Doug Wilder Endorses Jim Webb

First, as I believe PhriendlyJaime mentioned, this was a STRONG endorsement.  No hedging, no equivocation, this was very clear:  According to Mayor and former Governor Douglas Wilder, Jim Webb is the best candidate for U.S. Senate from Virginia, Mayor Wilder endorses him "wholeheartedly" and encourages others to do so as well.  Even better, Wilder made it clear that he will be campaigning with Jim during the remainder of the campaign and will cut a commercial for Jim if asked to do so. That's awesome news; Doug Wilder is, to quote Jim Webb, "respected across Virginia."

Second, according to Mayor Wilder, the United States is facing big problems right now - the "misguided" Iraq "quagmire," the corporate and personal scandals that are rampant, the inefficiency and ineptitude in our national government, the divisiveness in our national politics, the erosion of our "personal freedoms," the "breakdown of society along class lines," the "unfair tax breaks that benefit special interests," etc., etc.  According to Wilder, we need an independent and strong voice in Washington, DC to "look out for individuals from all walks of life," not just the rich and powerful.
Third, on Iraq specifically, Wilder believes that American people were sold "a bill of goods," and that the money would have been better spent here at home.  For instance, Wilder mentioned, FEMA recently rejected assistance for flood damaage in Richmond's Battery Park.  According to Wilder, Iraq wasn't all President Bush's fault, and that "Bush couldn't do this by himself."  Instead, Iraq is the fault of all those - no names, but it was obvious who he was referring to - who have "given [Bush] carte blanche.  Regarding Allen's last-minute message shift on "staying the course" in Iraq, Wilder said, "you know how politicians are."

Fourth, Wilder noted that his endorsement wasn't "personal" or against George Allen.  To the contrary, his endorsement was strongly PRO-Webb.  Having said that, Wilder pointed out that two more years of "absolute control" would "send the wrong message to the President."  This Senate election in Virginia is, in Wilder's opinion, partly a referendum on the war in Iraq.  That's one reason, among numerous others, why people are "looking at Virginia" so intently these days.

Fifth, in response to a reporter's question, Wilder said that he was voting AGAINST the so-called "marriage amendment."  Wilder made a negative comment about changing the Constitution, and made it obvious that he thought that was the wrong thing to do in this case.

Sixth, Jim Webb received the endorsement with gratitude, praising Wilder as "a historical figure in our country," a man who has spent his life "in service to our country" (e.g, Korea) and in "breaking down barriers."  Webb said that he was "grateful to be sitting with him" and to receive this "very important endorsement."

In sum, this was a great endorsement and an important one of Jim Webb by Mayor Wilder.  Going into today, Jim Webb looked to have built up a nice bit of momentum.  Now, after the Wilder endorsement, that momentum just grew by an order of magnitude.  What a day for Jim Webb.  Thank you Mayor Wilder!

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.

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