thanks.

Because I know that there will be a showing of Allen supporters voting for Miller.  Miller's showing will definitely be better than it would otherwise be as a result of that fact.  Webb supporters... we have GOT to get Dems to the polls to make sure that Allen's folks don't sway this election.  LET's work HARD!

to support Miller?  It would make sense, since the Allen camp obviously is terrified of Webb (and not afraid at all of Miller).  But do you have any hard evidence that the Republicans are going to try some shenanigans on primary day?

I read FreeRepublic.com just to see what the GOP folks have in mind. Several of the threads there had Allen supporters saying they would cross-over and vote for Miller in the primary because he would be the weaker candidate against Allen in the general. My jaw dropped.

It's a reality Webb supporters have to face - We need a very good GOTV effort to counteract the GOP votes for Miller.

We should get those and send them to Harris Miller.  Maybe if he realizes that he is a Republican tool at this point, he'll get a clue.

Distrubing...

After 2000, I lost all respect for Nader.  Why wouldn't he support a guy who's closer to him politically and helep get him elected?  Spoilers are ridiculous.  And that's what Harris has turned into, the spoiler.  He's being used by the Republicans to keep George Allen in office.  Does he notice this?  He must.  Does he care?  Probably not.  So freakin' pathetic.

"I don't think Allen will have any problems kicking this guy's butt - but James Webb may give him a run. But so far Allen is raking in the bucks and they say he is on par with Hillary in raising money for his Senate Campaign. That should help!"

"I don't think Allen will have any problems kicking this guy's butt - but James Webb may give him a run...

Exactamondo! And we have an open primary system here in the Old Dominion so look for a lot of Republicans crossing over to vote for Miller. Personally, if it is between Allen and Webb, I'm going for Reagan's former Secretary of the Navy!"

"With Webb the stronger candidate than Miller, I plan to vote for Miller in the Dem. primary in June (open to all VA voters)."

"You're spot on.

Anybody not taking the Webb candidacy seriously is not a good student of politics. We can easily lose a seat here. Moreover, well have to commit a lot of resources we otherwise might not have had to, were he not so formidable.
He'll campaign very well.

To those of you who want to casually dismiss him, fine. Let me know when you wake up."

**And here is where Webb has the potential to beat Allen**
*********************************************************

Some quotes:

"Why do you favor Webb?

Firstly, because it has been my experience Sen. Allen (or perhaps his staff) purposely ignores every letter sent to him that doesn't agree with his philosophy...
I have written him about CAFTA, the lack of enough armor for our troops, the widening deficit (and I have yet to get a reply)...he is, however, johnny-on-the spot in replying about to conservative issues such as 2nd Amendment rights, need for more highway money in Va., and Justices Roberts and Alito in the letters I've sent.
Secondly, I believe Allen to have ambitions far beyond the Senate (at the expense of my Commonwealth) and, thirdly, he is a bonafide Bushbot on hot button issues such as illegal immigration, budget, and fighting the GWOT with not enough assets.

And, while I cannot stomach a vote for Miller; I'll gladly cast one for Webb...just to see this draft-dodging failed U. Va. QB clown get sacked."

"The adult in the race will be the one who served his country when it called. Not only did Webb serve with valor and distinction in Vietnam, but his son, a Marine, is headed to Iraq. How many members of our so-called poltical elite in either party can say the same?

I am tired of professional politicians. We need more patriots in politics. I am disappointed that Webb is running as a Democrat, but would proudly support him, if I lived in Virginia."

"I was able to hear him speak at the Naval Academy in 1999 (I think that was the year) and he did a pretty good job. I love his books. I won't support his candidacy, but I won't bad wish him bad luck either. He is just an all around good guy from what I can tell."

"But maybe Webb is the type of man who can start the Dems on the road back. Back to a time when being a Democrat did not imply a lack of patriotosm. Too many Freepers would deny such a time existed, but as one who watched the 1960 race I can tell you that it was John Kennedy who was the conservative and Richard Nixon the believer in the New Deal.

Having read Webb's Born Fighting, he has a handle on the people known as Reagan Demorats, and Owens' article is spot on that these people have less voice in the modern GOP than is commonly believed.

Like Owens, I believe that Webb is tilting at windmills as he embarks on life as a Democrat. But for the sake of a country that needs two sane, patriotic, political parties, I wish him fair winds and following seas."

