I'm in the "war room" - the Webb control room - for the debate. I'll report any interesting developments as they take place. Right now, I'm watching people eating lunch; not particularly exciting, but that will soon change! :)One interesting note: independent Green candidate Gail "for rail" Parker is hangin' in the hallway, handing out literature since she is excluded from the debate.
Update: the guests are now eating their salads. I just talked to George Stephanopolous, along with Ben Tribbett, Virginia Centrist, and the Crashing the States boys. Stephanopolous said he was looking forward to the debate, that he's "just a traffic cop," and that it should be fun.
Introducing George Stephanopolous...
"I wouldn't miss this for the world." Ground rules for the debate.
Panelists: Mark Plotkin (WTOP), Peggy Fox (WUSA TV), Jeff Schapiro (RTD).
Welcome to candidates. Allen, then Webb.
Allen opening statement. Greetings to wife, John Warner, Tom Davis. "Over the years we've worked together...I understand the agony and congestion. Traffic. Violent gangs. Make Virginia the world capital for innovation. Less taxation. Energy independence. You can count on me...
Jim Webb: Greets wife, Senator Warner. How proud I am to be standing here as a candidate for United States Senate. We're a multicultural society. Most creative society on earth. Was looking at picture of grandfather; sharecropper in east Arkansas...was wondering what he'd be thinking about if he could see Jim Webb this day. Responsibility to take care of all Americans, particularly those sent into harm's way.
George S.: Chief source of abrasion from being multicultural society?
Webb: This is how the U.S. always is. Great aspect of our society. Our foreign policy today is in complete disarray. "3 Americas" - we are breaking apart in a way that we never have before. People at the top have never had it so good, and that's not a class warfare comment. Middle class is in great danger right now. We need people who will focus on that.
Allen: We have one America. Jamestown was the cradle of American liberty. Continue to be the magnet for the best minds in the world. Difference with my opponent. More young people interested in science and technology. H1-B visas are essential. More women, African Americans, Latinos interested in science and technology.
Webb: We have one America as a people, three Americas in terms of our economy. H1-B visas,we need people in the US Congress who will look after the American worker, and that's what I have pledged to do.
Plotkin: "Democracy is not a spectator sport." DC statehood?
Allen: Representative democracy is very important. DC was created to be the seat of government. Davis' bill is an interesting, worthwhile approach. Federal enclave; the balance ceded back to Maryland.
Plotkin: If Davis bill passes the House, will you vote yes or no?
Allen: I prefer ceding back non-federal part to Maryland. I would amend his bill.
Webb; I laughed because I knew you were going to ask it. I support the bill. Interesting to see a plebiscite. I would vote for the bill if it came over.
Fox: Made up word "Macaca." The word is a racial slur in Tunisia. Your mother is Tunisian.
Allen: I hope you're not trying to bring my mother into this. I've apologized. It's not who I am, it's not what I believe in. Meritocracy. Grandfather incarcerated by the Nazis. There was no intent whatsoever to insult that young man.
Fox: Possible Jewish ancestry? Grandfather Felix was Jewish?
Allen: First freedom in our country was freedom of religion. To be getting into what religion my mother was is not relevant. Why is that relevant?
Fox: Honesty, that's all.
Allen: Let's ask questions about issues that really matter to Virginians. Preserving our foundational values, not making aspersions.
Webb: Difficulty with that incident - dividing people (Karl Rove era of campaigning) rather than looking at issues. I had a camera in my face from 3 feet away for months. Allen made comments about my own relationship with SWVA. I've been coming to SWVA since George Allen was a Californian. Deliberate misrepresentation of my background, like in the Reagan ads. Not going to comment on where Allen got that word from. Deliberate misrepresentation of my record and who I am. It's NOT the people of SWVA. The night before, Sidarth spent the night at the home of one of my relatives.
Allen: No idea what that word meant. I started my professional career in SWVA, it's a place in my heart not a place to write about in books.
Schapiro: WalMart boycott.
Webb: Have not discussed WalMart boycott with organized labor. What is this "fact vs. fiction." More collective bargaining in this country, reinvigorate organized labor - globalization, outsourcing. More than 70% of products in WalMart are made in China. They don't take care of their people.
Allen: Virginia has a "right to work" law. WalMart - when I was in SWVA, folks were really happy that WalMart was opening up and providing opportunities for people. We need to have litigation reform. Health savings accounts. Small business health plans.
Stephanopolous: Health care. What is your plan to give all Americans health insurance?
Webb: Lack of barganing power due to internationalization of our economy. It's affecting all areas of American workers. Haven't raised minimum wage; Allen has voted to raise his own pay, has voted against raising min. wage. We need to move towards a system like the Mitt Romney plan in Massachusetts.
I'm not opposed to the right to work law. They were happy to get jobs in SWVA because their jobs are going overseas.
Allen: Concrete record of performance. Pooled insurance. My opponent is not for it, because the union bosses are not for it.
Webb: You and I have had health plans. There are people out there for whom tax credits just don't fit into their plans.
