My office is in the Corporate Research Center and I had no idea this was where Webb was coming- what a great surprise! Great to see the big truck and all the yard signs- sorry they couldn't stay where you planted them. I hope the campaign got to see some of the huge signs that are up permanently around town and all the bumper stickers cropping up. We're one month from tailgating season here and the folks that park on all our streets are going to see Webb signs everywhere. I have spotted one Allen bumper sticker, and that's it. Blacksburg business is going to be behind Webb big time- his statement on net neutrality and leaning toward fair trade, not free trade, will play huge down here. Thanks for all your work.

Last night (July 31) more that one hundred people attended a chicken dinner and meet-and-greet with Jim Webb in Roanoke County.
As usual, Jim Webb was his authentic, accessible self. He arrived on time at 7 p.m. (good job, considering the hectic schedule he had!), talked for a while and then spent the rest of the time one-on-one with people there.
Also in attendance were Sen. Creigh Deeds, the man we almost got elected as attorney general, and Sen. John Edwards of Roanoke.
The energy at the event bodes well for the campaign, but we all have lots of work to do to get this fine man elected in Virginia. It won't be easy, and we will need every vote we can get in southwest Virginia.
Everybody in attendance was very impressed with Jim Webb, but that is to be expected. Anyone who meets this authentic man will vote for him. He will be a refreshing change from Felix Allen and his pompous ego.
By the way, someone at the event reminded us all that Felix still holds the UVA "record" for throwing six interceptions in one football game. At least Felix can say he did something! His record as a football player seems to match his dubious one as a "senator."

Oops, lest I malign the "prowess" of Mr. Dude Ranch, George FELIX Allen shares the record of five interceptions thrown in one game with a couple of other bad quarterbacks for the Cavaliers.
Felix Junior made his record playing against Maryland in 1972, about the same time that Jim Webb was a hero in Vietnam.

and widely distributed in N Virginia down to C'Ville.  It is a small thing, but one that just might swing some votes?

See here.

That caused UVA to consider ending it's football program back in the 1970's?

UVA hadn't had a winning season since the '60's.  Matter of fact I don't think the Woo's had a winning season in the '70's!  Now thats a record ol' George Allen won't share with you.

...or do you just like to write about those who play it.

Which is why I never watch VMI.  Cave Spring HS plays better ball.

come up to the boxing ring. Nothin' like trading a little leather to get the blood pumping.  Dave, your man Webb might be able to show you a move or two.

We had a great boxing instructor, Coach King.  He was a veteran of Iwo Jima.  He had these giant bear-like paws -- and he never hesitated to knock the crap out of someone.  In order to get an "A" in the boxing class, you had to either bleed or draw blood.  I got a "B+." 

Bubby (aka MCS) of Vinton, I was right months ago about Webb's name identification, wasn't I?  I think your comment in April was that Webb had universal name id.  Looks like the numbers prove me to be correct.

Guess who UVA plays on October 14th at home, right in the middle of the campaign? THATS RIGHT, MARYLAND!!!

Lowell, you think you could get some folks in Arlington to print up some flyers reminding Wahoos that George Allen is both a bad Senator and a bad football player ;)!!!

is not a good way to get votes from UVA fans or football fans for that matter.  If you think it is, you don't know much about football or UVA.  May help you with some Hokies but I wouldn't remind UVA fans that Allen is a former starting QB for the Wahoos.  If you don't believe me, just watch the UVA fans clamor around Allen at a game.

Ummm, if they are clamoring around him maybe they are already lost.  But maybe a little truthiness will go a long way, just not overdone.  They are clamoring around a loser.  Tell 'em once.

You guys think people will actually vote for Webb because you call Allen "Felix," or talk about him being a cowboy or say he sucked at football?  We have to have more than that.  Do you have any idea how few people are good enough to play D-1A football on full scholarship and then actually start?  It isn't like the guy got a "courtesy" scholarship and then rode the bench.  The guy started.  How many people here can say that=?  You think making fun of his football career is the way Webb wants his campaign run.

I'm just getting increasingly frustrated with the tone of this campaign.  I'd like to blame it on Webb's "passionate supporters" who aren't political pros but it's the same thing we're constantly getting from Jardings' press releases.

