Like Jim Webb, my primary allegiance is to my country. I see the situation we are living in, and realize that unless we bring smart, capable leaders with a conscience back into public service, we are doomed to uncertain consequences ranging from a prolonged deficit to World War III. Like Jim Webb, I believe that the Democratic Party has provided the platform for which public service and meaningful change has a welcome home. Clearly the Democratic Party has had a history of pushing for important change in the face of cultural and political opposition. The Democratic Party got us out of the Great Depression and led us during World War II. The Democratic Party pushed for major increases in energy efficiency and fuel economy that got us out of the energy crises of the 1970s and 1980s. The Democratic Party has been the main proponent of a strong middle class, and indeed a strong middle class has proven time and time again to be the main purveyor of economic growth.
Today, as our nation faces the greatest challenges of our lives; an emerging energy crisis, the War on terror, and crippling foreign debt and domestic deficits, it is time to abandon the politics of old and get behind leaders who will stand up to the special interests and fight for the meaningful changes to save our nation before it is too late.
As I talk to Democrats across the Virginia, I see two faces. One face is that of a fighter. Democrats young and old unified to fight for the candidates that pit the politics of hope and change against the politics of fear and division. The other face is one of capitulation and reluctance. This face is from those entrenched few whose sole purpose seems to be furthering their careers; clinging to the notion that if they are really careful not to offend anyone, they will be rewarded when their well-funded candidates achieve victory.
I say to these so-called Democrats, that if you take that attitude you will surely fail, and will do only disservice to the candidates you consider your meal ticket. Anyone who cannot see the terrible predicament that vicious Republican politics has done to our country should be stripped of their college degrees and sent back to high school civics class. If these people think being against the War in Iraq and standing up to big businesses that abuse consumers is +óGé¼+ôon the fringe+óGé¼-¥ and won+óGé¼Gäót play in the conservative-leaning districts, they are dead wrong.
The Democratic Party will only win if we are strong. Remember the strength of James Carville who in 1992 led the fight against a strong incumbent and through bold, determined tactics, helped Democrats win the Presidency in a landslide for the first time in nearly 3 decades. Today, the lessons of 1992 have been too often forgotten. In some, I see a defeatist attitude out there that Webb isn+óGé¼Gäót ready for prime time. This is despite the fact that he has over 2,500 volunteers, a tremendous rapid-response to Allen+óGé¼Gäós attacks and a statewide appeal unmatched by perhaps any candidate besides Mark Warner. I see Democrats who are afraid to help candidates if they don+óGé¼Gäót think it will immediately benefit them. They seem to be motivated by career advancement instead of meaningful change. The positive face of the Democratic Party seems to be motivated by helping people. After all, pursuing meaningful policies toward the public good is part of the Democratic Party philosophy.
You know what I say to all those Democrats with a defeatist attitude? Either help us achieve victory, or quit and do something else with your life. If you are afraid of offending anybody, how about working as a marketer for PEPSI or WALMART. Write entertainment columns or work as Hollywood publicists. Work for the network news. Just get the hell out of the way so the rest of us can fight for change and you can spend your time trying to build your bank account to buy a nicer car or a bigger apartment.
The bottom line is that Jim Webb will fight for us, and all it takes for him to win is for Democrats across the Commonwealth to unite behind him. Webb is the candidate the Democratic Party has been waiting for. He is a true hero with the legitimate credentials to help America fight the War on terror. George Allen is a dangerous person (just ask his sister) who has consistently fought for big business and extremists like Pat Robertson. All his money can+óGé¼Gäót wipe the scum off his despicable record. If 6 more years of George Allen (or even a Presidential run) doesn+óGé¼Gäót scare you, then you obviously don+óGé¼Gäót understand the pain his policies and the policies of his 96% compatible voting with George W. Bush has unleashed on so many of our friends and neighbors.
This is your chance to do something beyond your own selfish needs. Fight for Jim Webb, even if doing so won+óGé¼Gäót garner you a big screen TV, or get you laid. I know this is a hard sell because a big screen TV might help get you laid, but sometimes the future of your country is more important than your own petty needs.
We who are fighting for Jim Webb may run the gamut between liberal and conservative, but all of us believe our country MUST do better. We are not all part of the wealthy elite. We are not all the children of comfort. We are fighting to make life a little easier for people we haven+óGé¼Gäót even met: Our troops, our working-class neighbors, and those who have lost their pensions and their health care and are forced to live in constant fear of bankruptcy and destitution. Please join us in our unified vision of a better world. If you don+óGé¼Gäót think Webb has a good shot of winning as it stands, then come out and help him. All that stands in the way of Jim Webb and victory is our belief that he can win, and our efforts to make it happen.
