The Webb 65?

1) Former Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE), who strongly encouraged Webb to run, and (on a personal note) also wrote the following to me on January 7, 2006:

** High Priority * Dear Lowell, Thanks for the note and your encouragement of Secretary Webb. I do not know Virginia well enough to speak with your confidence, but I am confident that Jim Webb is needed in the U.S. Senate today. I have been encouraging him to run and will do everything I can to help him if he decides to go for it. He is a unique and powerful voice which could change the course of our nation's future.

Unfortunately, I cannot advise what you (or I) should do to get him to do this. That's a work assignment for his remarkable heart.- Bob

2) Leslie Byrne, who strongly and enthusiastically endorsed Jim Webb on March 15, predicting that "Jim will do us proud, not only in this campaign but as our Senator."  How right Leslie was!  Perhaps most importantly, Leslie Byrne's early and strong endorsement gave Webb a de facto Democratic "seal of approval," allaying concerns that Webb wasn't "really a Democrat" since he had served in the Reagan Administration.  If Webb was good enough for Leslie Byrne, he was good enough for many other Democrats!

3) Chap Petersen, who endorsed Webb the day after Leslie did.  Chap also had provided encouragement to Webb back in mid-December 2005, when the two of them had met and quickly hit it off.  Chap's endorsement represented another important Democratic "seal of approval," giving Jim Webb two of the four Democratic Lt. Governor candidates from 2005.

4) Arlington Revenue Commissioner Ingrid Morroy, who endorsed Webb on March 21, who remarked that "Jim Webb is a real democrat with a real chance to beat George Allen in November...decided to fully support Jim because he is a populist with a pragmatic view of the world."  This was another excellent endorsement, from a strong progressive Democrat.  Ingrid went on to serve as the Webb campaign's treasurer, not to mention chief songrwiter and parade bullhorn operator. :)
5) On the same day as Ingrid Morroy, Arlington Treasurer Frank O'Leary endorsed Webb.  This was another strong sign that Arlington would be Webb country come election day.  And, indeed, it was, with Webb taking nearly 70% of the vote on primary election day, and 73% on general election day.

6) On March 29, four-star General Wesley Clark endorsed Jim Webb, saying "You know this state deserves a real, fighting, full-time Senator and I just urge the people of Virginia to give him the chance to work for Virginia and the United States of America again."  Clark's endorsement helped to swing a lot of the grassroots Clarkies behind Webb.  These talented people formed a significant part of a "rag-tag army" of Webb volunteers that eventually grew to 18,000 people.  Also, Clark's endorsement signalled once again that former Republicans could become great Democrats, just as Wes Clark had done.

7) On April 5, Arlington County Board member Jay Fisette endorsed Webb. This was extremely significant, both because Fisette is a strong leader in Arlington, but also because he is an important leader in the gay community across Virginia.  This endorsement helped to highlight Jim Webb's libertarian belief that government should stay out of our bedrooms.

8) On April 18, seven-term Congressman and former Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Owen Pickett endorsed Webb.  This provided great help in the Virginia Beach area, as well as yet another Democratic "seal of approval" from a pillar of the Virginia Democratic Party.

9) On April 24, Arlinton School Board members Mary Hynes and Libby Garvey followed fellow school board member Ed Fendley (endorsed Webb on March 31) announced that they were backing Webb for Senate.  All of these people ended up doing fine work for Webb, but I would particularly single out Libby Garvey as offering superb assistance through the primary and general election campaigns.  Thanks to all three Arlington School Board members!

10) On May 1, three Roanoke County officials - Sheriff Gerald Holt, Commissioner of the Revenue Nancy Horn and Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw - endorsed Webb.  This was a highly significant show of support from a completely different, crucially important, part of the state than NOVA. [UPDATE: Steve McGraw notes that "Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt, Commissioner Nancy Horn and I actually endorsed Jim Webb in writing on April 1 but it wasn't publicized by the campaign until about a month later."  Thaniks!]

