Lowell Feld and I have been in contact with Jim and with the campaign staff, and have discussed with them a strategy to get Jim's message out to the netroots, interact with the online community in Virginia and nationwide, and jumpstart the campaign with some much-needed funds before the end-of-the-first-quarter filing deadline, which is a cricital milestone for the campaign, and less than three weeks away. Our fundraising goal is $300,000 in three weeks. Yes, it's ambitious, but we think it can be done.
Jim Webb is planning to make himself available for a significant amount of direct interaction with blog readers, in several places and formats -- live blogging himself, a series of interviews with Lowell and me on various campaign themes and policy issues, some of which will have him available to answer questions afterward, and conference calls with some of the major players in the blogosphere -- in Virginia and nationally.
We hope to accomplish several things with this, including getting Jim's message out, giving him your inputs through direct interaction, and answering some of the questions you have had about him and his positions on the issues.
Another important thing we hope to accomplish is to validate the netroots fundraising model. One of the reasons Jim had to think long and hard about entering the race is that he didn't exactly relish the idea of having to spend several hours a day "dialling for dollars" from big donors. He'd much rather convince thousands of netroots folks to support him $100 at a time (or more if you can afford it) than have to curry favor with a bunch of Washington lobbyists. We're going to try to validate a new business model here, which has the potential to really shake things up, in the sort of way Kos has described in his book, Crashing the Gates. We also hope to get lots of volunteers signed up, once we've made the case for why you should support Jim's candidacy.
Jim Webb's candidacy really has the potential to shake up the stale Democratic establishment with a huge gust of fresh air from the netroots, and show the world what the Democratic blogosphere can do, how far it's evolved, and how powerful it's grown. We're in this thing to win.
So, what do you all think? Do we all want to help elect a candidate who: opposed the Iraq War since 2002; is pro-choice; supports civil unions; is a true populist in the "Jacksonian Democracy" sense; believes in "reining in the unbridled power of the Presidency;" will shake up the Democratic Party; will win back the working class "Reagan Democrats" and, in doing so, help "turn America blue" once and for all?
I know that folks have a lot of questions for Jim Webb, so let me finish by throwing this out -- I'll be posting an interview with him Tuesday evening about why he came home to the Democratic Party, and why he's running for the U.S. Senate. Jim Webb will be online, and available to take your followup questions at DailyKos.
Campaign website: Webb for Senate
Donate: Webb for Senate - Contribute Online
When Miller appeared at the Last Loudoun County Democratic Committee meeting he got a tepid response and some harsh questioning on his past (I didn't even get a chance to ask a question because so many were being asked, I gotta sit closer to the front next time). In contrast, Judy Feder got a rousing response (and a standing ovation).
I have been discussing James Webb (and recommending "Born Fighting") with my friends in Loudoun County and have gotten and tremendous response, I can't wait for him to address us.
Webb has to win the primary (assuming he gets on the ballot) and if the Dem machine is dragging its feet, he will not beat Harris Miller. So get out the casual Dem and the independent-leaning-Repub vote for Webb in the Dem primary.
I want to change the political rules of engagement and the terms of debate, and Webb is the only man who can do that.
One shouldn't measure political power with money alone. I think the progressives will offer a different kind of power. That's why we need to stay independent of the big money that controls the traditional parties.
Believe me, Jim, I'm taking this outside our little sphere, but there's also something to be said about
a. inspiration
b. positive messaging
c. talking points
d. standing up for what you believe in
RK is a good place to hone the message. It's certainly not the end of the process by any means.
This isn't about the candidate, it's about being part of something larger than ourselves. That's bigger than Webb, he's just the best representation we've found so far so we need to organize around that.
I wonder if im even a minor league player? :)
This is why he wins, because he will bring them back. There were Reagan Dems. Welcome to the era of Webb Republicans, and the era of Blue State Virginia. Just in time for redistricting in 2010.
If canididates like Webb can deliver purple states like Arkansas, Florida, NC, and Virginia
for the Dems we could be on the brink of a new era of American politics.
The Republican party has doomed itself to hardline right-wing extremism and the nation is pissed. The ~35% who support the embattled President are the same ~35% who Identified themselves as "Conservatives" after the 2004 election. The 21% "Liberals" and 44% "Moderates" form a "progressive" majority which can endure through the 21st centry.
The Clinton voters have a home in the Dem party, but the perot voters are all with the Republicans. We can reclaim them with the help of candidates like James Webb if we can only have the guts to step up and represent their interests.