>>>>>Take a look at his current positions on Iraq and the war on terror.

I see nothing wrong with his positon on Iraq. Nothing at all. Not all of those who question what we're doing in Iraq are Michael Moore types, and Webb is uniquely positioned to mount a reasonable critique of Iraq.

"I fear you are right about the leftists in the Virginia Democratic Party. If they have any brains, they'll nominate Webb as he is, and let him have a substantive debate with Warner (sic) over Iraq. But they've never given any evidence of brains in the past."

"James Webb is a candy ass...not for his war record...but because he is the political equivalent of cross-dresser. He's come out of the closet now...and I'll call him a candy ass any day of the week.

Yeah, you call Webb a "candy ass" and you'll do more damage to George Allen's candidacy than to Webb's. Jim Webb could kick both our butts thirty years ago, and probably still could today. We can argue that Webb is wrong on issues, but calling him a "candy ass" is so demonstrably wrong that it will alienate many voters who know better, and relegate some of Allen's best supporters to the kook fringe."

*****************************************************
These are just a few quotes I saved for reference from one rightwing blog alone. There are many others I didn't save.

... that some repubs will vote in the primary for Webb out of respect? I would like to think so... Maybe that will help mitigate the Miller/Allen proxy vote.

I walked the neighborhoods gathering signatures to get Webb on the ballot.  Name recognition is low, and disgust is high. Many, otherwise informed voters had never heard of Webb or Miller.  Several people outright refused to participate in what they believe is a corrupt political system.  I think many people will not vote in the primary.

Into that vacuum comes the Republican activists - they will vote for Miller. What else do they have to do on June 13?

Webb by a slim margin.  And then the real work begins.

Allen should draw little comfort from his near 50% favorable polling.  There are alot of pissed-off undecided voters out there and incumbents are the focus. James Webb is an outsider with a book full of real bona fides.  Allen is getting cozy with Rev. Pat "the Assassin" Robertson, but it won't be enough to insulate him from his allegiance to a failed President.

You used the same logic as me, I said 60-40 as well.

I think that:
1. Allen will get his people to vote
2. There will be some hardcore Dems who will vote for Miller because he has been a Dem and whatnot. I know several people like this infact and nothing can change their minds!

Let's "rock the vote". Haha.
"VOTE OR DIE" :)

... it seems Miller has made decent inroads in Richmond. Webb should carry Nova and Tidewater.

I think Miller will do well in Richmond, Portsmouth, and parts of Norfolk.  He'll also do okay in NoVA, but Webb will still win strong there.  Miller will be lucky to get 10 votes in total out of Southwest Virginia.  Same in Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and the sorrounding area.  Chesapeake may break even thanks to Delegate Spruill's endorsement of Miller.  Miller will get to 40%, maybe above.  But Webb will still win by 10% at least.

Well over half of Democratic primary votes in VA come from Fairfax and I think that Miller plays well there. But Webb will win the majority of Nothern VA and take the rest of VA easily.

All the Democrats I know (and I'm from Fairfax County) like Webb better, if for no other reason than they think he'll be a better opponent for Allen.

Allen's douchebags may come out in droves.

Is there NOTHING we can do?

a) get out OUR vote
b) urge Miller to drop out

Besides that, there's nothing we can do as far as I know, unless Democrats change the rules for who can vote in their primary.  I strongly doubt they can, though, at this point.

I don't know the answer to this, but wonder if its not a state election law that the primaries are open.  Could the Democrats change it if they wanted?

There needs to be a full press GOTV for this primary for two reasons.  To ensure Webb is elected, and to see how your system worked and make the necessary changes before November.

that primaries are open. We don't register by party in Virginia.  Having said that, my political strategist seems to believe that Republicans, if they vote in this primary, will come out to vote for Jim Webb.

because they are well aware that it will be reported in their voting record. I had a number of them tell me that last year when I ran in a D primary.

If I were "crossing-over" to vote in a primary, I would vote for the candidate that I liked best (or disliked least).  That way if my party's candidate lost, at least the winner would be somewhat to my liking. 

"Crossing-over" to vote for a weak or hated candidate could easily backfire if that weak/hated candidate won in November.  (It always possible.)

(By the way this is how I vote-always....and in every primary.  I vote for the man.)

