Webb vs. Allen Now on the "Radar Screen"

This past week was the week in which "macaca" became a household word all over America.  This past week was the week in which George Allen became a laughing stock on TV screens, on the internet, and at watercoolers across the country.  This past week was the week in which a 20-year-old Webb intern, S.R. Sidarth, became the face of the Democratic Party.  This past week was the week in which the old "Southern strategy" - including its pandering to prejudice by good ol' white boys against people of color - that we thought had gone the way of George Wallace, Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, and Richard Nixon came roaring back to life in the person of one George Allen.

But let's not forget a few other things about last week.  Last week was the week in which Jim Webb began laying out his policy vision, in great detail, for Virginia and for America.  Last week was the week in which Jim Webb delivered a major foreign policy/national security speech, one that only a man of world-class intellect, experience, training and temperament like Jim Webb could pull off successfully.
Last week was the week in which the breadth and intensity of support for Jim Webb skyrocketed, not just in Virgina but across America.  Last week was the week in which people who previously had been following this race casually focused like laser beams on our great Commonwealth.  Last week was the week in which visits to the Webb campaign's website surged, calls to Webb headquarters (including from Republicans angry at "macaca" and planning to support Jim Webb) went through the roof, money flowed in, while leaders like Barbara Boxer urged their supporters - with great success - to donate to the Webb campaign.  Last week was the week that Jim Webb came "home" to Southwest Virginia, vacationing with his "kin" (as he calls them) in that beautiful part of the state.  Finally, last week was the week in which Jim Webb surged in the polls while George Allen plummeted, turning this race into essentially a dead heat with 2 1/2 months to go.

So, where does this leave us?  According to UVA political science professor Larry Sabato, Virginia is now "the sixth seat that could turn over control [of the Senate] to the Democrats."  Already, according to Sabato, it looks like Democrats have a great chance to pick up Senate seats in Pennsylvania, Montana, Ohio, Rhode Island and Missouri.  Now, after George Allen's implosion last week - and Jim Webb's surging fortunes - we can all add Virginia to that list.  In fact, we can all put Virginia at the top of that list, because the Old Dominion very well could be the key to breaking the Republicans' stranglehold on the South, and therefore on the White House, in 2008 and for years to come. 

But wait, "Dr. Evil" is hatching his plans.  That's right, I'm talking about Allen's alter ego and top advisor Dick Wadhams, who is busy planning that "positive campaign" George Allen spoke of before he spoiled it all by launching into a bigotry-tainted tirade against a young minority in a sea of white men.  So, what is the "positive campaign" of George Allen and Dick Wadhams going to be?  Let's hear it from Dick Wadham's own mouth:  "Those anti-Semitic fliers are going to be an issue going forward in this entire campaign."  That's it. That's George Allen's positive vision for America.  Run a campaign just like Jerry Kilgore and Scott "Hitler Ad" Howell did last year.  Hey, it worked for them, right?  Uhhhhhh....

Meanwhile, Jim Webb will continue on his positive, classy, issues-based way.  In coming weeks, Jim Webb will be delivering detailed policy speeches on other issues, ranging from the economy to rebuilding our nation's infrastructure (e.g., post-Katrina New Orleans).  In coming weeks, Jim Webb will be traveling all across Virginia, listening and talking with RESPECT to people of all colors, religions, shapes and sizes.  In coming weeks, Jim Webb will be demonstrating why he, not George "Macaca" Allen, is by far the best choice to lead Virginia "forward together," along with Governors Warner and Kaine, into a bright future of opportunity and openness for all.

So remember, when you see gushers of negativity spewing forth from the Allen campaign, try not to respond in kind.  Instead, talk about Jim Webb's positive vision for Virginia and for America.  Talk about educating and caring for people here in America.  Talk about ending the tragic and bloody quagmire in Iraq - where Jim Webb's own Marine son ("skin in the game") is scheduled to deploy in coming weeks.  Talk about restoring our system of checks and balances, of reining in the out-of-control Executive Branch, and of defending our great Constitution from those who would tarnish it, bypass it, even trample upon it.  Finally, talk about ending the era - or perhaps I should say "error" - of extremist "conservative" policies that have brought debt, death and ruin to America.

Oh, and when you're done talking, get out there and work to elect Jim Webb.  Host or attend a house party for Webb on September 10 (contact Jason Korta or me at 703-778-4080).  And give generously to the Webb campaign, so that we can get out our positive message and fight back against whatever garbage Wadhams, Allen and Howell throw at us.

Thank you, and go Webb!

P.S.  Photo courtesy of "VA Dare."

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

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