A Brief Message to My Fellow Webb Supporters

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/9/2008 7:23:44 AM

Just a brief message to my fellow Webb supporters, particularly the amazing, legendary, 10,000-strong, grassroots/netroots "rag tag army." After Josh, Lee, Corey and I started the "Draft James Webb" movement in early January 2006, there were two people whose support was absolutely essential early on. One was Chap Petersen, who met with Jim Webb in late December 2005 and immediately decided to support him. The other was Leslie Byrne, who gave former Reagan Administration official Jim Webb instant credibility through her "Good Housekeeping Democratic Seal of Approval" (as she accurately calls it). That support was absolutely crucial in those early days. Just as crucial was Byrne's "Good Housekeeping Democratic Women's Seal of Approval," especially in the face of attacks on Webb that he was supposedly a misogynist.  Leslie Byrne played a crucial role, early and often, in refuting that ridiculous charge.

In short, without Leslie Byrne's early and strong support for Jim Webb, he would not be in the U.S. Senate today. Period. Instead, George Felix Allen would still be there, possibly having just secured the Republican nomination for president.  But without Leslie Byrne, everything could have turned out differently than it did, with disastrous results for our state and our country.  Tomorrow, I STRONGLY URGE EVERY SINGLE WEBB SUPPORTER in the 11th CD to express their gratitude to Leslie Byrne by voting Byrne for Congress!  Thanks.

P.S. Also, I'd urge you to follow the lead of Jim Webb, who's endorsed Leslie Byrne in this primary.  As Webb has always said, you've got to be loyal to your people. And Leslie Byrne is definitely one of Webb's people. :)

Comments



Byrne and Webb (cycle12 - 6/9/2008 8:12:29 AM)
Thanks, Lowell; agreed - I met Leslie Byrne nearly 25 years ago when I was serving my first term on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and became active with the statewide Virginia Association of Counties (VACo).  From my "outside" observations of Leslie Byrne since that time, she has always exhibited strong leadership skills.

In early 2006, when I was trying to determine which Democrat to support for the U. S. Senate, it was through having meetings with both candidates and by making note of endorsements of Jim Webb by such leaders as Wes Clark and Leslie Byrne that I decided to follow their lead.

On rare occasion, I find myself wishing that I lived in northern Virginia, and this is one such occasion.  I can't vote for Leslie Byrne, but I can certainly support and endorse her candidacy for the 11th Congressional District seat.

If you are reading this message and are a voter in the 11th CD, please give serious consideration to a most deserving life-long leader, Leslie Byrne.

Thanks!

Steve McGraw  



THE Steve McGraw? (jsrutstein - 6/9/2008 5:25:04 PM)
Are you the Steve McGraw quoted in the new TNR article on Webb?

http://www.tnr.com/politics/st...

If so, thanks for saying what you said.



New Republic (cycle12 - 6/9/2008 9:26:54 PM)
Yes, thanks, "js", and you're most welcome...  

Please be sure to go to the TNR website and compliment Associate Editor Eve Fairbanks on her excellent article about Senator Webb.

Hosting Jim Webb and his campaign workers in 2006 was the easy, fun part.  

Eve's article was the result of much hard work on her part.

Thanks again!

Steve



total blowhard (Also Steve - 6/15/2008 2:53:29 AM)
That Steve McGraw guy sounds like a total douche to me.  Word on the street is he's not even Scotts-Irish : )

Oh, and happy father's day.



Thanks, son... (cycle12 - 6/16/2008 8:15:03 AM)
I love you, too.

Dad



I wish Leslie the best.. (lgb30856 - 6/9/2008 9:32:04 AM)
I am in the 3rd District but I support Leslie and will do calls from my home tomorrow.


Kaine and Connolly (anarchangel - 6/9/2008 9:59:57 AM)
Don't forget that Governor Tim Kaine and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw endorsed Connolly.

Kaine has put out a new powerful message urging voters to support Connolly on June 10.



Lots of support here in Mathews County. (mikuleck - 6/9/2008 6:49:56 PM)
We have the drive and the enrgy.  We are also going to elect Dr. Kieth Hummel to the seat in VA-01.


Loyalty is a great thing, but I'm voting strongest and best qualified... (justicat - 6/9/2008 8:17:52 PM)
- aj  


I don't understand your comment. (mikuleck - 6/9/2008 10:43:28 PM)
Are you saying you will vote republican?


Leslie Byrne Is Without A Doubt Best Qualified (Lee Diamond - 6/10/2008 12:02:02 AM)
RK has posted enough to establish that Leslie is the best qualified candidate in the 11th.  She is an excellent public servant.  Her dedication to the public interest, as documented by several diaries, stands alone among the other Democrats and the two Republicans.

I hope that this election year brings more public servants to Congress instead of self-servers such as the other well known candidate in this contest.