Thank You for Everything You Have Done

By: Josh
Published On: 11/13/2006 2:24:04 PM

Dear Volunteers, Moderates, Independents, Reagan Democrats, Activists, Democrats, Bloggers and Friends:

We did it!

George Allen has conceded and Jim Webb has claimed Victory!  Jim Webb will be the Junior Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Congratulations!

This was one of the tightest races in the history of Virginia, and will likely be remembered as VirginiaGÇÖs greatest upset.  We fought for Jim Webb as if the future of the US Senate and the nation depended upon victory.  We fought the good fight, and we won.

As we projected all along, Jim Webb claimed the 6th Senate seat which gave the Democratic Party full control of Congress.

Jim Webb won this election because of his integrity, leadership and vision. The Webb campaign fought the good fight, controlled the tempo and forced Allen out of this comfort zone.  The local committees and Congressional campaigns organized, mobilized, and moved the electorate.  Even with all of the immense accomplishments of all of these incredibly important groups, Jim WebbGÇÖs victory was determined by less than 9,000 votes, so everything that you did was critical.  In the end, the margin was so close, that each of you can take credit for bringing this victory home.

I am so proud and so grateful for everything that you have done.
Every event you attended, every call you made, every door you knocked, every friend or neighbor you convinced, every sign you posted, every piece of lit or bumper sticker you distributed, every email you sent, every letter you wrote; every single one counted in this race.  You can personally take immense pride that you were instrumental in setting a new course for America.

When the next Congress passes an increase in the minimum wage, take pride.  When the next Congress charts a new course in Iraq, take pride.  When the next Congress clears the swamp of lobbyists out of Washington and puts the peopleGÇÖs house back in the hands of regular working people, take pride.  Take pride because your efforts made the difference and sent Jim Webb to lead in the US Senate and represent real Virginia values.

The incontrovertible truth is that you made a difference. 

Next year, in Virginia, all 100 Delegate seats and 40 State Senate seats are up for election.  2008 is a Presidential year.  Is Virginia a swing state?  Could Virginia support a Democratic Presidential nominee for the first time since LBJ?  In 2009 we elect a new Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General.  Imagine what we can accomplish if the Webb Brigades turn out for their local battles the way they turned out for Jim Webb this year.

As we look forward to the next few years of politics in Virginia I personally challenge every single one of you to stay engaged.

Contact your local party chair and get involved.  This is the best thing that you can possibly do.  I know that there are many of you who recoil at the thought, but  I challenge you to rise above 30 years of concerted efforts to turn the word GÇ£DemocratGÇ¥ into a 4-letter word.  DonGÇÖt believe the hype!  The Democratic Party of Virginia is the party of Doug Wilder, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and Jim Webb.  If you see a problem with the party, the very best way to make a difference is to JOIN now, get involved and stay involved. 

JOIN YOUR LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY TODAY!

Jim Webb will need your support in the future.  Please stay engaged with Jim WebbGÇÖs new Senatorial office.  Your continued support of Senator Jim Webb will be critical as he works to bring new leadership to the US Senate. 

The ramifications of this historic victory will only settle in over the course of the next few years. Please take pride in this and stay active.  We know what you can accomplish and we need you to stay involved.

Thank you so much for everything you have done. 

Josh Chernila, Grassroots Coordinator
Senator-Elect Jim Webb

P.S.  If you have suggestions on how we can engage volunteers better in the future, or if youGÇÖd like to share war stories from the campaign trail, please donGÇÖt hesitate to contact me at joshc@webbforsenate.com.

Comments



Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives (Josh - 11/13/2006 2:28:05 PM)
The overwhelming response I have received for my small part in this incredible victory has left me incredibly humbled and deeply grateful.


Hugs to you 5 o'clock :) :) :) (Kathy Gerber - 11/13/2006 5:57:46 PM)


I really enjoyed the LTE part of the campaign (Catzmaw - 11/13/2006 2:54:45 PM)
because I could do it in the middle of the night in my PJs with the dog next to me on the couch and the cat sulking on the arm as the laptop took up her usual spot.  I've always enjoyed writing, and it's my business to argue, but before this year I'd never really done any letter writing or blogging.  It turned out to be a lot of fun and a wonderful exercise for discussions about the election. 

I'm looking forward to the state elections next year as there are some people sorely in need of a dunking (are you reading this Marshall and Albo and company?). 



Those Who Didn't Get It Done--Allen's Advisers (PM - 11/13/2006 2:58:40 PM)
Got profiled in the New Republic:

http://www.tnr.com/d...



Bwaaahaaahhhaaaahahahahahaha! (Catzmaw - 11/13/2006 3:23:59 PM)


I KNOW!!! (phriendlyjaime - 11/13/2006 3:25:55 PM)
I read that this am-Gliesspie is finished, and Wadhmas may as well get into any career except politics.  Stick a fork in em....they're DONE.


It has been a good election all around (thegools - 11/13/2006 5:49:04 PM)
and the defeat couldn't have happened to a better bunch of people.  I don't rule them out of future garbage-throwing politics though.


Thank you, Josh! (LAS - 11/13/2006 3:07:57 PM)
BTW, the next Fairfax County Democratic Committee Meeting is on Tuesday, November 28th
at Holmes Middle School
6525 Montrose Street, Alexandria, VA 22312

The actual meeting starts at 8 p.m., but we have a social hour at 7:30, with drinks and nibbles. 

If you are a Fairfax County Resident, but would like to start smaller, you can also try your local Magisterial District Monthly Meeting.



COMMENT HIDDEN (comonsense - 11/13/2006 5:51:40 PM)


Try raisins. (phriendlyjaime - 11/13/2006 5:55:05 PM)
They are so much better than sour grapes.


Note - (Kathy Gerber - 11/13/2006 5:56:33 PM)
this troll is comonsense NOT
commonsense who is a legit user.


COMMENT HIDDEN (comonsense - 11/13/2006 5:59:14 PM)


Yes, you are legit. (DanG - 11/14/2006 12:18:23 PM)
You are a legit user, and you do have the freedom of speech.  That doesn't mean that you're not a douche.


COMMENT HIDDEN (comonsense - 11/13/2006 5:57:49 PM)


Maybe you should put some effort into learning how to spell. (Catzmaw - 11/13/2006 6:25:46 PM)


AS IF???? (libra - 11/13/2006 10:58:20 PM)
"We fought for Jim Webb as if the future of the US Senate and the nation depended upon victory."

Dammit, Josh, there's no "as if" about it; the future of the nation *did* depend on it (esp with LIEberman managing to sneak in, on Repub money, to threaten to upset all sorts of apple carts if he's not appeased).

And we *did* win. And I didn't get pneumonia standing in front of the polls in cold rain (DH had doubts, but I'm hardy ). And I got an invite today to a "thank you" lunch for volunteers -- how nice.

Here comes the sun... :)

I do hope that all the volunteers (and all the permanent members of the team) can stay in touch through the next few years and keep doing what needs to be done. I'm dead tired of the "feast or famine" cycle of effort, which -- with the exception of Webb's campaign -- has never been all that productive. I'm afraid that campaigning for the Dem party is now an all-year-round "thing" (much like Christmas sales )