AP's Bob Lewis is out with
an article on John Kerry's endorsement of Jim Webb. According to Lewis:
In a U.S. Senate primary measured largely on the power of endorsements from Democrats, former Republican Jim Webb landed the biggest name yet Friday with the backing of John Kerry.
You can say that again; the 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee endorsing Jim Webb for Senate is highly significant. Lewis quotes Kerry as follows:
Jim Webb quit the Republican Party over the Bush Administration's incompetence and malfeasance in creating a mess in Iraq that has cost lives and weakened our security. For Jim, this is personal, I dare any Republican to question this man's courage, character, or moral authority on questions of war and peace.
Yeah, for Jim Webb, this is personal. And for John Kerry, it's personal too. Let's cut to the chase here: after June 13, Jim Webb goes up against a campaign which employs one of the main guys - Chris LaCivita - who worked on the "Swift Boat" anti-Kerry slime ads in 2004. Is there anyone who believes that John Kerry doesn't want revenge against those bastards? And is there anyone who believes that a Jim Webb victory over George "Bush Rubber Stamp" Allen and Chris "Swift Boat" LaCivita wouldn't be sweet for both Jim Webb AND John Kerry?
Actually, there DOES appear to be one person who fails to grasp the significance of Kerry's endorsement. Yep, our good friend Harris Miller, whose campaign proceeded today to immediately take a shot at John Kerry ("John Kerry doesn't know Virginia"). Dissing John Kerry now? Amazing. But that's Harris Miller for ya: anyone who crosses him gets attacked, bashed and smeared. Harry Reid and all the other U.S. Senators who endorsed Jim Webb? Miller dismissed them as people who don't "actually vote in the Democratic primary in Virginia." American Hero Jim Webb? Miller says he's a misogynist (lie), anti-Semite (laughable lie), and racist (despicable lie).
Uh, Harris? Since when does abortion rights leader Kate Michelman, who endorsed you the other day, "actually vote in...Virginia?" As a matter of fact, I'm sure you're aware that Michelman actually considered taking on Bob Casey, the strong Democratic nominee against Senator Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum (R-PA), as an Independent? You didn't know that? Ahhhh...
Here's the deal: Harris Miller happily touts the endorsement of a woman from outside Virginia who talks of challenging our strong Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania? But Miller disses John Kerry, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, and other national Democrats who endorse Jim Webb. Oh wait, I keep forgetting, Harris Miller is a "loyal Democrat." Isn't that what Miller keeps telling us, in his nauseating (and endless) mailings? And don't we all believe Harris Miller, the lobbyist who gives to Dennis Hastert and Spencer Abraham? Suuuure we do.
[UPDATE: One more point, from today's Washington Post, is that "Webb went to Kerry's defense after an advocacy group called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth questioned Kerry's bravery and the legitimacy of the combat medals he received." Also, I thought it was VERY significant that Kerry endorsed Webb in SPITE of the fact that - as Kerry wrote - "neither of us would deny that we've had our differences over the years." In my view, the Kerry-Webb reconcilation is a powerful one, in that it brings together two men who differed on the Vietnam War, which ended 31 years ago almost to the day but which continued to divide the country for many years afterwards.]
[UPDATE #2: By the way, if anyone is interested in making phone calls for Jim Webb, please email the Webb Campaign's Deputy Field Director, S.R. Sidarth, at Sidarth@webbforsenate.com . He will need a name, phone number, and promised date of return. This information will not be used outside of this primary program, but is necessary so that we can be confident in the return or our data. He will then send you a call packet of 100 voters and an accompanying script. Also attached will be some basic info about Jim Webb and his candidacy. Each packet you choose to take will take about 2-3 hours to complete and can be done at any time between 10 AM and 9 PM EST. This is all very similar to what was done for Howard Dean, Wes Clark, Paul Hackett, etc. Thanks.]