but will it improve the response to constituents who write or phone about some legislation or some national policy debate? So far, the response from Webb's office(s) to written or phone communication has the reputation of being s-l-o-w to non-existent, at least when it is not about a personal problem or relating to vets (and even there the response has not been exemplary). Has anyone been able to get through to the Senator and tell him of this deficiency?

I hope that his communication problems are just part of setting up shop.  For my only contact to him, I received a nearly blank email back that only said I could not reply to the email. In our modern electronic world, there is communications software where you can send form emails, letters, etc with the click of a key. 

really superb constituent services are Wolf's and Davis's.  Have you looked at their sites?  They have forms for some types of complaints and people who respond quickly to inquiries.  I remember this presented a real problem during the campaign against Davis.  Sure, everybody finds him a total jerk, but when it comes to responding to constituent needs he's Senator Pothole. 

Maybe Webb's office needs to get a few bright, responsive, college interns in there who could be briefed about his positions and respond to people's concerns.

I have to admit, I am disappointed until proven otherwise.  I remember Whitehurst, and find it strange that Senator Webb would hire a former Republican staff member who hasn't picked up a call from a constituent in 20 years.  Whitehurst left Congress in 1987.

I also find it strange that a real estate broker of 10 years would be hired on as the point-person for NoVa constituent services.  I can think of five highly capable non-military people who worked/volunteered on Webb's campaign, and also three extremely capable ex-military people who also volunteered.  Any of those eight would serve Webb's office with loyalty and determination toward constituent services. 

To top it off, the AFA building?  I almost choked.  That association is one of the most hard-headed lobby groups that seek pork and perks for the Air Force, retirees, and active duty - and in that order.  They must have offered a terrific rent-rate, the good lobbyists they are.  Why not Centreville, Sterling, Quantico, or Dumfries?  That's where most NoVa military actives and retirees live-way out in the burbs! 

Please, someone set me straight because that press release is not worth the paper that it is printed on. 

I met Gwen in 2005 volunteering regularly at the Democratic Campaign HQ in McLean. In 2006 she was volunteering at Webb HQ in Arlington.

As far as I'm concerned she's a Democrat.

Joe Montano

will be a breeze to get to as well?  Might as well have located it in the HOV lane of I395.

from Rosslyn Metro.

First, let me say straight out that Gwen is a damn good Democrat, a former Webb campaign worker, and a friend of mine.  I pushed for her to get this job, and think she will be outstanding in it.  She has a lot of experience in, and enthusiasm for, constituent services work.

Second, what's wrong with being a real estate broker?  What's your profession?

Third, if you can think of so many qualified people who would have been good for that job, did you try to talk them into competing for it?  Or did they even want it?  I don't know who competed for the job, but Gwen was instumental on the Webb campaign in the Veterans for Webb office and proved herself in that capacity.  We were on the Veterans for Webb tour of SW Virginia and she organized the day-to-day events on the ground and did a fantastic job. 

Fourth, the location of the office being in the AFA building has nothing to do with what the AFA is all about; his office has to be in a federal building (I think I'm right about that).  So what's the big deal?  It was Webb's choice to have it in Arlington...take it up with him.

Before some of you people start cutting down people who you don't know, and talking about things you know nothing about, how about doing a little research before mouthing off.

 

I meant to send this reply right under 'Tunnel Supporter'.  Don't know how it got this far down, but anyhow....this is to you, Tunnel Supporter.

we should care? He won't answer his constituents so I'm not sure opening yet another office is going to matter. It appears unless you are a military person, you don't count. And having a rethug work for him? Even I have no tolerence for that.

First, Hats off to RK and Company for getting Jim Webb elected. Thank you, thank you VERY MUCH. And while I'm at it ... THANK YOU NOVA.

Now what's with all the BITCHING about an Arlington office being open? Really what is wrong with that?  Seems fitting and important to me.

Jim Webb is as much an independent thinker as a back again Democrat. He's not interested in special interest or party lines. If he was he would have delivered a half-assed State of the Union rebuttal which was handed to him by focus groupie staff handlers. Instead you got passion and intensity.... thank him very much!!

As far as staff positions are concerned ... yes there are a lot of disappointments for me. I loved all those Webb-heads working their asses off during the campaign. I loved them because they answered Liberty's call. God Bless everyone of them!!

But to complain about who's heading up an outreach office .... direct your criticism to the Chief of Staff!!  A Miller man and Warner ex CoS. He's the guy that puts this stuff together and I would have loved to have seen a true Webbhead get the 2nd slot (CoS). Hell ... Regan would have dumped Jim's executive aide in a minute should the "need" had arisen (like mistakenly bringing a piece into the Russel Building). So NO JOY there.

Overall ... I'm very proud of my Senator ... proud to have had a small part in the campaign and very happy with his initiatives.... to include opening another office.

The insider "trading" done by the "connected" Democrats of Virginia ... I could easily do without.

Keep Fighting!!!

and I think this is carry-over anger over his FISA vote.

makes no sense, except in the context of anger over FISA or other issues.

She seemed nice enough on the phone.  The person I have an issue with is his scheduler out of the DC office.  I've been trying to find out if he has any public appearances in the NoVa area during recess.  I would like to speak with him about his FISA vote.  I respect that he has already done some good things for Virginia, and I respect his experience.  However, I was very disappointed in the FISA vote and with his press release.  I would love to discuss this with him, hear what he has to say. 

The DC Scheduler informed that he has no public appearances scheduled and if he did, I'd know.  I asked her how I would know as his appearances are not listed on his web-site.  Her response was I would find out through the local papers. Thanks for the help there, Ms. Must Hate Dealing with the Public! She then informed me that 'at this time' Sen. Webb was not scheduling any events to discuss his FISA vote.