While it was Jim Webb's strength, integrity, and character that won this election, we, his supporters helped a great deal. Outspent three to one by Harris Miller, voters overwhelmingly turned out for Jim Webb in Northern Virginia. The 8th Congressional District alone accounted for 9,000 of Webb's 11,000 total election victory. We have to build on this and extend it if we are going to fulfill the Webb "Revolution" and dethrone "Little Prince" George Allen.
Now, for the General election, we volunteers must scale our efforts outside the beltway, as the campaign itself does the hard work of bringing Miller's supporters onboard, preparing the critical strategic vision for the campaign, and ramping up to do the work we couldn't in this upstart primary effort: Introduce all of Virginia to a Great American, Jim Webb.
Here is a list of ten things every volunteer should start on immediatly so that we can make the most of these all-too-brief 144 Days until Jim Webb Defeats George Allen on November 7, 2006.
1. Thank Everyone:
Follow Lowell's lead and contact everyone you personally spoke with during the primary. Thank them for your support. Use it as an opportunity to give them more information about Jim Webb and
You have to be able to tell anyone why they should vote for your candidate, Jim Webb in the amount of time it takes to ride in an elevator. You need an "Elevator Speech":Here's Mine:
War Hero, Bestselling Author, Navy Secretary, Emmy Award Winning Journalist, and Early Iraq War Critic, Jim Webb is a man of true leadership, character, and integrity who can defeat George Allen and oppose the failed policies of the Bush Administration.
[then if it's an expecially long elevator ride, you can continue]
30 years ago by abandoning a strong military, Democrats Left Jim Webb and Millions of other Reagan Democrats behind. Now through incompetence, greed, corruption and an extreme dash to the far right, the Republican party has left America behind and it's time for the Webb Republicans to come home to the party of Andrew Jackson, FDR, Harry Truman, and JFK. Webb is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro second-amendment. He belives in freedom, fairness, and responsible government.
3. Visit 1916 Wilson in Arlington and get to know the Webb Campaign staff:
Mary Detwiler and Todd Smyth especially are great people who drove the primary campaign and make things happen. There are always volunteer opportunites. Head over or call 703-778-4080. www.webbforsenate.com
I challenge you to talk up Jim Webb with at least three people a day, and try to convert one of them to a volunteer/activist/Webbhead.
There is no better use of volunteer time right now than supporting Commonwealth Coalition. http://www.votenova.org/Marshall/Newman is the worst piece of hate legislation in the history of Virgina and it+óGé¼Gäós going to add 5%-10% to every Republican+óGé¼Gäós poll numbers in November by driving well-meaning but ill-informed people who care about families to the polls. Without effectively refuting this egregious and ignorant Amendment, every Democrat on the ballot will suffer. That+óGé¼Gäós the only reason this thing is on the ballot +óGé¼GÇ£ as backlash insurance to keep Virginia Republicans in power.
6. If there's a Congressional race in your District, WORK IT!
7. Remember Creigh Deeds!
8. Read up on Allen, familiarize yourself with his background, be prepared to challeng his claims of Leadership, Courage, Independence, and Intelligence, they're all false.
9. Blog only as a last resort.
10. Call Mary Detwiler NOW!