We have to come out in bigger droves.  That's about it.  Miller knows that Allen thinks he's the weaker candidate.  If he has had anybody read through the blogosphere once, he'd figure that.  If it were just Democrats voting, I'd be for Miller staying in.  But Harris has to realize that he's just a Republican tool at this point.

that I will never ever ever ever ever forgive Miller and/or his staff/supporters if he wins this primary instead of dropping out like he should.  EVER.

But I'll never forgive Harris.  I won't vote for him or support him in anything else.  He should drop out.  He has to see that he's being used by Republicans. 

He is, and he should.  And any dem that can't see this still hasn't seen the light, imo.

I am thoroughly disgusted by this.

I am writing him a letter, I think.  Not mean, just point blank.  He cannot be this selfish and claim to want to take back VA.

All of the Democrats I know prefer Webb, so the vast majority of Miller votes will be from Republicans.  But some Republicans in Hampton Roads and Southwest VA will likely vote for Webb anyway, so I doubt Miller would break 40%.

I agree with Lowell, Miller oughta just throw in the towel.  He was just a placeholder candidate, and frankly his attacking of Webb (brief though it was) soured me to the idea of having him run for another statewide office later.

I've been hard on the guy, but putting that aside there is a serious issue with Miller.  He angers easily.  In Roanoke County and other confrontations with the man known as Mudcat he, as we say in the hills, "shows his ass".  I believe That is a matter of poor mental discipline.  Mudcat plays the foil to him to illlustrate Miller's character - angry and petulant. He profiles as beleaguered and on his heels, indignant and puffy beyond his measure.  Sorry Harris.

This quick anger is the enemy of a warrior.  It muddies the mind and makes it easy to say and do things that will cost dearly.  It is so clear a weakness that I am certain that Allen's people are betting on it.

Against boatloads of money and the best tools of the Republican attack machine (Matalin/Rove) Virginians will need the toughest of the tough.  Hard, focused, disciplined. You know who.

Looks like Webb needs to get some sound bites on local TV fast.

The idea that Republicans will come out and vote for Miller is also frightening. 

I think Webb could get conservative Republicans unhappy with Allen to come out in droves by talking about offshore outsourcing of DoD contracts, H-1B labor arbitrage replacements, border security.

Allen is a corporate dweeb in this regard and just co-sponsored a "Skil" bill which is a glorified corporate American career professional labor arbitrage and replacement bill. 

of Repub votes for Miller.  This needs to get out to all those non-voting Dems.  Since I think it is unlikely that Miller will make the sacrifice to get out now, and throw his resources behind Webb. And he may be too egotistical to realize that he will be used by the Allen people.  There's smart and there's smart.

Even if he withdraws.  He has certified and the slate is set.  All he could do now is a GOTV for Webb. Ask people not to vote for him. My perception is that he isn't that kinda guy.

Sorry, couldn't resist.  Ha.  :)

Not tooting my own horn here, but if anyone wants to check it out, I put up a big diary on Harris Miller leaving the race over on the Kos.  I want others outside of VA races to discuss this travesty of america's electoral system.  I am hoping it won't fall into never never land, and that the Miller people won't troll rate me out of existance.  I even played nice, too. 

I already have one troll...I think. Or at least an out of stater who didn't appreciate all of my links, and says that we still aren't sure of Webb's party affiliation.

::rolls eyes::

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/5/171236/3628

When you take an internet poll of people visiting a site of Webb supporters, average the results and call on Miller to drop out- you look like a ridiculous ass, and undermine the cause of getting him to actually drop out. 

Like you said, it's a blogger poll on a Pro-Webb blog.  Get over it.  Go whine to somebody else, cause I've only head it once and I'm already sick of it. 

Sorry I snapped dude.  I've been studying all day, and I feel sick as a dog on top of that.  Seriously, though, chill out. 

Coming from the master of Gossip(!) and Scandal(!!), the guy who put a Photoshop of Harris Miller PEEING HIS FREAKIN' PANTS up on his blog (multiple times)? The guy who endorsed a RIGHT WING REPUBLICAN because he had a bizarre personal grudge against Dave Marsden?  The guy who hid out in Las Vegas for most of the 2005 campaign season?  Then, after all that, the guy abruptly ends our year-long friendship and attacks me personally on this Miller issue, as if I'm the only one (ha!) who's been going after that guy, calling for him to pull out, etc.  What a joke, especially considering how badly BEN has attacked Miller on his own blog!! 

