Strong rumors have it that Harris N. Miller, 53, is the Democratic Party's chosen one to take on "Cowboy George" Allen. Who is Harris N. Miller? According to a bio I found at www.cybercitizenship.org:
Miller has a broad range of other public policy experience. Prior to joining [the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)], he was president of Immigration Services Associates, a government relations firm based in Washington, D.C. specializing in immigration issues. Concurrently, he acted as government relations director for Fragomen, Del Rey & Bernsen, P.C., a nationwide law firm specializing in immigration, and he operated his own government relations firm, Harris Miller & Associates, with clients in high tech, agriculture and banking.In addition to private sector experience, Miller has many years of government service, including assignments as legislative director to former U.S. Sen. John A. Durkin (D-NH); deputy director, Congressional relations, U.S. Office of Personnel Management; and legislative assistant, Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and International Law, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives.
Miller is also active in professional and civic activities. He served as chairman of the Fairfax County, Virginia Democratic party for six years. He serves as co-chair of the Virginia Opera Northern Virginia Finance Committee and, until recently, was a member of the Virginia State Lottery Board. Miller was chairman of the American Heart Association, Northern Virginia Council; a member, Virginia Governor's Commission on the Federal Funding of State Domestic Programs; and he continues to serve on the board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, National Capitol Area Region.
Miller holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a graduate degree from Yale University.
I checked the Virginia Public Access Project for Miller's political contributions, and found that he has given $54,675 over the years in Virginia, 100% to Democrats like Don Beyer ($20,100), Mark Warner ($4,500), and Tim Kaine ($5,750). I also checked the FEC website, and found that Miller had a bit more eclectic donation history nationally, giving $1,000 to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), $2,000 to former Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI), $1,000 to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), and $500 to Senator John E. Sununu (R-NH). The FEC also lists Miller as giving $2,000 to Rep. James P. Moran (D-VA), $1,000 to Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and $2,000 to DNC Chairman Howard Dean. As I said, Miller's political giving history is "eclectic."
By the way, rumor has it that Miller will be spending large sums of his own money, that he is very serious about running against Allen, that staff is being hired, and that he will be formally announcing after New Year's. In addition, I hear that James Webb's past contributions to Republicans could very well be used to dissuade him from a primary, although this seems a bit weak considering that Miller contributed to Republicans as well.
Anyway, given that these continue to be rumors (although from highly credible sources), the Draft James Webb effort continues. Also, I personally feel that a primary between Webb and Miller might not be a bad thing, toughening up whoever is ultimately selected to run against Allen. A primary also would mean tons of free publicity to the Democrats throughout the winter and spring, which I think would be a great thing. In other words, "the more the merrier" is my operative theory, within limits of course. This should be interesting...