Maybe after the pundits have enough coffee they will finally realize it's not "social conservative Democrats" and blah, blah, blah it's simply common sense Democrats who know the strength of the nation is working America.

It's just so amusing watching the various analysts on TV and they just can't get it that the reason so many Republicans lost and how these new Democrats won is simply because America is sick and tired of lobbyists and special little interests with their idealogical nonsense,  writing legislation, handing some legalized graft and campaign contributions to candidates who then pass bills that are not in the interests of working America or the national interest.

Could that be in the category of "representing the people"
instead of "liberal, conservative, social conservative, fiscal conservative, progressive" and on and on?

And Happy Birthday, USMC!!

Talk about real leadership.  I confess, just a couple of years ago I was beginning to think that my concept of leadership was nothing more than the illusory nostalgia of a myopic youth.

Check out the RTD and read the last couple of MacKenzie's column for the sharpest of contrasts.

Jim Webb rocks :) :)

Jim Webb can speak and communicate with the best of them. I can't wait to see him on the floor of the Senate. In the mean time I just got back from taking down Webb signs off the highway--Boy the Allen people have a lot of work to do in that department.

...to have a Senator that can speak extemporaneously across a broad range of issues.

If I was not a Virginian I would be thanking Virginia for sending this man to the Senate, we have done the nation and the world a great favor!!!

Happy Birthday USMC and thank you to all of our Veterans...

I've seen Webb give some really strong, solid interviews, and some in which his public speaking abilities don't come across as strongly.  This one really instills a lot of confidence - it's great to hear him articulate his vision and explain why it is important, not just for Virginia but for the United States.  He'll be a heckuva Senator.  It makes me want to quit my job and go work for him on the Hill!

I've heard Tester and Webb described as "Dobbs Democrats."  Webb truly sounded Senatorial with this one.

Jim was also on with Larry King on Thursday:
http://www.youtube.c...

In the 1960 presidential campaign, when the Nixon camp heard John Kennedy use the words "to which" in a speech, they realized that they were up against an intellectually superior candidate.

In this "Lou Dobbs Tonight" interview, Jim Webb used the word "bifurcation" and other multi-syllabic expressions, and it was "deja vu all over again" for me . . .

Can't wait for the new year - and the new Congress - to get started.

Steve McGraw

on dumbing the Webb candidacy down to "Jim Webb is running as the anti-Iraq War candidate" or "Jim Webb was drafted by a bunch of anti-Iraq, liberal bloggers," should be forced to watch this interview.  In reality, Jim Webb has NEVER been unidimensional in the least bit.  Specifically, Jim Webb was NOT "drafted" primarily - or even mainly - as the "anti-war" candidate.  None of us who were in the core "draft" movement ever saw it that way, although we certainly were impressed that he had had the courage to stand up against President Bush in the runup to the Iraq war. 

As a  matter of fact, from the first time I spoke with Jim Webb in late December 2005, we "drafters" were tremendously impressed with him as a man of education, knowledge, and wisdom across a wide range of subjects.  We immediately understood that this was a guy who understood HISTORY, as well as the complexities of the human condition. Most of all, we understood that this was a man who was concerned with basic notions of FAIRNESS in American society.  This was very inspirational.

Most broadly, we all saw Jim Webb as a man with the tremendous courage and integrity needed so as not to get sucked into the muck of Capitol Hill, but instead to stay true to his core beliefs no matter what.  For that reason, and all the other ones, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to having Jim Webb in the US Senate, where he will be an amazing independent voice for Virginia and for America. 

the first webb rally i went to at robinson h.s. -- i witnessed a man of great inner intellect, integrity, and understanding of human nature.

i was standing next to the front doors of the h.s. and saw webb with his manager just standing under the front awning -- no entourage, no cameras, no nobody -- so i kept myself positioned where i was and starting clicking my camera the moment he walked in.

i watched him closely as people of all ages began to realize he was in the building.

i could see him take everything in and i could tell what a thoughtful and intelligent and humble man he was.

i heart webb big time!

I am so pleased and largely in awe of the fact that we came this far in such a short time in electing Webb.  Last December when I started researching who would be the Democratic Senatorial candidate in 2006- There wasn't one. 
  When you first interviewed Jim Webb, I was not sitting there with you, but I remember it and I remember being envious that I wasn't there.  That seems so long ago and yet it has been little more than 10 months ago!!!
  I was sold on Webb after I did a good bit of research on the man.  I was impressed by the degree and breadth of respect he received from all angles of the political spectrum, and I was impressed by the his integrity, courage, and intellect.  I well remember that at first little was known about his views on a broad array of social issues, and then when those views came to light I was well pleased.

  We have chosen a world class person for our Senate seat and I couldn't be happier.  I can still hardly believe that he (and we) pulled this off.  Just saying Senator Webb makes me smile broadly.  I can hardly believe it.  Just the fact that more people pulled the lever for him last Tuesday leaves me in awe especially after the humble start of this campaign, when Webb had to be convinced to run by my emails (and those of hundreds of others).  I am amazed.

  And to top it off, the Senate belongs to the Democrats !!!  God bless this American democracy.

There was a thread over on Kos about a combative interview Jim had with NPR. Is there an audio clip available of which you are aware?

this is what you're referring to.

A fantastic interview, and even Dobbs was clearly unable to keep up with Webb's natural, unrehearsed, direct tone.  I think Lou expects politicians to speak in tailored sound bytes (a reasonable expectation), and here is a classic non-politician who is a historian and writer first coming at him with level-headed thoughtful replies.  We in Virginia are incredibly lucky to have someone who has the depth and breadth of knowledge on a wide variety of issues that matter to all Virginians to represent us in the greatest deliberative body in the world.  Seriously, this guy could be president.