Anyway, Ben, it sounds to me like you're irrationally angry at me for reasons unknown.  That's your right, of course, but don't expect me to be any less angry at you in return.  "Weenie of the Week" for suggesting mock questions to ask George Allen, all of which came from his sister's own book and The New Republic article?  That was outrageous and uncalled for.  I never did anything bad to you, dude.  In fact as far as I knew we were friends as of 2 weeks ago.  I've defended you on numerous occasions, both publicly and privately.  Yet, for some strange reason, now you have turned your venom on me, won't even talk to me or acknowledge my presence, try to sow dissent between the Webb campaign and me, attack me on my own blog, etc.  That's seriously f***ed up.  As Dannyboy wrote, "get a grip!" Or is this your way to stir up more controversy and gain more attention for yourself?

By the way, if you continue to come over here and attack me, you will be banned.  End of story. 

Hard to tell if that's contributing to his anger or not.  Hopefully in a few weeks things will calm down and friendships will be restored.  That would be good for all of us.

I don't know anyone, really.  Which is why we should all go out one night.

He's got a condition that may require surgery.  Mastoiditis.  It sounds lousy, causing high fever spikes and a lot of pain.

He's been ill for a while now.  Since Webb's kickoff in Gates City at least, according to his posts.

According to the link he put up..."Mastoiditis is usually a consequence of a middle ear infection (acute otitis media). The infection may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid bone fills with infected materials and its honeycomb-like structure may deteriorate."

And then...

"Mastoiditis may be difficult to treat because it is difficult for medications to reach deep enough into the mastoid bone. It may require repeated or long-term treatment. Antibiotics by injection, then antibiotics by mouth are given to treat the infection.

Surgery to remove part of the bone and drain the mastoid (mastoidectomy) may be needed if antibiotic therapy is not successful. Surgical drainage of the middle ear through the eardrum (myringotomy) may be needed to treat the underlying middle ear infection."

Yuck.

Well, that sounds terrible, and I am very sorry to hear that, Ben/Not Larry.

Ban Me?  You already have chased off plenty of other people who disagree with you. 

Is your comment section just for a Lowell love fest?  Or is it for discussion and disagreement?

Anyway, I hope you do ban me.  Then the entire blogosphere will see what a little coward you are.

Lowell was just doing this to see what the results would be AND WHY people felt this way. So he calls for Miller to drop out, he is entitled to that opinion. That far from makes him as ass.

I believe that this attack is unwarranted, much like making Lowell the weenie of the week. His questions were posed in a mocking manner. Geeez, if you can't have a sense of humor, why bother.

Plus Ben, you know all about humor. Your site tends to be full of it.

Attacking people, especially when they are on the same side of you, makes you look like an ass actually. It makes anyone look like an ass.

I am sorry that you are sick. I myself have had several illness in the past year, some that have required surgery and a hospital stay. However, it is not fair to lash out.

That being said, I hope you recover soon Ben. Come back to reality Ben!

You can troll rate, but you can't comment?

I hate to call a woman a pussy, but you're a pussy.

How am I troll when I post on RK all of the time? I am wondering why she rated me as a troll.

Eh.

I just re-read the post, and you didn't call on him to drop out.  It's actually worse.  You ridicule him and say "Maybe politics isn't Harris Miller's calling in life".  Maybe figuring out that this race ended two weeks ago and giving Harris a little dignity on his way out would be a good way to do it?  I have no respect for you anymore, go back to letting the teenagers like Kenton and Sam write for Raising Kaine, they have some class.

At least the manner he had was light hearted and playful; you sound hateful and somewhat violently worked up over this.  Calm down.

Lowell has crossed the line from commenting with an opinion to TAUNTING.  Do you want me to count the number of attacks on Harris Miller by Lowell in the last 2 weeks?  It's disgusting.

Do you have information about this race that the rest of here don't have?  Why do you think that the race is over?

Overflow crowds at Webb events, none at Miller's

New endorsements going overwhelmingly for Webb.

My poll shows Webb up 20 in Miller's political home base for decades.  Miller is 5% outside the margin of error for existing.

Survey USA puts the Harris Miller positive rating within the margin of error of zero.

Your report from Virginia Beach, the reports from Loudoun, etc.

Multiple US Senators coming next week to endorse Webb.

The primary is over.  We just need to ID our people in the primary so we have it for the general election. 

That answers your question Susan.  But the point is Lowell needs to stop spitting in Harris Miller's face.

