to read that article in tnr tomorrow.  baby!

I'm mostly with you on this one. I think the biggest name would be Colin Powell; but if it's not Colin Powell, then it would have to be at least a couple of pretty-big shots. 

Joe Wilson and wife AND Larry Johnson. 

Oh, unless it's Steve Colbert.

Nah, the more I think about it, the more I think it's Larry Johnson.

but it's not.

remember, the hint is that it will dramatically change the general election race.  Even for the primary, Plame-obsessed people in N Virginia who might be influence by Wilson and/or Johnson are probably leaning Webb already.

It would have to be someone who expands the democratic voting pool, both in the primary, sufficient to swamp Miller so that he knows he needs to get out, and to really put Allen in Jeopardy.

There are possible other Republican names, but the two I listed are those I think would have the greatest impact, other than John McCain, who were he not running for president who know. 

Now, there is one another name that might have some impact, and whom I know agrees with Webb on a number of issues, and who had some appeal here in Virginia, at least in 1992.  That would be H Ross Perot, but I think he is somewhat damaged goods. An endorsement by him would get some national press attention, but I'm not sure that it would have a major positive influence overall.

I just don't see him making such a leap from the Bush administration since he still thinks going into Iraq was a right choice, and which Jim Webb completely disagrees with.

I'm hedging my bets on Mark Warner or Doug Wilder.

John Warner?

It's Oprah.  National spokeman,Woman, African-American, filthy rich.

It's either the Invisible Man, or the Riddler!!!

Josh, could you at least eliminate some people for us????? The speculation is killing me.

it's Jane Fonda.

Not John Kerry or Howard Dean either...

As Karl Rove would say "I've said too much."

Keeping with the parade of military endorsement I will have to guess Colin Powell which may blow this thing out of the water

For the endorsement to be "huge," the person would need to be GOP, from Virginia, and have no baggage.  That rules out Powell, who many GOP rule out because he's African-American.  That rules out any Dem.  That leaves Senator John Warner, who was also in the Navy -- unless there is a huge team of Navy GOP from Tidewater who come out as a a team and say Allen is one reason Bush went to war on a blank check based on lies and then abandoned the South after Katrina.

Warner has already come out for Allen

I think Wilder would be a huge endorsement because he didn't even endorse Kaine until a week before the general last year, and he agreed with Allen about Warner's tax reform being a bad idea. Throw in the fact that he's the first African-American Governor since Reconstruction and a Korean War Veteran and his endorsement is certainly a big deal that would effectively end the primary. Given Wilder's credibility with Independents and some Republicans with his maverick streak (some say Wilder would rather be feared than loved), and you can certainly say that his endorsement would be shake up the race.

I agree that Wilder would help in Virginia in some communities, but can't see his endorsement making it to such a large national level. 

Also can't see Powell doing this.  He's steered clear of endorsing anyone, or even injecting himself in any political talk.  While he may be one of the more esteemed members of the Bush admin, he's still damaged himself badly.

Chuck Hagel maybe?  Would suit him fine to get Allen out of the way for 08. 

because that would not represent gargantuan bragging rights as Josh says in the update  -- a number of people have mentioned him.

Again, I have no idea.  Of course, if one wanted to parse the bit about putting the US Senate within reach of a Democratic takeover, it might imply a curretn Republican Senator who is both endorsing Webb and leaving the Republican part...  now, that does not seem too likely.  It would have to be someone who would have stature in Virginia, and no further national ambitions, which would rule out Chuck Hagel, who wants to be president, although he would probably agree with Webb on the vast majority of issues (and would be far more palatable were he not trying to keep open the option of running for president as a Republican). 

John Warner would be a catalysmic change, and even though he has something very much in common with Webb, their mutual dislike of Oliver North, and did endorse a 3rd candidatte to keep North from beating Robb, and he is close to the end of his career, I do not see him swithcing parties, and were he to endorse Webb against his fellow sitting Republican senator the Repubs in the Senate might move to strip him of his chairmanship.  On personality and a heck of a lot of other issues it would be logical for him to endorse Webb, but I don't see it.

So keep on teasing us, Josh, and maybe we will speculate a bit more.  Me?  I've got to prepare to teach.

The biggest endorsement he could get would be Mark Warner...I doubt that's it, though.

