Dear Dad,
I don't know if you have followed the Virginia Race for Senate. I have followed it too closely from early January. Back then, I wrote emails over and over to James Webb to try and convince him to run. Thanks to that effort and many other emails and letters that were received from others, he jumped into the race. Now he appears to be on the verge of winning the nomination. The primary is on June 13.
Webb has long appeared to be the front runner, however the primary turnout is predicted to be very low (2-3% of registered voters). Meanwhile his primary opponent has been on the attack, throwing much of his mud and venom at Webb instead of George Allen (R), the incumbent.
Most of his attacks revolve around Webb's past affiliation with the Reagan administration and the Republican party. Of note, Miller has attacked Webb for his past criticisms of Bill Clinton & Chuck Robb, along with his failure to openly support Kerry in 2004. (Webb did vote for Kerry.) Until today, I have been concerned that some of the mud might stick, making the primary's outcome unpredictable. However, about a week ago Webb earned the endorsement of a dozen of Robb's senior Senate staff. (Robb, due to his occupation, cannot endorse anyone.) Then, today I read that Clinton's campaign chief for Virginia, Chuck Dolan, endorsed Webb. Lastly, it was just announced that John Kerry will endorse Webb in the coming days!
THE MUD WON'T STICK.
It now seems clear that Webb is pulling ahead, and barring some unforeseen circumstance, he should be our nominee for Senate.
Below I have also included a list from Webb's website of his endorsements. It is pretty impressive, especially if you consider that this is only a primary. It far outstrips the endorsements of his primary challenger, who recieved many of his endorsements before Webb entered the race.
Love,
Kirk
Endorsements for James Webb:
Virginia Public Officials:
+óGé¼-ó Former VA Congresswoman and +óGé¼-£05 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Leslie Byrne
+óGé¼-ó Retired VA Congressman Owen Pickett
+óGé¼-ó Democratic Congressional Nominee Al Weed
+óGé¼-ó Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
+óGé¼-ó Commonwealth Senator Phil Puckett
+óGé¼-ó Commonwealth Senator Patsy Ticer
+óGé¼-ó Commonwealth Delegate and +óGé¼-£01 Democratic Attorney General nominee Donald McEachin
+óGé¼-ó Commonwealth Delegate Jim Shuler
+óGé¼-ó Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
+óGé¼-ó Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
+óGé¼-ó Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
+óGé¼-ó Dickenson County Commissioner of the Revenue Ronnie Robbins
+óGé¼-ó Charlottesville Councilor-Elect Dave Norris
+óGé¼-ó Page County Treasurer C.R. Suddith
+óGé¼-ó Washington County Treasurer Fred Parker
+óGé¼-ó Former Commonwealth Senator Emilie Miller
+óGé¼-ó Former Commonwealth Senator Madison Marye
+óGé¼-ó Former Commonwealth Delegate Joan Munford
+óGé¼-ó Former Commonwealth Delegate David Brickley
+óGé¼-ó Former Commonwealth Delegate Marian Van Landingham
+óGé¼-ó Prince William County Democratic Committee Finance Chair Harry Wiggins
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County School Board Member Ed Fendley
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County School Board Member Mary Hynes
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County School Board Member Libby Garvey
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County Treasurer Frank O+óGé¼GäóLeary
+óGé¼-ó Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy
+óGé¼-ó Former Fairfax County Supervisor Rufus Phillips
+óGé¼-ó Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
+óGé¼-ó Fairfax County School Board Member Catherine Belter
+óGé¼-ó Former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Member Lilla Richards
+óGé¼-ó Alexandria Vice Chairman of the School Board Charles Wilson
National Elected Officials:
+óGé¼-ó Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
+óGé¼-ó Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle
+óGé¼-ó Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin
+óGé¼-ó Senator Christopher Dodd, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
+óGé¼-ó Senator Debbie Stabenow, Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference
+óGé¼-ó Senator Ken Salazar
+óGé¼-ó Senator Tim Johnson
+óGé¼-ó Former Senator Max Cleland
+óGé¼-ó Former U.S. Senator and Member of 9/11 Commission Bob Kerrey
+óGé¼-ó Congressman John Murtha
Retired United States Military Officials:
+óGé¼-ó Retired Army General and +óGé¼-£04 Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark
+óGé¼-ó Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Joseph Hoar
+óGé¼-ó Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Tony Zinni
+óGé¼-ó Retired USMC Lt. General and former Commander of Operations, J-3 Staff Gregory Newbold
+óGé¼-ó Retired USMC Lt. General Frank Petersen, the highest-ranking African American in USMC history
Organizations:
+óGé¼-ó Laborers+óGé¼Gäó International Union (LIUNA)
+óGé¼-ó Sheet Metal Workers International Association
+óGé¼-ó Vietnamese-American Veterans Coalition
Senior Members of Sen. Chuck Robb+óGé¼Gäós Staff:
+óGé¼-ó Tom Lehner +óGé¼GÇ£ Chief of Staff (1993-2001), Sen. Robb
+óGé¼-ó Susan Platt +óGé¼GÇ£ Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£94
+óGé¼-ó Susan Albert Carr +óGé¼GÇ£ Scheduler, Gov. Robb; Legislative Aide and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
+óGé¼-ó Ridge Schuyler +óGé¼GÇ£ Legislative Director, Sen. Robb
+óGé¼-ó Peggy Wilhide +óGé¼GÇ£ Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
+óGé¼-ó Julia Sutherland +óGé¼GÇ£ Gov. Robb Press office; Press Secretary, Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£88; Press Secretary, Sen. Robb
+óGé¼-ó Rhett Walker +óGé¼GÇ£ Deputy Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£94
+óGé¼-ó John DiBiase +óGé¼GÇ£ Advance Director, Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£94
+óGé¼-ó Bryson Monteleone +óGé¼GÇ£ Assistant to Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate, +óGé¼-£94
+óGé¼-ó C.R. Suddith +óGé¼GÇ£ Controller, Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£88; Senate Aide, 89-90; Deputy Treasurer Robb for Senate +óGé¼-£94
+óGé¼-ó Louise Ware +óGé¼GÇ£ Campaign Staff, Gov. Robb; Campaign Staff, Sen. Robb
Other Notables:
+óGé¼-ó Chuck Dolan- Founder of Democratic Leadership Council & Pres. Clinton's campaign chief for Virginia
+óGé¼-ó Paul Hackett (D-Ohio) -former US Senate candidate
Straw Polls:
+óGé¼-ó Won the Fairfax County Democratic Straw Poll 58%-42%
+óGé¼-ó Won the Prince William County Democratic Straw Poll 57%-43%
+óGé¼-ó Won the Newport News Democratic Straw Poll 77%-23%