it's time to stop talking about Craney Island.  All we're doing is keeping that debate moment in peoples' minds, exactly what the Allen campaign wants.  Sounds like Norfolk was a great event and I wish we didn't have to keep revisiting what was a less than great event (Craney Island).

It's just getting frustrating to keep reliving that moment (and yes I've probably talked about it too much also).  I feel like everytime we talk about Craney Island we're playing defense rather than offense.

...let's not talk about the way Allen avoids discussing real issues, by bringing up non-issues.  Instead of having an intelligent debate, he pulls tricks out of his hat.  "Craney Island" defines Allen, the way "swiftboating" defines Bush/Rove.  Whenever Allen tries to pull this stunt again...we'll say..."ah...another Craney Island"! 

It is pretty obvious that Craney Island was just another right-wing ploy to divert attention...not a Webb debate failure. 

You're playing defense.  Everytime we talk about Craney Island we're playing defense.  It's time to start playing offense.  The Craney Island line was used 4 days ago.  It's "news" cycle should have died 3 days ago.

You are suggesting that Webb do what John Kerry did regarding the swiftboating...just keep quiet and hope it goes away.  That sure worked out great!!  You don't play offense by running away or by defending yourself.  You change targets.  We have to stop letting them frame issues.  If they frame Craney Island as a Webb failure and we respond to it as such...then they can continue to use it against Webb through to Nov.  If we frame it ourselves...turn it into a verb that discribes Allen's tactics then we don't have to hide from it and we can use it against him. 

Craney Island may be history by next week.  But if the Webb team shows weakness, embarassment, etc...they will use it against him.

trust me on this Lowell.  No state or school board is required to take federal Title I funds.  The requirements of NCLB apply only if you do. Thu technically this is what is known as a condition of aid.  Let me give a similar example.  The requirements for federal highway funds as to drinking age, spped limits, and the like, are not Federal mandates, but they are requirements if you wish to receive the 90 cents on the dollar for constructing your state's portion of interstate highways. 

There is no doubt that many states are finding the requirements of implementing NCLB are greater than the additional funding provided for such purposes by the federal government.  But they do not have a right to the funds, and they can still choose to opt out, as Utah came close to doing until leaned on heavily by the Bush administration - it would have been embarrassing that the first state to reject the key domestic program of Bush was red Utah.

Least restrictive environment requirements under special ed are REQUIRED whether or not the state takes Title I funds.  So are IEPs (individual education plans), and 504 plans under the Rehabilitation Act.  These are mandated.  And the Congress has never met its promised 40% share of the average differential costs for special ed.  The max the Congress has ever provided is less than 20%.  According to recent figures compiled by the NEA, the average annual differential between regular and special ed is a bit of 9,600/student/year.  The different between 20% and 40% funding is 1920/student/year.  The last time I checked the Commonwealth of Virginia had around 167,000 identified special ed students.  That means the Old Dominion is being shortchanged over 300 million per year for what was originally promised on MANDATED costs. 

I have explained all this to the campaign in the past, including that 300 million plus figure...

Webb has a good background to provide effective leadership to keep the Oceana Naval Air Station here in Virginia.

I know that Allen supports Oceana, but in a quick search on the topic, I can't find much that he's done about it, other than a few quotes in the Virginia Pilot.

Now what about the rumor that Allen is planning to retire on Craney Island? That would be nice in November.

You think meeting with 5 party volunteers is getting out?  He needs more than 5 votes from decided party people to win in November.

Thanks for saying that. I inquired about attending this event after it was announced here and was told it was a private affair. I do know who the "privileged 5" were and I remain concerned that Hampton Roads, in the aggregate, is being ignored.

how about you hold a house party, conference call with Jim Webb included, on August 13?  In fact, for everyone who isn't happy with what's happening on the Webb campaign, I'd urge you to hold a house party and start helping to elect Jim Webb, instead of just talking about what's "wrong."

The issue everyone seems to have is the same issue they had in the primary....

Why isn't Webb out shaking hands 24/7.  He traveled to Norfolk to meet 5 people then left?  how is that good candidate management.

Travelling to Norfolk to meet with 5 people seems silly.  However, it pales in comparison to the fact that Webb travelled all the way out to Los Angeles and only raised $28,650 for his efforts.  Webb's time has to be used much more efficiently.  He needs to maximize the hands he shakes and the checks he collects.  Heck, he probably lost money flying all the way across the country to only come back with $28,000.

to constantly and publicly criticize every move Jim Webb makes?  What exactly are you trying to accomplish?  Do you want to help elect Jim Webb or what?  If so, are you throwing a house party, phone banking, taking charge of your local farmer's market, organizing a MeetUp in your area, canvassing, digging up stuff on George Allen to blog about, etc., etc?  If not, why not?

...how far it is, in the general public's mind, till election day.  Sure, it seems close to us, but really is anyone but the activists really even paying attention rill late August?

And it's not like Allen is blanketing the state with ads and signs.  At least not in Fairfax County he isn't.  I could understand complaints if we were behind Allen in anything but money, but the campaign hasn't even really started.  Won't start, I dare say, for at least another month.

So calm down people.  Most people are barely even aware there's an election, and fewer still have thought about who to vote for.  There's plenty of time to win.

that means he has to take the good with the bad.  If sensitivity is going to be added to the list of issues with this campaign we're in real trouble.  Anyway, it's not like hordes of undecided voters are hanging out at RK trying to gather information and determine which way they'll vote.  Furthermore, maybe if someone at Webb headquarters would return phone calls and emails we wouldn't have to post our thoughts in a public forum.  I'm still waiting for ________ (I won't use his name) to return my 2 calls from last week where he promised he'd get the information and get right back to me.

As for your specific question, yes, I'm doing all I can.  Won't be hosting a house party because I'll be in NYC but I'm doing my part.  Thanks for asking.

at lowell@webbforsenate.com and let me know what you need from _________.  I'll try to help.  Thanks.

Lowell we don't mean to harsh on whats going wrong, we just get anxious that more could be done. If you promise that things are happening then I'll take your word. It is only because we have such high expectations for the campaign and want to desperatley to see Webb elected that we get worried or critical. I'm very excited about the new Richmond office opening up and I'm ready to get my dialing fingers ready...

Excellent!

and not an "F" for Felix.

George Allen's report card: "F" from DrumMajor Institute for Public Policy.

Just what did he do Last Year..........what a failure!

see here:

http://www.drummajor...

Enjoyed reading the above interviews from local folks of Norfolk, Hampton, Virginia Beach. Sounds like Jim had fun too.
kc.