I'm gonna do my part but I feel like this campaign has moved away from promoting the greatness of Webb and become fixated on mocking Allen.  Webb won't win that way.  Webb is a great man and his campaign should be about that, not some 5th grade mocking of the opponents name and football career.  Now flame away if you must but I just can't take this anymore.

You make a valid point, we need to build up Webb more. But we have to give voters a reason to not support Allen either. Remember at the debate, Webb was criticized for not drawing enough distinctions with Allen. We can't just play up Webb, we have to cut down Allen a little too. It's just how the game is played.

As for the campaign sounding like a 5th grade mocking, welcome to politics. People call each other names, make immature generalizations, and get a little dirty.

You don't think Allen won't do this? He mocked Webb for 'only' serving 10 months as Secretary of the Navy, also while ignoring his time as Assistant Secretary of Defense. I'm not sure because I 'don't know much' about football, but I'm pretty sure a lot fewer people have done that than played D-I football.

I don't want to underscore how much I agree with you that we need to continue to build up Webb's narrative and present his positive story to Virginia. But if you think we can win without some having a little mischeif at Allen's expense, then I just think you're wrong.

We absolutely need to be drawing distinctions between Webb and Allen.  However, they should be relevant, substantive distinctions.  As for mocking the other guy, I'm all for "passionate supporters" having a little fun at the other guy's expense.  However, when the actual campaign itself loses its substantive message in the same type of goofiness, we have a problem.

The point is, anyone who thinks VA voters are gonna say "I wasn't sure about this race but now that I know Allen threw 5 interceptions I'll vote for Webb" is just crazy.  Allen's cut at Webb's service as Sec. of the Navy went to the substance of what makes Webb a formidable candidate (even if untrue).  Calling Allen "Felix" doesn't advance the cause, draw any viable distinction or do anything but make us look silly. 

This is where we fall behind the Republicans.  They've mastered the art of manipulating facts that go to substantive issues.  Kerry makes service an issue and the Rs find a way to manipulate it back on him.  We respond with "yeah well your name is Felix and you threw a lot of interceptions."  You tell me "welcome to politics?"  I say, welcome to losing politics.  Time to get professional or we all get 6 more years of Allen.

Again, I continue to agree that Webb has to draw distinctions from Allen and do it in a positive way.

As far as falling behind the Republicans, I think they're very good at planting seeds of doubt in voters mind that they then make into larger attacks on their character (JOHN KERRY SPEAKS FRENCH!!!). I think that campaign is too smart to think that calling him Felix is going to win the election.

The purpose of the Felix and other silliness it this:
1. It's a shot across the bow to the Allen campaign that if they want to play dirty and immature, we've got an arsenal to go right back at you.
2. Calling him a fake California cowboy plants seeds of doubt in voters minds about his authenticity (NOVA! NOVA!).

I do really think we're right about at the same place, but don't think that this is going to be the direction the campaign stays in. Its funny, a little irrelevant, and some red meat to feed the base before we hit primetime after Labor Day.

And I think that mocking Allen is especially effective among the younger crowd. I'm ashamed to admit it, but of the few college kids who do vote, very few of them make their decisions on sound policy analysis. Probably more than half make it on immature generalizations, "Bush is stupid", "Kilgore talks funny", "Kerry is a sissy", "Kaine loves Death Row Inmates". I'm not trying to say you're wrong on all counts, but I don't think you understand the mind of a college student.

Every football program has it's period of stumblebum goof-off losers. You fire the coach, release the players and rebuild. Its just that in this case the Wahoos QB went on to politics and continues his record of poor performance.

 

I think the good ole' boy contingent at UVA is in love with him, but I think the people at UVA who don't have parents that makes over 100k a year don't give a shit what he did. Him being a bad QB just shows how fake and unauthentic he is when he constantly talks of football metaphors.

If you're going to talk up an issue, have the background to back it up. I think it's funny as hell. Plus I think the narrative "He failed our football team, now he's failing our state" would resonate.

And although I do attend the worst football school in the ACC, I take your challenge that I don't know much about football as an assault on my manhood and my character. I wish we were in the time when we could settle challenges like this in a duel. :-0

First, UVA remains a "good ole boy" school with very few students whose parents don't make that much money (yes I know there are exceptions).  Furthermore, only a small percentage of UVA students can and do vote in VA elections.  Campaigning around UVA football isn't about current students, it's about alumni who don't take kindly to their football team being mocked.  As I've said in many other posts, if the people calling the shots at the Webb campaign actually believe calling Allen "Felix", mocking his football career and joking about cowboys will actually win votes then we might as well all quit now.