Here's a partial list of what is at stake in this election:
*The polar ice caps melting and the polar bears drowning
*The war in Iraq dragging on and on and on...
*The continued assault on our constitutional rights as citizens
*The separation of powers being destroyed by Bush & Co.
*The growing economic inequality in this country
*The need for embryonic stem cell research to cure horrible diseases
*The ongoing, massive budget and trade deficits that threaten a recession
*The future of Social Security and Medicare
Frankly, if these things aren't enough to get you motivated to work hard towards electing Webb (and Feder, Hurst, Kellam, Weed, etc.) and defeating Allen (and Wolf, Davis, Drake, Goode, etc.), then you are not much of a Democrat, if you are a Democrat at all. If you are one of those people who prefers to sit back and snipe at every "problem" or "issue" you see with the Webb (or Feder or Hurst or...) campaign, then you are not much of a Democrat, if you are a Democrat at all. And if you are one of those people who lets petty, personal issues get in the way of addressing the issues listed above, then you are not much of a Democrat, if you are a Democrat at all. Basically, if you are any of these things, all I have to say to you is...well, it's unprintable in a family blog. But the first part of it starts with the letter F, let's just put it that way.
***end MY rant***
:)
Suggesting that Democrats who may have drank a weaker brand of Kool Aid or don't have the time or inclination to show up at Webb headquarters are selfish and...
-want to get laid
-prefer a big screen TV
-have petty needs
-practice the politics of capitulation and reluctance
-don't understand
-are defeatists
-want to build their bank accounts
-want to further their careers
-want a better car
-are afraid to help candidates
... is a bunch of crap.
This is no way to encourage Democrats to do more than give Jim Webb their vote in November.
When are the Webb campaign and the Webbies going to move in a positive direction, rather than attack anyone or anything that doesn't see the world exactly as they do through their rose-colored glasses?
There are plenty of Democrats out there who are going to work hard for Hurst or Kellam or Feder or Moran or O'Donnell or Weed who are also going to vote for Webb.
But they are turned off by the over-the-top rhetoric, the negative tone of the campaign, the chaos that exists by headquarters, and the lack of a positive message defining Webb and his positions on issues.
Before you cast aspersions at good Democrats who are working hard for the party and will work hard for Webb, turn a mirror on yourselves.
Don't suggest that Democrats should quit their party and work at WALMART just because they are not as fervent in their support for Webb as you are.
The Webb campaign and its paid bloggers alienated a large part of the Democratic Party with vicious attacks throughout the primary on Miller AND his supporters. Those supporters are coming back slowly but surely, but rhetoric like this doesn't help the process.
Save your venom for the enemy -- George Allen and Dick Wadhams. Don't alienate those who you need to win in November by calling them Republicans and other names or telling them to quit and get out of the way.
Mainstream Democrats need to see positive messages emanating from the Webb campaign. They need to hear about issues. They need to see order and competence and professionalism in the Webb campaign.
Get your own house in order. Show some progress in field operations and fundraising and those Democrats that still harbor reservations about Webb will come around after Labor Day. Continue to insult and criticize the base Webb needs to win and you'll regret it on election day.
The Lamont win in CT is proof that incumbent Republican Senators can be defeated. I, like many others, had thought that a win for Lamont in Connecticut would be a great boost for all the Democratic challengers around the country. So I went up there to be where the action was. What I didn’t know was how much encouragement I would take from talking to those determined and courageous voters there who proved that it can be done.
One independent on his way in to vote told me that if Lamont did not win the primary he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to vote ever again. His determination to make a difference did indeed make a difference, and his effort was rewarded with a renewed faith in our system. His example should renew our faith and determination as well. I think the frustration level here in Virginia is as high as it is in Connecticut, and that many in Virginia will come out on election day to make what they would say is their last stand.
The majority of the Lamont supporters I came in contact with are unassuming, but they seemed to have the determination of a person on a mission. This was no ordinary election for them. They told me this was something that had to be done.
These are the same sentiments I'm hearing here. This is no ordinary election here in VA. I don't think the pundits understand what happened in CT, and it is difficult to get a handle on who is actually supporting Webb because it is not business a usual.
There was more encouragement last night at a reception in Arlington where I met the candidate for the first time. Mr. Webb told us that as he has traveled around the state the turn outs have in many cases been double or more than expected. These are the so far unheard and uncounted voters who want change. Take heart, but don't stop sounding the call.