes us the most politically creative country on earth."
Finally, the News Leader reports that Webb was greeted in Harrisonburg by the city's Mayor, Rodney Eagle, "an avowed Independent." In comments that sound very similar to something Jim Webb often says, Eagle noted, "I don't like party affiliations to get in the way of getting things done," adding that he's supported both Democrats and Republicans. This time, it looks like Eagle's supporting Jim Webb. Something tells me that on November 7, Mayor Eagle will be joined by many other Independents and also moderate Republicans tired of George W. Bush and his favorite 97% rubberstamp Senator, George Allen.
Meanwhile, it's great to see Jim Webb back on the trail. Today, he attends the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee Ice Cream Social, speaks to house parties for Webb being held across the Commonwealth, and attends a reception by "Leaders of the Multi-Ethnic Community" - including Shekar and Charu Narasimhan, parents of S.R. Sidarth - in Vienna.
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
"If not now, when? If not us, who?"
Wadhams said the race will take a heated turn. "The honeymoon is over," he said. "Our opponent shall be revealed for what he is. There's going to be a clear contrast. That's what elections are all about."
Oooooooohhhh, we're soooooo scared, Dick Wad(hams)! What are you going to tell us about Jim Webb, that he's a war hero, unlike George Allen? That he was a member of the Reagan Administration, unlike George Allen? That he is a man of tremendous accomplishment in life, unlike George Allen? That he has far deeper roots in Virginia than George Allen? That he is an independent thinker, unlike George "Rubber Stamp for Bush" Allen? That he's speaking the truth about Iraq and about America and that he "won't back down" from the truth, unlike George "You Can't Hide Them Lyin' Eyes" Allen?
C'mon Dick, Bring. It. On! Ha.
Also, think of everything bad they could say about Webb and have a comeback or something worse on Allen. This is WAR!
He has gone very negative in attacking Jim Webb. They are outright lying in press releases about Webb and our campaign. And even if we are bloggers and volunteers "it's our campaign"
I don't know what they are smoking over there in the Allen camp but they are blind if they think Virginans are that stupid to buy into lies.
I am waiting for Jim Webb to challenge Allen on national TV. Grrrrr........
But, be prepared for Allen and Co. to begin the swiftboating. They already have started... and it will get more negative soon.
It's our time everyone.
Be ready.