Now, where there is value is the juxtaposition of Allen on the football field to Webb on the battlefied.  The problem is, this campaign is so consumed with silliness that the message isn't getting out.  Webb is a serious candidate with a serious resume and his supporters are turning this campaign into a joke.

I'm not sure of your age va.walter, but I'm guessing you're not 20. From the people I know at UVA, the good ole' boy contingent is rapidly shrinking. In fact that part of the school feels in crisis mode because UVA is expanding diversity actively.

Most UVA students can vote in UVA elections, as the school is 2/3 in-state. Plus,every UVA student can vote in Va elections, all they have to do is change their voter registration to UVA.

Furthermore, if mocking Allen's football career is akin to mocking UVA football, why isn't mocking John Kerry's military service the same as mocking the Navy? I think that due to his anti-war activities that reasonable people could feel insecure about Kerry without smearing him, and I think reasonable Wahoo fans could say that Allen throwing 5 picks in a game could see its mocking Allen, not the Cavs.

I think you're too anxious about the campaign not getting off the ground. The seeds are being planted, things are happening behind the scenes, and Webb is going to run a solid, positive campaign.

I'm really pleased to see Jim out there connecting directly to the supporters.  I know the numbers don't look good in CD6, but then these folks haven't met Jim.  Listening, meeting face -to-face, and plain-talking will work.

..and the simple fact that Webb hasn't met them yet is precisely why this is a failed campaign.  Your man hasn't put in the hardwork necessary to win.  Period.

It's almost too late to do anything in the 6th CD.  You are better off putting your efforts in elsewhere.

Va.walter, you should really read "Smashmouth" by Dana Milbank. It's a summary of the 2000 election and the behind the scenes wackiness and dirty politics that ultimately win elections. It's hilarious and very insightful. I have a copy I'd be willing to lend to you if you want.

Essential talking points (my opinion):

Jim Webb is a good alternative to same-old failing policies.
Allen=Bush

Jim Webb Wise leadership, real experience to get out of Iraq quagmire.
Allen=Bush

Jim Webb stands for Fair Trade and jobs in Virginia.
Allen stands for corporate profits and offshoring.

Jim Webb stands for reasonable energy policies.
Allen stands for Big Oil.

Jim Webb stands for fiscal responsibility.
Allen stands for raising the Fed deficit to $8.4 trillion.

Jim Webb stands for Veterans benefits.
Allen stands with Bush.

Asides:

Allen is kind of a dude ranch poser.
Webb is authentic.

Allen likes to dress up in Confederate uniforms, but never served in the US military.
Webb served in the US Marine Corps, and as Secretary of the Navy.

As a young man, Allen was a poor performing starting QB at UVA.
As a young man, Webb was a Marine rifle platoon and company commander in the An Hoa basin, one of the areas of heaviest fighting in Viet Nam. He was he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts.

...and on and on

I'd stick with essentials most of the time, and turn to the aside if the Allen camp is dominating. Webb's remarkable biography is much more than an aside, overall, and will naturally become part of any conversation about him.

When two people agree with one another 97% of the time, one of them doesn't need a job.

I wonder if Webb would apply it to his good buddy Chuck Hagel.

"Look at where we are in the Middle East with no process," the senator said in an address at the Brookings Institution. "Crisis diplomacy is no substitute for sustained, day-to-day engagement." Chuck Hagel

http://www.washingto...

And Alicia, thanks for the "unproductive" rating.  People around here need to lighten up and get out in the real world some if that comment was "unproductive."  It is a legitimate concern for many that Webb cites as 2 of his political role models, Reagan and Hagel.  Look up the numbers, Hagel and Allen might as well be the same person when it comes to voting.  Allen probably thinks that's good.  I hope it's bad and I hope Webb thinks it's bad.

We went to the event today downtown.  It was packed and quite a few Nelsonians were there including Al Weed.

I was very pleased to see another friend there -

And wow was it hot today!

I'll try to write somemore when I go home.