A Golden Oldie

Anyway, I always recalled this particular exchange because despite all the anti-Webb sentiment coming from I.Publius he swore up and down he'd vote for Webb in the primary.

Let's hop in the wayback machine and travel back to Friday, June 9, to re-live a bit of a conversation between Lowell, I.Publius, and myself.  I've added a bit of bolding for fun.

I.Publius:  Hmmm, whom to believe... Two disinterested experts in Judaism and Anti-Semitism, or a Webb campaign flunky.  Tough call.

Lowell:  Dude, I'm Jewish. I'm not "disinterested" in this, any more than I was "disinterested" in Kilgore's despicable use of Hitler in 2005.  In either case, it's disgraceful. 

Now, more to the point, why don't you just admit that you're terrified of Jim Webb and stop wasting our time with your nonsense?

I.Publius:  work on the comprehension, "dude"  The disinterested parties here are the professors quoted in the news.  They're the ones with no dog in this race, and who found the piece anti-Semitic.  I'll take their word over a Webb campaign hack.

I love a Webb candidacy more & more every day.  He's showing himself to be a lightweight, completely unprepared for a general election.  Virginians will easily see through Webb's sizzle and choose the steak.

Eric:  I.Pub - who do you think is the better Democratic candidate?  I could take a guess from your comments, but I don't want to jump to conclusions.

I.Publius:  Miller, by far.  Webb is a seductively attractive candidate, especially to Democrats, who so rarely get a candidate who has a little testosterone.  The problem comes once the general election season kicks in, and they have to start answering questions and demonstrate some familiarity with issues and political processes.  Then the euphoria subsides, and most people get over their initial hard-on.  When the whirlwind romance starts to morph into a prospective marriage, people usually take a step back and consider who would really make a good spouse, and who wouldn't. 

Bush was the same way as a candidate in 2000.  He was just lucky enough to be running against Al Gore... and four years later ANYONE but John Kerry could have beaten him. 

Eric:  Assuming that's how you really feel, that Miller would ultimately be the better candidate, why are you so clearly supporting him? 

As I recall, you are a fairly diehard Republican.  A big supporter of Kilgore - many negative things to say about Kaine. 

And as such, wouldn't it be in your own best interest to throw support behind the weaker of the two candidates?  Sure, Allen looks like a lock, by why risk it?  What good, from your perspective, could possibly come from putting up the stronger Democratic candidate?

So, Webb being the weaker candidate in your opinion, why aren't you pushing for him?  Isn't everyone at RK just hurting the party by supporting Webb?  That should bring a smile to your face and I'd think you'd want that to continue.

Like it or not, looks like all us will be supporting Webb.  Glad to have you on board Ipub.  ;-)

I.Publius:  I'm not 'supporting' either one.  Neither Webb nor Miller -- or any voter in the Commonwealth, for that matter -- gives a rat's patoot what I think about the candidates.  I'm not supporting anyone but Allen, and what I say here or anywhere else will have exactly zero impact on the election.  Of course, the editors here seem to think that this blog will get Webb elected.  We'll just let them keep on believing that.  (And yes, most of what goes on here at RK definitely brings a smile to my face.)  I thought blogs like this were primarily for discussion purposes, and I'm simply discussing the candidates, as I see them.

Yes, I do think that Webb will be the weaker candidate, and if I get a chance to vote on Tuesday, it'll definitely go to him.

Eric:  I have to admit it's an unusual way to pick up votes for Webb, but I hope you do make it to the polls on Tuesday.  That is, as long as you really are going to vote for Webb.

You are serious about voting for Webb, aren't you?

I.Publius:  Absolutely. I've voted for Democrats many times in the past, but usually because I wanted them to represent me and my district (or state).  L.F. Payne, Creigh Deeds, Cornelia Johnson, Doug Wilder -- they come to mind.  All but L.F. won, too.  Only once before, though, did I vote in a Democratic primary. 

If I get around to it, I'm hitting the "James Webb" button on the touchscreen.  (And man, how I miss punchcards.  Those really made you feel like you were voting, and made it tangible.  But I digress.  Sorry.)

I can't help but wonder if I.Publius regrets that Webb vote he cast back then.  Assuming he actually did vote for Webb.  Or if he still thinks Webb is a weak candidate.
 

Comments