Wesley Clark's endorsement yesterday of Jim Webb will resonate for a long time to come. Today, we've got some quick reaction from political rivals and analysts.*The Miller campaign went into panic/attack mode, as we discussed earlier. Lame.
*Jim Webb responded to Miller's attacks by commenting, "I don't know exactly where that quote [about the Clinton Administration being "corrupt"] comes from - or in what context it was given. We're seeing a lot of this sort of thing from the Miller campaign. I think that their basic platform is 10 reasons why you shouldn't vote for me." Uh, warning to the Miller campaign - INCOMING, DUCK!!!
*UVA Center for Politics analyst Matt Smyth, quoted in the ever-excellent Augusta Free Press said of the Clark endorsement:
First off, it's a logical tie given Webb's background in the military and his coming across as a moderate Democrat in comparison to a lot of other Democratic candidates nationwide. It certainly lends credibility with some voters - and a certain level of legitimacy. When you show that you're allied and endorsed by someone who's been on the scene as a national candidate, it gets your name in conversations more. Wes Clark was one of the top Democratic Party options in 2004. For him to get involved in this race, it's part of his desire to be involved in politics in the future - whether it's the '08 Democratic nomination or some other type of involvement - by getting involved in the '06 midterms. so there's benefit to be gained by both sides.
*In a conference call with reporters following the endorsement, Webb said "I made a mistake" in endorsing George Allen over Chuck Robb in the 2000 US Senate race. Webb also explained that a meeting with Allen in 2002 about Iraq "was the moment I decided not to support George Allen."
*According to the Daily Press, George Allen "is taking steps to prepare for the increasingly feisty Democratic challenge, even as he continues his exploration of a 2008 presidential campaign." Intriguingly, "Richard Wadhams, a veteran Republican campaign operative who helped oust former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in 2004, said Wednesday he will step down temporarily as Allen's chief of staff on April 10 to run his Senate re-election campaign." Sounds like Allen's getting a weeeee bit worried here.
*Meanwhile, Democrats piled on George Allen's comment about being "bored" with life in the Senate. The Democrats even provided a Letterman-style "Top 10 list" of "jobs that George Allen won't find boring." Here are three of my favorites:
#6. "White House Ethics Adviser. Until now, Allen was only able to stand by and look the other way as Jack Abramoff infiltrated Congress and special interests grew to dominate Washington, but now he can more actively participate in helping the White House with dissembling, cover-ups and smoke screens."
#8. "Border Agent at Southwest Border. With half a million people illegally crossing the US-Mexico border each year, Allen won?t be bored helping the Bush administration get around to enforcing our border laws
#10. " Treasury Department Accountant Responsible for Calculating the National Debt. In March, Allen voted to raise the national debt limit for the third since 2002, bringing the debt ceiling to just under $9 trillion.
Yep, any of these would be better jobs for George Allen, far more suited to his intellect and temperament, than U.S. Senator or, heaven forbid, President of the United States. So, let's help George Allen along into his next career by nominating Jim Webb to run against him, and then electing Webb as his replacement. Perhaps Allen might even come lobby Senator Webb some day, with Webb perhaps telling him, "don't bore me George!" Ha.