I am hearing from a number of sources that the DSCC is showing reluctance to give financial support to Jim Webb, Democratic nominee in Virginia against George Felix. This surprises me.
In the primary, rather than staying neutral, Sen. Cuck Schumer, head of DSCC, endorsed Jim Webb. His primary opponent Harris Miller could have largely self-funded a general campaign, and had access to many big contributors. Nevertheless the DSCC chose sides, rightly in my opinion. Miller outspent Webb 3-1 in the primary but Jim still pulled out a win.
In the primary, rather than staying netural, Sen. Chuck Schumer, head of DSCC, endorsed Jim Webb. His primary opponent Harris Miller could have largely self-funded a general campaign, and had access to many big contributors. Nevertheless the DSCC chose sides, rightly in my opinion. Miller outspent Webb 3-1 in the primary but Jim still pulled out a win.
Virginia may be a Southern state, but it is trending purple - we have elected two Democratic governors in a row, the Dems have increased our representation in the General Assembly for two consecutive cycles. And George Allen is a paper tiger: he has never faced a truly competitive state-wide race. When he won his Senate seat he outspent Chuck Robb 3-2 or better, Robb was a reluctant candidate, and Allen still ran 3 points behind Bush. Allen has a re-elect less than 50% despite 97% name recognition.
Webb will not need as much money as Allen to win the race. We have a large corps of dedicated volunteers, organized both from the grassroots and the netroots. It was a similar combination that enabled Ned Lamont to come from way back and last night defeat Joe Lieberman in the CT primary.
CT - and current polls - show that the American people are disillusioned by the Bush administration, especially with respect to Iraq. There are few men in America with more credibility than Jim Webb to raise this issue. He was a highly decorated combat Marine, a Secretary of the Navy, and wrote a widely-read op ed against going to war against Iraq well before hostilities commenced. Jim has appeal to centrist and to many Republicans. With sufficient funding to get his message out this can become the 6th Senate the Democrats need to take control of the Senate.
I support Jim Webb, and have done so since before he entered the race in February. I would note that support of Jim Webb would give the lie to accusations byh Joe Lieberman and Ken Mehlman that the Democrats are not willing to be strong on security issues: a man with two purple hearts, two bronze stars, a silver star and a Navy Cross speaks with authority on any issue of National Security. And Jim Webb knows that security includes economic security as well.
So here is a man who ran because people at the grassroots level asked him to, who overcame a big financial deficit to beat a well-entrenched party insider, whom dujring the primary Sen. Schumer was willing to endorse as the best chance to beat George Allen. Why now the reluctance to give Jim Webb the financial support that can help him achieve that goal?