This morning, James Webb announces his key campaign staff and advisors in Richmond. Here is the complete list; is this impressive or what?!?* U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey served Nebraska as a U.S. Senator and as Governor. During the 1996 and 1998 election cycles, Senator Kerrey was the Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He will serve as Webb?s campaign National Finance Chair.
* Steve Jarding is a highly respected political strategist who engineered Virginia Governor Mark Warner?s victory in 2001. Jarding has also worked with U.S. Senators Bob Kerrey and John Edwards. He will serve as Senior Campaign Advisor to Webb.
* David ?Mudcat? Saunders is a longtime veteran of Virginia politics. Saunders played a key role in VA Governor Mark Warner?s win in 2001. He will serve as Senior Campaign Advisor to Webb.
* Jessica VandenBerg has worked on numerous successful campaigns, most notably General Wesley Clark?s 2004 campaign. VandenBerg managed the key primary state of Oklahoma, the only state General Clark won during the primary. VandenBerg continues to advise General Clark. She will serve as Webb?s Campaign Manager.
* David Smith is a Partner with the media firm GMMB in Washington DC. Smith worked with Senator John Kerry to win the Democratic nomination for President and currently advises the campaigns of U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan, Ron Wyden and Kent Conrad. He will serve as media consultant to the Webb campaign.
* Susan DiLiddo Michaels is a Vice President with the media firm GMMB in Washington DC. DiLiddo Michaels worked with the campaign of Virginia Governor Mark Warner in 2001. She will serve as media consultant to the Webb campaign.
* Peter Brodnitz is a veteran of several successful Virginia campaigns, most notably Virginia Governor Tim Kaine?s victory in 2005. Brodnitz is also the pollster for Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA) and served as pollster to L.F. Payne?s 1997 campaign for Lt. Governor in Virginia. He will serve as Pollster for the Webb campaign.
* Liz Reiter is a seasoned Democratic operative. She most recently worked for Virginia Governor Tim Kaine?s campaign in 2005 as Scheduler. In 2004, Reiter worked for Senator John Kerry?s campaign for President. She will serve as Scheduler for Webb.
* Kristian Denny Todd is a highly experienced communications professional and veteran of several Democratic campaigns. Denny Todd has worked on the campaigns of U.S. Senators Ernest ?Fritz? Hollings, Patty Murray, John Edwards and Bob Graham. She will organize the communications operation for the Webb campaign and will handle direct mail.
* Lee Diamond is a seasoned grassroots organizer active in Northern Virginia politics. Diamond is a veteran of many successful grassroots campaigns. He will serve as Volunteer Coordinator for the Webb campaign.
* Joe Stanley is a highly experienced graphic web designer and SW Virginia democratic activist. Stanley has worked on many Democratic campaigns both in Virginia and New York and is the Chairman of the Franklin County Democrats in SW Virginia. He will serve as Web Designer for the Webb campaign.
* Kevin Druff is a highly skilled database administrator and computer programmer. Druff most recently worked for Virginia Governor Tim Kaine?s victorious 2005 campaign. He will serve as Database Administrator for the Webb campaign.
Wow. In other words, the past few weeks have seemed quiet, but they were actually a time of intense activity and preparation - "all heat and no light," one might say. But now it's almost spring, and it's time for both heat AND light. For those of you who doubted whether Webb would ever get moving, the campaign team he has so brilliantly and patiently assembled should lay those doubts to rest once and for all. But it's even better than that, because behind the team listed above lies a rapidly growing, grassroots army of supporters. It started with a spark back in November and December, flickered to life in January and February, and now has been fanned into a fire of searing intensity. Please bear this in mind: as James Webb travels across the state, this will be more than a campaign, it will be a crusade to take our country back once and for all. Let's all join with him in doing just that!