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AND the "Brand" issue. Which one -- Miller or Webb -- is more likely to have a chance against Allen? I have no answer for that for sure. Secondly, which Democratic "brand" is better? Because Webb is something new, I feel that his branding is better -- he's basically standing up as a leader to all the disaffected Reagan Democrats across the country. He's making it okay for them to "come home again". That's a pretty good narrative. We've already had the pro-business Democrats like Miller before. Webb's populist message MAY resonate. He may be to Virginia what Casey is to Pennsylvania for the social conservatives who are otherwise more liberal on economic issues. Webb may be an answer to the conservatives on military culture issues (that feeling some veterans have, fair or unfair, for being called "baby killers" by radical lefties in the '60s who they think represent the Democrats) who would otherwise want to be part of the Democratic party, but the past wounds of Vietnam and how soldiers were treated afterwards, has been a deal breaker thus far.
In regard to trust, I actually think Webb tells the truth more than Miller. This has gotten him into trouble, since it's sometimes better to find the BEST way about talking about issues, and leaving the WHOLE TRUTH out of it. For me, Webb has sufficiently explained his political leanings. He's not the only one. Condi Rice also was a Democrat until the U.S.S.R. invaded Afghanistan and she didn't think Carter was strong enough in his response. Her problem has been that she can thank her entire career on the Bush family; had this not been the case, I wonder if a realist like herself would have supported the Iraq War. SHE'S a lost soul, but other FP Republican realists may start to realize that the Democrats are more in tune with their values than the radical neo-cons.
In our newspaper today, each candidate got to say in their own words why we should vote for them. Miller's piece had a lot of bullet points. Webb's had just 3 main points and was full of the narrative of disaffected Reagan Democrats. I thought Webb's message was easier to follow. My newspaper has endorsed Miller talking about how smart and thoughtful he is; how he would be a better senator. They may have a point there. But maybe I'm looking for a movement to get the Democrats back to being the majority party. Webb may fall on his face, but I think publicity about him would turn heads ALL over the country.
When I first learned that Webb was entering the race, I was excited. I thought it was great. It was only after I read the things he wrote about Kerry that I turned against him. However, in Webb's piece today he said he's "no longer mad about Vietnam". His reconciliation with Kerry illustrates that point. I don't think either the Zell Miller comparison (an old Blue Dog Dem who turned coats OVER the Iraq War) or McCain comparison works with Webb. John McCain is a . . . Republican. RIGHT NOW. His horrid behavior is indicative of his party. In 2000 and in 2004, he could have switched to Independent and been a successful Senator, but he made the decision, with full knowledge of their unscrupulous ways, to embrace them wholeheartedly, including some of the WORST characters -- Jerry Falwell and the SBVT consultants. In short, he sold his soul. I don't think he did what he did because of his feelings about Vietnam. They were due to his out of control ambition to become president at all costs. Webb said some things about Kerry in 2004 that were very hurtful to JK AND to all of us opposed to the Vietnam War. But . . . he also did condemn the SBVT on the medals stuff, which he said was a bunch of lies. If you notice, Kerry is spending his time now refuting the medal stuff; his Dissent speech was how he dealt with the anti-war stuff but he tied it in with Iraq in a way that Webb could concur. When I went on that Kos thread a month or so back, I was demanding that Webb get over the Vietnam stuff and talk with Kerry. Well, he did what I asked, and really, he didn't have to. He has Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer endorsing him, too. Kerry was not necessary (his excellent fundraising skills notwithstanding), yet Webb made the decision that it was time to forgive and let go. We all know that Kerry is a person of high character who is ready to move on. Have any of us considered the fact that what we all said in several threads to Bob Kerrey and Paul Hackett were in fact passed on to Webb, and he decided to do what we asked? Webb is a netroots guy, so I think that is not a ridiculous notion.
So, as you guys may be realizing, I am now leaning Webb, even though I highly respect Miller. When it comes down to it, here in Virginia, I am a VERY pragmatic voter. I'm not going to necessarily vote for the most liberal candidate (something Miller isn't anyway), because my calculations will always be for the general election in a red state. Most likely, Allen will win (I don't have any illusions), but the prospect of having pundits talking non-stop about a Reagan Democrat running as a Democrat in a red state; well, that can only help our cause.
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