Other Remarks from Today's GOTV Rally

Jim Moran
Served as M.C., welcomed all the electeds and the crowd, introduced Andy Hurst.  Spoke powerfully about the "larger context" of this year's political races, which he called perhaps the most important ever for our country.  Talked about how 200 years ago, Virginians like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and George Mason (author of the Virginia Bill of Rights which was the basis for the national Bill of Rights) laid the "foundation for the greatness of this nation."  At that time, the colonies turned to Virginia for leadreship.  And those principles, values, and vision have sustained us and made us the greatest country on Earth.  Today, unfortunately, 2/3 of the world thinks that WE are the greatest threat to their security and freedom.  The reason?  This White House and Congress, which probably would have watered down or rejected the Bill of Rights if it had been presented to them.  "This government doesn't understand America's greatness."  And today, the nation is turning to three Virginians again.

Moran praised Mark Warner as having been the "best governor in the country."  He reminded the audience that Tim Kaine's opponent last year had also gotten desperate towards the end, and had attacked Tim Kaine's values, faith, compassion for people.  Kaine was able to rise above that, in large part because of his "values-centered" attitude.  According to Moran, Kaine "acts on those values."

Moran said that Jim Webb has roots in a great part of the state, southwestern Virginia, and that he understands ALL of Virginia.  Great line: "His opponent is everything Jim Webb is NOT."  Another great line: "I don't want to degrade this discussion by talking about [Webb's] opponent."  Moran went on to say that "Allen has no character," that Allen has been "the worst of any of the candidates" (ever?), and that Allen's going to "throw everything at Jim."  Moran praised Webb as "genuine" and "real."  He urged people to go read "Fields of Fire," Webb's greatest novel which "put the whole Vietnam War into context."  He declared that Jim Webb "can be a great leader for our country and for the world," and that "it's up to you."  Moran concluded, shouting, that Northern Virginia needs to turn out in force on November 7 and help send Jim Webb to the Senate.
Andy Hurst
Talked about how, just like in a basketball game, elections are all decided in the "last 2 minutes" (in this case, 2 weeks).  Said that if you're not passionate this year, you pretty much never will be.  Declared that George Allen is a "bad man."  Urged us all to get out there and "do something, do a lot" to "help my team win."  Said that he couldn't be prouder to be running on a ticket with Jim Webb, Judy Feder, and Jim Moran.  Introduced Judy Feder by asking the crowd (rhetorically), "do we have the best candidate EVER in the 10th?"

Judy Feder
Said that all over the country, people are hungry for change and accountability in Washington, DC.  With Frank Wolf, we'll just get "more of the same" and "we can't afford it."  Instead, according to Feder, we need a member of Congress who will hold Bush accountable and who will bring our troops home from Iraq.  We can't afford another term for Frank Wolf because we are building up a huge debt which is, de facto, "taxing our children and grandchildren."  We also can't afford Frank Wolf favoring big pharmaceuticals while ordinary people can't afford health care.  All in all, we need to chart a new course; now "let's do it!"

Mark Warner
In response to someone in the crowd asking him to reconsider his decision not to run for President, Warner said that he had a whole lot more campaigning and public service in him.  Joked affectionately about how we've all heard Jim Moran speeches...and heard them...and heard them.  Ha. :)  Said that "we can feel that the tide has moved in our direction."  We can feel the "incredible energy" and "we're ready to take back our country!" 

Warner said he could not think of a time when our country had faced more problems than now. Blamed the Administration and its "rubberstamp Congress  Noted that this is an Administration and Congress that "borrows money from China to buy oil from countries that don't like us!"  Talked about how the Administration has "no competitiveness strategy" for our country in a world economy.  Said that coming up with such a strategy would require an Administration that actually believes in science.

Commmented about the Senate race that Jim Webb has laid out his vision, and that "you would think his opponent would try to offer" one too. Instead, Allen "throws mud...smear, smear, smear."  This election isn't just about taking back our country, it's also about the kinds of campaigns we run this state.  Five years ago, we proved the naysayers - those who said the Democrats couldn't win - wrong.  Today, we've got another great Governor in Tim Kaine.  This year, we're going to surprise folks again.  Joked about how long he's known Tim Kaine, and how "Kaine became the lawyer, I became the client."

Tim Kaine
Recalled that Northern Virginia was "very, very good to me" last year.  Talked about how "Virginia is getting to be a better and better place for Democratic candidates" because people can see that "we know how to govern."  Especially compared to Republicans.  Commented sarcastically that "this race has been a little different."  Joked that Allen had thought this would be a coronation, but instead it had turned into "Dante's Inferno." 

Said that our nation faces "great challenges," including our nation's image in the world and ability to "be a broker for peace."  Commented that the Congress has not done what the Founding Fathers wanted it to do - stand up, be courageous, don't just be a rubberstamp for the President.

On the Allen attacks on Webb, Governor Kaine said that "being a writer is a service."  In Webb's case, what he has done is to communicate to the general public what it's like to be a soldier in wartime.  "If more people making policy understood this, we'd have better policy."  Sarcastically talked about Allen's "knockout punch" of saying "here's a guy who writes BOOKS!"  As if there's something wrong with trying to communicate character in wartime.  Sadly, these guys - Allen, Kilgore - "always go too far...never know when to stop."

Declared that Jim Webb is "gonna win this race," that he's "gonna come into the Senate with instant credibility," that "he's fearless," and that he "won't let a Karl Rove or President push him around."

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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