11) On May 3, four national, respected military figures - Gen. Anthony Zinni (USMC), Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold (USMC), Lt. Gen. Frank Petersen (USMC) and Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA) - endorsed Webb for U.S. Senate.  In the end, Webb was endorsed by an incredibly impressive roster of former generals and other military figures.

12) On May 4, Webb received a great endorsement from Fairfax County, that of School Board member Janet Oleszek. 

13) On May 10, Webb received the backing of numerous heavy hitters among U.S. Senate Democrats, including Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, Chris Dodd, Ken Salazar, Tim Johnson, and former Senators Tom Daschle and Max Cleland.  Wow.

14) On May 16, Webb put to rest the issue of some sort of rift between former Senator Chuck Robb and himself, garnering the endorsements of eleven former senior Robb staffers.

15) On May 23, Webb received the backing of seven more NOVA Democratic leaders - Commonwealth Senator Patsy Ticer, Former Virginia Delegate David Brickley, Former Virginia Delegate Marian Van Landingham, Former Fairfax County Supervisor Rufus Phillips, Prince William County Democratic Committee Finance Chairman Harry Wiggins, Fairfax School Board Catherine Belter and her husband Len Belter, and Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola.  Needless to say, this was highly significant and very helpful to Webb, with the Democratic primary just a few weeks away.

16) A huge endorsement for Webb came on May 30, when Delegate Donald McEachin announced his support.  A lifetime member of the NAACP and a prominent African American leader, Del. McEachin's endorsement helped put to rest charges that Jim Webb opposed Affirmative Action.  As we know, Jim Webb strongly supports Affirmative Action for African Americans.

17) On May 31, Webb recevied the backing three SWVA legislators - Delegate Jim Shuler, former Delegate Joan Munford and former State Senator Madison Marye.  This showed support for Webb in yet another part of Virginia.

18) June 1 was a big day for Webb, as he was endorsed by Chuck Dolan, President ClintonGÇÖs Virginia Campaign Chair; and 5th Congressional District Democratic Nominee Al Weed.

19) A huge endorsement for Webb came on June 2, when 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry threw his support behind Webb.  If there was any doubt left that Webb was "really a Democrat," that should have put it definitively to rest.

20) Prominent civil rights leader Dr. Milton Reid endorsed Jim Webb on June 5, further demonstrating support among leading African Americans in Virginia.

21) On June 7, Webb received the backing of Chuck Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who called Webb the Democrats' "best hope" for defeating George Allen in November.  Essentially, the national Democratic Party had decided that Jim Webb should be the nominee. 

On the same day, Webb also received the endorsements of ten local Democratic Committee Chairs from across Virginia - Sara Braaten of Bedford City, Roy Dye of Greene County, Mark Brooks of Cumberland County, Joe Stanley of Franklin County, Danny Edwards of Dickenson County Democratic Committee, Thomas Long of Augusta County, Corey Hernandez of Isle of Wight County,  Shawn Becker of Grayson County, Thomas Brewster of Tazewell County, and Kimberly Chiapetto of Floyd County. 

22) On June 8, Webb picked up support from Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, with the endorsements of retired Virginia legislators, Senator Charles Waddell from Loudoun and Delegate Jerry Wood from Fauquier.

On June 13, 2006, Jim Webb won the Democratic primary over Harris Miller with 53.5% of the 155,784 votes cast.  In large part, that was thanks to the endorsements listed above.  Personally, I will be forever grateful for these early Webb supporters.

P.S. I apologize if I missed any electeds who endorsed Jim Webb during the primary.  I gathered this list from the Webb campaign's press releases issued before June 13.

P.P.S.  Whoops, make that the "Webb 75" - I missed  Dickenson County Commissioner of the Revenue Ronnie Robbins, Charlottesville Councilor-Elect Dave Norris, Page County Treasurer C.R. Suddith, Washington County Treasurer Fred Parker, Former Commonwealth Senator Emilie Miller, Former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Member Lilla Richards,  and Alexandria Vice Chairman of the School Board Charles Wilson.  Oh, and let's not forget former U.S. Congressional Candidate and Marine Paul Hackett, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference, and Senator Carl Levin, Ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.  Anyone else I missed?

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