Multiple US Senators coming next week to endorse Webb?

Really?  Well then...you might make a good point.  But let's all work a little harder to be civil with each other.

of reasons why Miller is done for.  But how certain is it he WILL lose? 

Sure, Miller is down and it sure looks like he's out.  But Miller is well funded and well connected - and I, for one, feel that until he drops out he has the resources in place to make a come back.  Probably won't happen, but do you (if you're a Webb supporter) and all the other Webb supporters really want to risk that?

Perhaps there's room to tone it down a bit, but we can't forget about Miller and move on to Allen just yet. 

Miller's very good at playing on people's emotions and fears (Rovian tactics) and appears to have no qualms about hurting people in his quest to get what he wants, power and massive wealth.  He's spent the last 20 years of his life doing the bidding of greedy and power hungry.  It's in his blood.  The guy's wicked smart, and if he wants this nomination, he'll find ways to work behind the scenes to turn people against Webb, as he's not successful in getting them to turn TO him.

I don't see Miller as out at all. 

You put it very well. I don't think there is a need to bash Miller the way it has been done here. Save the venom for Allen, our true target.

I appreciate what you're saying, and normally I'd agree with you 100%.  But in researching Miller, I and others have found that he's a bad guy.  Not just a candidate who can't win, but an actual bad guy.  One who has made huge fortunes in sneaky and downright evil ways.  One who is a master of manipulation and who is willing to say anything.  You have to dig a little bit, but the information is there.  And it's scary.  Before you vote for Miller, please check him out thoroughly.  He's trying to hide from his past and has tried to erase his past actions and comments from the ITAA site, but some of it is still available through Google cache.

Vivian, I have been a Democrat all my life and vote for the Democrat on the ticket every time.  If there's no Democrat running for an office, I write one in.  But this time, BECAUSE I care about my party, if Harris Miller manages to somehow squeek by with a win against Webb, I will actively campaign for Webb or any other Democrat as a write-in candidate.

Here's my reason:  Sometimes a win is loss in the long run.  George Bush won the election for the Republican Party.  Either Republicans didn't do their homework on Bush or they didn't recognize the danger that Bush would be to them.  I did.  I researched the man.  Now many Republicans wish Bush had never won the Presidency.  Many of them believe that a Kerry presidency would have served the Republican Party better.  People are flocking away from the party in droves and Republicans stand to lose control of Congress. 

I will work against Harris Miller, try to get the truth out about him at every turn.  (Luckily we have a great candidate in Webb, a man of the highest ethical caliber who we may not agree with on every single issue, but who will make us proud nonetheless.) We are on a roll here in Virginia because of leaders like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, who have caused people to have a higher opinion of Democrats.  Miller would be a lasting detriment to our cause.  We can't let him win. 

Folks,

We have to remember the golden rule for Volunteers:

Echo the tone of the candidate.

Where is the stately grandure of Jim Webb in all of these virulent attacks on Miller?

Where is the power of integrity that radiates like an aura of power from a hero, a statesman, a leader, a legend?

Lift up your eyes, this primary is over and it wasn't won but the likes of us, i count myself in this number, who flipped the rock on Harris Miller's past to discover the slimy vermin underneath.  This primary was won with three lines:

1.  Jim Webb:  Harris Miller's campaign seems to amount to nothing more than 10 reasons you shouldn't vote for me.
2.  Christian Denny Todd:  The lizza article was below the belt.
3.  Harry Reid: we're moving into Virginia.

The first showed strenght under fire.
The second showed class and a resistance to engage in smear politics.
The third showed that the highest decision makers had determined they need an ally in the Senate with Webb's integrity.

Miller won't quit.  He needs this race to finish in order to build his credibility so that he can run for Lt. Gov in 2009.  After the primary, Miller NEEDS WEBB TO WIN, if he does his chances of being Lt. Gov go up 1000%.

I think a lot of people here are too focused on party.  "Jim Webb WAS a Republican", or "Harris Miller is STILL a Democrat, so don't pick on him."  You know what?  I try not to care what party they're from, and vote for the best guy.  If Jim Webb were running as a Republican, I'd still vote for him over Harris Miller.  I think Harris would be a disastrous Senator regardless of party.  And I think George Allen has been a bad Senator, regardless of party.

That being said, Ben may have a point.  If he's right about a bunch of big endorsements for Webb, maybe we should clear the way for Harris to exit gracefully.