It would be smart for Warner to tie himself to Webb, because he's still lacking in national security credentials.

Anyway - other guesses on the announcement:

1. Obama (sort of random, though...)
2. John McCain waves goodbye to his biggest '08 rival!
3. Michael Dukakis endorses Harris Miller
4. Colin Powell
5. John Edwards
6. Doug Wilder

that would have the impact at which Josh hints.  Mark Warner is still very popular in Virginia, but he is NOT going to endorse while there is still a contested primary -- he does not want to alienate anyone whose support he will need for his run for president.  And Wilder has less cachet than you might imagine, and would not have the impact nationally.  McCain would, but cannot do that and still run for president, which he clearly is doing.

oh -- this is a direct response to Virginia Centrist

There aren't really any Miller supporters. Maybe 5 or 6. No one to alienate.

:)

1000 times better than Michael Shiavo.  Couldn't give a rats ass if he supported someone for town dog catcher. 

Only a few endorsements would matter:
-Bill Clinton
-Remaining family members of Martin Luther King Jr.
-Paul Wellstone - posthomously
-Thomas Jefferson - posthomously

Oh who cares, it's either Bill Clinton and his incredible fundraising powers, or nobody.

Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton

-Thank you

I'm just sayin...

George Soros???

in which case i consider your original teaser misleading.  I have now heard the name, and that one or more party elder has decided to try to bring the primary situation to a halt is fine, and can help raise money, but the elder's name I have heard doesn't help win a general election in Virginia.  I'm not even sure it truly raises this to national levels, except that it would normally be unusual for someone in the position to jump into a contested primary.  But given what elders did to Paul Hackett, it is also not totally surprising to see it again this cycle.

And since I have a source, I will not post the name, but you know now that I know.

But do they know that I know you know you know?

Only the campaign should release the name.
But fundraising is unfortunately a big part of getting your message out to win, right?  So I don't understand your disappointment now that you know the name and to you it equals fundraising dollars.  And since you know the name and we don't, try not to be negative!

that I am hearing, because it would represent a major commitment of access to funds, but because as the diary was phrased it implied something more than money -- perhaps a level of credibility being granted from someone not seen as a partisan Dem, that's all.  And in Virginia that could be big for the general election.

but I would also point out that Webb has received several important non-partisan endorsements, the latest of which was Tony Zinni yesterday.

I don't see why you'd be disappointed at all.  Also, I can definitely say that the names I've been hearing are different ones than this one.  All in all, I am quite pleased right now.

but the real bang for the buck in VA would be an endorsement by Sen. John Warner.  Woo-hoo!! talk about fireworks!!
Doug Wilder would be terrific for getting VA African-American support.  Wouldn't be of national interest, though.
McCain? Now's there's a thought.
Anyone giving odds?

but I think that the biggest national and state impact would come from a Sen. John Warner endorsement--talk about fireworks!!  Woo-Hoo!!
Doug Wilder would be great locally, especially to bring in the African-American community, but not of national interest, imo.
McCain??  interesting idea.
Anyone taking odds?

Doug Wilder or Bobby Scott.

The endorsement of Jim Webb by either of these men would effectively spell the end of Harris Miller's run for the Democratic nomination.

Mark Warner, Madeline Albright and McCain.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

Warner/McCain '08
Albright can just take her office back.

Bill Clinton or
Al Gore

Raising Kaine

late!!!

=OP

1. Strom Thurmond
2. George S. Patton
3. George Washington
4. Thomas Jefferson
5. Wheezie Jefferson
6. Jefferson Davis
7. Aaron Burr
8. A Pissed Off Alexander Hamilton

Considering he almost won VA, in 2000 and he still has national implications he is an intriguing option.

My thoughts exactly... that would = a large pool of money available to the campaign.

It's not a Republican and I doubt it is someone in office right now.

So that is where my thoughts lead to.

You can discuss with Madame Sec on Saturday if it's her. That would be cool. She lives in Loudoun so she's a Virginian and she's got great national name recognition and women love her. Plus of course foreign policy credentials way above Condi. Not sure about the fundraising part but she is certainly nationally known with no plans of running for office.

I think thats a bit of a stretch.  Clinton is someone who I would almost won Virginia.

