I’m a big supporter of Jim Webb, and everybody knows that. But I’m getting frustrated with the situation we’ve got here. In Jim Webb we have a great candidate. Just the kind of candidate the Democratic Party needs to defeat Republicans.
But in the Jim Webb for Senate campaign, we have serious problems. I don’t fault any one person. I fault a lack of money, a lack of planning, and a lack of visability.
The Kaine campaign in 2005 was always one step ahead of Jerry Kilgore’s people. Tim Kaine assembled one of the best campaign staffs I’ve seen. And Harris Miller’s staff earlier this year was almost as good. Those folks knew how to run a race. These folks should be highly involved in the Webb campaign.
The way some of my blogginh colleagues talk, this election is a slam-dunk already. I hate to say it, but it’s anything but. If the Webb campaign can’t get its’ act together, it’s going to get more and more one-sided as we come closer to November. And, frankly, neither our state, our party, nor of country can afford to have George Allen in the Senate any longer, or have the Republicans in control of the Senate.
It is vital that the Webb campaign get a huge shot of cash to help it out, and that Jim Webb start campaigning more vigorously. A look at his website would lead me to believe he’s taking it pretty easy when it comes to campaigning. Right now, the only event listed is on August 3rd in Virginia Beach. Then the next event listed is a full 10 days away. And, since the August 13 event is actually a series of statewide house parties, I doubt anybody who comes out for those isn’t already solidly in the Webb camp.
Many of the events that have been on the schedule recently (wit ha couple exceptions, yes) have been in Democrat strongholds. That doesn’t help a whole lot. Where are the events in Lynchburg, in Martinsville, in Bristol (!!!!), in Winchester?
There’s no need for me to mention the recent debate between Webb and Allen. It’s my belief that more Virginians could quote, word for word, “Casey at the Bat” than could tell you anything about the debate. It was like it was top-secret. Both campaigns claimed a big victory, so I guess your point of view on the debate depends on who you’ve already decided to vote for (which has all the nasty characteristics of a vicious circle).
I don’t speak for the Bristol Democratic Committee, but I can speak for myself and relay what individual members have said. What they’re saying, and what I’ve been saying here, is that the Webb campaign needs to get its’ act together now, get in every part of the state (I would strive for all the independent cities and 2/3 of the counties), walk around on the street and talk to people, go sit in coffee shops, do what ever it takes to get the message out.
This race won’t be decided among the blogosphere, the religious right, or the party faithful in general. This race will be decided in McDonalds, Wal-Mart, NASCAR stadiums, high school football games, and church socials. Let’s beat George Allen to them.
