An early morning stop by Senator Webb on behalf of the Democratic candidates for Virginia's 1st and 6th Senate District seats packed a Norfolk venue with excited supporters. Senator Webb began by speaking briefly about his performance in the Senate as measured against what he told us he stood for during the campaign. Some of the votes, he told the audience, are designed to get Senators to vote in a way that can be used against them the next time they run. But he believes that he has been able to explain the way he has voted in light of the stands enumerated during the campaign: reorienting our national security policies (getting back to concepts that protect our interests), issues of fairness and social justice, economic fairness, not interfering with people's privacy, accountability (setting right this administration after the running room it was allowed after 9/11), and respect for the constitution. Then he told the crowd how he was often reminded of the wisdom of Mark Twain. "Washington is like a thousand ants on a log floating down a river," he quoted Twain,"each one thinking they are driving the log."
He turned quickly to the political situation in Virginia, which he said we all know has been changed. He asked who would have thought at this time last year with the Senate at 55/45, that we would be able to bring a majority? This could be a real bell weather election cycle for the whole country going into the Presidential election, he added. That is why, he told the crowd, he was here today.
He then introduced both Ralph Northam and John Miller, discussing their personal achievements and explaining how they demonstrated the ability of the Democratic Party to expand the base it is working from now to become truly the majority party in Virginia. Pointing out that with all his credentials, Dr Northam's military experience was important for representation in the Hampton Roads area for an understanding of the issues facing that part of the constituency. Turning to John Miller who, he mentioned, had something in common with someone else in the room once associated with the Republican Party, he focused on Miller's breadth of experience in the media and in politics providing unique qualifications.
Dr. Northam and John Miller spoke about their plans to support conservation and education among other things, and looking forward to working together in the Senate. Dr Northam emphasized the need for leadership in Virginia to be able to sit at the table and work not on issues between left or right, but on whether we want to go backward or forward. Miller thanked the "soon to be senior Senator from Virginia" and spoke about the short time he had been in the race and the pace at which it had come together. He emphasized that he has a degree in education and that he is an adjunct professor at Christopher Newport University. He drew a stark contrast between his desire for a world class education for our children and his opponent's desire to shut down public education as we know it.
Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!