With Virginia's primaries coming up on Tuesday, DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer
endorsed Jim Webb yesterday:
"With Jim Webb as the Democratic nominee in Virginia, we have an opportunity to give George Allen a real run for his money. He's our best hope for defeating Allen in November," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), the DSCC chairman. "Jim's a real fighter -- he has the experience, energy and commitment to make this a winnable race."
Schumer's endorsement is the ninth from sitting Democratic Senators, after Sens. Kerry, Reid, Durbin, Stabenow, Levin, Dodd, Salazar, and Johson. Former Senators Daschle and Cleland have also come out in support of Webb.
It is extremely unusual for a DSCC chairman to endorse a candidate in a contested primary. The move reflects a consensus among national Democrats that Webb -- a former Republican, author, war hero and Navy secretary -- will make a stronger general election candidate than lobbyist and longtime Democratic Party activist Harris Miller.
"We respect Senator Schumer and the job he does for New York," Miller spokeswoman Taylor West said. "But we are running this race in Virginia, and we are going to win this race in Virginia."
I take it that Miller's camp is unaware of Schumer's role as head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with that statement. He's not just 'some Senator from New York.' What's also suprising about this is that Miller is the largely self-funded candidate, who typically become the campaign commitee's endorsed candidate. That, in itself, speaks volumes about the perceived advantages of a Webb campaign against Allen in November.
Larry Sabato sums it up succinctly:
"This says loud and clear: If Webb's the winner, the national people are going to put substantial money into Virginia," said University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato. "If Webb loses, best of luck to Virginia Democrats. It's as dramatic as it gets."
Clearly, the national brass is behind Webb and will support his campaign doggedly. Now, the question to be answered next Tuesday - are Virginia's Democratic voters?