Plotkin: Embryonic stem cell research. You voted against it. Why?
Allen: I am for stem cell research, but not for the type that would destroy a human embryo. Adult stem cells. That's the sort of funding that I'm a strong advocate for. Human embryos shouldn't be created just to be destroyed. That's federal funding. That does not prohibit private sector or states to do it.
Webb: I would have voted for embryonic stem cell reearch. Has the weight of medical science behind it. We need to show respect for human life. These were embryos that were not going to become human life. Nancy Reagan - one of her key points. Yes, I would vote for it. Need to apply this research to grave diseases like Alzheimers, etc.
Allen: We can get all the properties of human stem cells with destroying an embryo. I wish he would respect Nancy Reagan and women in general...
George S.: Are you against in vitro fertilization?
Allen: I'm not against in vitro fertilization.
George S.: What's the distinction?
Allen: I don't think embroys should be created for sole purpose of being destroyed.
Peggy Fox: War in Iraq. What are we fighting for and when will they come home.
Allen: The security of the United States of America. This issue drives my opponent's campaign. No substantive difference with my opponent. It is a tough slog there. Webb said we should invite in Iran and Syria, two state sponsors of terror.
Webb: We've been divided from day 1 on this issue. I could go through a whole litany. Allen said we should be talking even to our enemies. In Afghanistan, we brought all the countries to the table. No great country should be afraid to talk to any other country. 1971: China, Nixon began a process in which we brought China back into the world community. This Administration has blinders on this issue.
Stephanopolous: One key difference between you and Sen. Allen.
Webb: There are a broad number of them. Key difference is that he is comfortable with the idea that we can stay in Iraq for 20-30 years. I believe we need to get combat forces out of Iraq.
Allen: As usual, there is no clear plan from Mr. Webb. For the most part, there is agreement.
Webb: The Prime Minister of Iraq is talking to Iran. You are not going to have peace in the Middle East unless you bring in all the countries in the region.
Schapiro: Opposed federal motor voter laws. States rights. Concealed weapons permits from other states. How do you reconcile?
Allen: Very easily. Motor voter law was an unfunded mandate. Concealed carry laws - reciprocity amongst the various states. Important for personal safety. States' prerogratives are preserved.
Webb: One area that Sen. Allen and I do agree. As long as the legislation creates reciprocity among the states, it's a good thing. I have a permit to carry. Every American who so chooses has a right to defend their homes.
Allen: Right to carry for law enforcement officers. Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed me.
Plotkin: War in Iraq. Would you vote for a cutoff of appropriations to fund the war? That's how the Vietnam War ended.
Webb: That's not really how the Vietnam War ended. We got in precipitously, we need to get out carefully. I would want to ask hard questions about these four permanent bases being built in Iraq. We need a different type of leadership on this issue. Need to convene a conference, bring people to the table, start working to solve this problem. General Zinni and others warned that this would empower Iran. I would not vote to cut off funds; it is not the way to solve the problem.
Plotkin: Divide up Iraq into three parts?
Allen: Kurdish north is doing well. Shi'ite area is doing fairly well. The tough area is the Baghdad area. Gratitude to this country for liberating them from Saddam Hussein. Dividend for oil revenues like in Alaska Permanent Fund.
Webb: They're blowing up pipelines right now. THe insurgency is active largely because they resent the American presence. You don't get to talk to a full range of people when you go on these Congressional visits. The real difficulty is to get American combat forces out of the way.
Peggy Fox: Negative opinions about women, "Women Can't Fight," "horny woman's dream." Are you sorry?
Webb: I've attempted to apologize for the tone of the article. The issues in the article 27 years ago, talking about women in specific combat billets. That was an important issue at the time. Where the US military is today, I'm very comfortable with it. Sec. Navy, I opened up more billets to women than any Secretary of the Navy in history on my own initiative. Also instituted stronger provisions on sexual harrassment. I apologize to anyone who was offended by the tone of the article.
Allen: 5 women midshipment still feel demeaned. Women still today are dismayed that you continue to rationalize those words. VMI. Webb continuing to degrade and disrespect women. Nancy Reagan.
Webb: I guess this is my "macaca" payback. I've had a lot of women write to me.
Schapiro: Virginia General Assembly - transportation. Anti-tax hawk. New taxes for roads/rail?
Allen: Asking me to meddle in state affairs. The General Assembly will work this out. The rold of the Federal government is to help. More lanes inside the Beltway (I-66). Public-private transportation act. HOT lanes. Transit. Less congestion. Work across party lines.
Webb: Three quick points. I agree on the need for private investment. Vietnam - one of the only ways to bring infrastructure into that country. Virginia only getting 91 cents out of every dollar that goes out of the state in gas tax revenues. We've got a great governor, I look forward very much to working with him in the future.
Allen: More oil and gas developed in this country. Offshore drilling- 50% of that money goes to transportation in Virginia.
