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.
How many will mention "Lowell" or know who he is? Or, discuss how powerful bloggers / the internet was in this campaign?
First is Lowell Feld, the Blogger-in-Chief of "Raising Kaine." Last November (yes, one year ago), Lowell emailed me about a writer named "James H. Webb" who had mentioned in an interview that he might run for U.S. Senate. At Lowell's encouragement, I met with Mr. Webb on December 12th and decided to help him. It was another two months -- the President's Day parade in Alexandria -- that Webb actually made an appearance as a candidate. During those two months, Lowell was working the Internet hard, building support for Webb. When the reluctant candidate showed up on that cold morning in February, there were 50 Democratic activists there to march for him. The rest, as they say, is history.
It's amazing how far we've come since the early days -- and it feels like just yesterday that we showed up at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, feeling like a bunch of party crashers, swimming very much against the tide... After the election, there's going to be a very interesting story to be told...
I thank my Dad, who in the mid 1980's said to me, "There is a young guy named Jim Webb who is probably one of the most impressive people I've heard in a long time." When I said, "Isn't he a Republican?" My Dad said, "He is beyond party. He is bright, straight talking, and the most refreshing voice I've heard in years".
My Dad died 2 years ago. He was the most articulate and knowledgeable person on things historical and political I'd ever known, and a strong Democrat. I knew that my dad did not give such accolades easily and I learned he was right on Jim Webb.
When Jim Webb threw his hat into this Senate race, I became active like I've never been before. I'd awaken at night just imagining a race between Webb and Allen, the debates, the efforts to smear, the hot air talking points against the solid, thought-filled ideas. How great a tonic Jim Webb has been for my cynism and how great he will be for the growing partisan divide and shameful pattern of politics we've been witnessing.
God bless Jim Webb for offering his service again and God bless all who encouraged him to take the leap.