Clinton came within 2% of winning virginia in 1996, not Gore.  Although Gore did better than Kerry (after the numbers were reworked by Diebold of course).

Factor in the 3% of the vote that third parties got, the fact that Gore hardly campaigned here. Also had Mark Warner's election been during the 2000 election it is highly plausable that Gore would have won.  My point however was that Gore plays well in VA. 

would say*

Will this endorsement be huge in terms of the Primary, or the General??  If it is a Huge endorsement vis a vis the Primary, I would say John Kerry is the choice.  His endorsement would silence all the the Dem. naysayers who won't let Webb's editorial go.  Nothing would demonstrate Webb's Bona fides more than Kerry's confidence, and it would show that the differences they had have been put behind them.
As far as the General goes, I agree with folks who think JWarner would be huge.  The man HATES Allen anyway, so its not skin off his nose.  Plus, Warner is about the only Republican who can endorse Jim, without calling in to question Webb's Democractic credemtials.
No on Powell, he lied at the UN to get us into Iraq, how would that play against Webb consistent opposition to this little fiasco??

I don't know about this. I thought you had a Virginian or a more national figure in mind.

Josh is this who you were talking about?  You dont have to say yes it is but if you have someone else you could say I know of someone else.  I would say this is rather anti climatic.  I cant see how a Harry Reid endorsement helps us win in November.  His endorsement will probably drive away some Republicans, be irrelevant for Independents, and preaching to the choir for Democrats.  Again, I dont see how this is a major announcement that will push this race into a toss up or lean Republican.

I will say this...

A Harry Reid endorsement would basically wrap up the primary, not only because of his endorsement, but because of the other endorsements likely to follow, and the massive amounts of national money that will follow.

Moreover, it's Webb's candidacy that makes this a top tier competitive race, where before no one thought it ever would be.  With Webb as the Dem Candidate, Virginia is in play.

I invited wild speculation and the sky's really the limit.  The point is, that when Webb Defeats Allen, Democrats retake the Senate.  Nobody want's that more than Harry Reid, so he's a very logical choice.

you wrote:

You dont have to say yes it is but if you have someone else you could say I know of someone else.

I'm not distancing myself from this statement.  *Jeez, it's like the Alito confirmation hearings.*  I also stand by my original posting, especially the fact that this is no longer Harris Miller's fight.

I didn't even think of Harry Reid.

Here are some comments on the ramifications of a Reid endorsement.  I still ain't sayin, but these comments are right on.

OK..here's how this works. Harry Reid wouldn't get into this primary unless he really believes that Webb can beat George Allen. He has most likely seen some internals that look really good for an upset. Reid's support means that he will make sure that funds come Webb's way in the general election.

There are 34 seats up in the Senate but all of the Dem candidates will not get equal amounts of money from the DSCC and other donor sources. Kerry/Edwards would have done far better in VA if they had had even half of the money and support this will bring for Jim Webb. It's not just about endorsements that encourage others to vote for you but having the money to get your message out. Lest we forget, Allen has alot of money and his opponent will need alot to be successful.

Harry Reid may look like nobody to some but his support is HUGE. It brings far, far more than what a Mark Warner endorsement would..And, don't we think that Mark Warner has been talking to the party elders? Why do we think he has agreed to do a fundraiser for Webb? Answer:He wants to be able to say he helped get Jim Webb elected!

Posted by: Longtime Dem | May 04, 2006 at 09:19 PM

This is AWESOME!!! For those that don't think it's a big deal for Webb, in addition to what Longtime Dem said, Just Imagine if Harris Miller were getting endorsed by the highest ranking Dem in the Senate. This is big, and signals significant insider support.
WOOO HOOO and Oorah and all that!

Posted by: Fan of Integrity | May 04, 2006 at 09:46 PM

THis means Reid puts his money on Webb as the candidate that can beat Allen. If Miller doesn't drop out soon I will begin to think he is a GOP man.

Posted by: Thegools | May 04, 2006 at 09:59 PM

The DSCC knows they need to pick up seven seats to take back the Senate. They're looking to make this one of them, and they know the only candidate who can beat Allen is Webb. They're ready to throw money at Webb when he takes the primary. Miller would have to spend his own, and then he'd still lose.

Posted by: DemTilDeath | May 04, 2006 at 10:01 PM