Allen closing statement: There are many issues important for the future of our Commonwealth and our nation. You know me. More prosperous and safer Commonwealth for all of our citizens. Virginia open for business. Brought in computer memory chip manufacturers when I was governor. Ideas that will actually move this country forward. I'm the only candidate with a plan for energy independence. Blessed by all the technology companies. Distance learning. We are not graduating enough graduates. Team America needs to compete. I hope and pray that you will continue to allow us to work for you.
Webb: Grateful to have been able to be up here as candidate for US Senate. Technology has helped to reshape our economy, and I tend to think that Mark Warner has a little bit to do with that. Leadership in this country from 9/11 to Katrina, not simply one issue. Every poll that we see shows that 2/3 of people in this country believe it's headed in the wrong direction. I can bring to the table a variety of experiences that will allow me to see a lot of these issues differently. I have written books, George, I confess. When I go to my grave, whether I was a United States Senator or not is not going to be high on my agenda. Helping to ease the divisions in this country. Social justice. Stand up to an Adjministration which has abused its constitutional powers.
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 represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
Lowell-so excited! I can't wait for your live blog, bc I am at work today and don't know how much I will be able to watch. This will be available for future viewing, correct?
In any event, have fun, take great notes (I know you will) and enjoy watching Allen squirm.
I hope Allen gets reduced to saying "I'm from a football family" again. . .
Allen is already repeating himself.
In fact, he never answered the question. He got flustered, offended--as though he'd been asked something shameful--and then didn't give a clear answer.
Very bizarre. If he's not ashamed of the idea of being (part) Jewish, why not just say:
"No, she's not Jewish. Why is that relevant?"
or:
"Yes, her family is Jewish, though as far as I know she was raised a Christian. Why is that relevant?" (Note that the "far as I know" comment, bizarre in itself, is in fact what he said in his non-answer.)
or:
"I don't know, actually. Why is that relevant?"
Instead, he validated the question by reacting with such visible discomfort.
Why is the possibility of having Jewish ancestry a source of visible discomfort for this guy???
Webb is doing real well right now so don't blow it by giving Wadhams and Company an opening to revisit the Joe Stanley hooked-nose cartoon controversy from the primary...
Now he's going to carp about bringing his mother into this. He just happenned to make up a word that actually exists.
And Lambert's endorsement.
Follow up: Jewish ancestry. why are they letting the audience boo and clap?
But the crowd was at best luke warm to Allen the entire debate. If you couldn't hear that, you didn't have your ears on. And its not just the messenger, its the oh so important message on policies across the board.
And walmart sucks, asshole.
Can anyone say Ford? 75,000 jobs vanished- reason #1- their cars get $1,500 added to the cost for healthcare. That's a failure of our government. Thanks George.
This is the Pascrell, Defend the American Dream Act, which stops the loop holes which allow corporations to hire H-1Bs WITHOUT offering the job to an American 1st AND allows them to pay below the prevailing wage.
That, believe me, is going to pull in an entire group of people who's professional careers are now being decimated due to insourcing.
YIPPIE!
Also, so far Webb is kicking Allen's ass 100% on economic issues!
and he said he's not for human cloning. Whew. I may switch my vote.
But then Webb counters nicely with scientific fact, so maybe not.
Allen is reprehensible, a liar, and ill-informed.
November 7th!
And he's a complete diaster on the war.
Wow. Bam. That was hilarious.
Warner for President 2008!
Thanks!
George Allen doesn't understand this. While I'll have to see the transcript, he doesn't seem to understand that researchers would just be using embryos that get thrown away.
Effin stupidity or effin political cupidity
I love the contrast in the closing statements. Allen talks about technology issues, as important as they are, way too extensively. Webb's response about Warner was great, as was the rest of his response.
I love the contrast of how each wants the Senate seat. Allen doesn't want it because he doesn't want to be President, Webb doesn't want it because he's not overly ambitious and it's never been his life's goal to be a US Senator - his goal has been serving our country.
He has made enormous improvements on nearly all aspects of his campaign...but...
His answers today content-wise were quite good but his constant referral to his notes today took away from his ability to deliver the knock out punches that he is perfectly capable of delivering on his own...and left him looking less confident than he could be.
He also slouched and leaned on the podium quite a bit..once again diminishing his stage and camera presentation.
Luckily this debate will not be as widely viewed as the MTP debate.
**except when he is speaking about the Iraq war- he needs no notes for that and he is extremely effective when speaking on that subject.
A Webb consultant tells me that the Meet The Press debate in which Webb kicked Allen's ass has proven to be a financial boon to Webb. In the 24 hours since the debate, the campaign scored over $100,000 online, unsolicited. That's not including offline fundraising.
In the debate answer over VMI, George Allen stated that the women's "equivalent" program was at Mary WASHINGTON in Fredericksburg. Incorrect! That program was (and is still) at Mary BALDWIN in Staunton. Anytime his campaign tries to start up on the Craney Island issue...we have the reply.
If you cannot tell the difference between the two colleges (and other details about your constituency), you should not be serving this state.