Ok at this point I am leaning Webb

[JohnKleeb]

I am a Democrat by and large because of economic issues and my sort of nostlagia for the US to be as far as manufacturing goes to be what it was like when it my grandparents were young. What I mean is I like that Webb is very anti outsourcing. I haven't voted yet obviously but will be doing so at 3:30 so I can avoid the chaos of the Elementary School where I vote.

[beachmom]

1. Do you have Diebold machines at your precinct?

I do at mine. It was easy to cast my vote for Webb this morning. Staring at that Diebold machine -- a voting machine that Miller helped to shove down our throats AND for which he fought extensively against paper ballot backup. Somehow Vietnam seemed very far away, and that Diebold machine was right in front of my face. Nevertheless, if Miller wins I will not speak of this again :) and be the biggest unity Democrat around!!

Good luck, JohnKleeb, and let us know how it goes. (I was the ONLY person in my precinct. When I left, I saw an old man enter. So yeah, VERY low turnout)

[JohnKleeb]

2. I dont know if we do or not

I know my school's ID card machine is made by Diebold. Yeah I am not surprised that the turnout is so damned low. Is it possible to write in people by the way? Still an opition. It's just so damned hard. I may not even vote honestly.

[beachmom]

3. You know, you must be able to do a write in

If it's not obvious, just ask a poll worker. I mean, they've got NOTHING to do, so they'll be more than happy to help you with that.

I think you should go. I actually chatted with the poll workers for a few minutes. I guess I think it's a civic duty and makes me feel more part of the community.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Yeah I could do that

I am gonna be voting for and supporting the nominee no doubt about it. All right, I am gonna head up right now.

[fedupinBushcountry]

5. Just voted

on that damn Diebold machine, hey beachmom I thought the same thing when I looked at it, and I spoke out about paper trails and the stupid poll workers said but its so fast, just shook my head at their uneducated answer.

Well I was # 21 at my poll, I noticed my husband was #8 and he voted at around 10:30 this morning before he went to work.

My boss voted for Miller and says neither one will beat Allen. Whoever wins will need lots of support.

[JohnKleeb]

6. I was 33 and I voted for Webb

His stances on economics are why I voted for him. I think your boss is sadly right.

[beachmom]

7. Incredible this story is!! If you had told me two months ago that

all three of us were going to vote for Webb, I would have asked if that was with a gun at our head or a knife at our throat. Yet here we all sit, waiting for the results to the primary, having voted for Webb. And we all know what made the difference -- Kerry magic. He magically made a 35 year riff disappear in a matter of seconds. No matter what happens today, this was truly an amazing disply of grace at work for the common good.

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. It is isn't it

I guess from the little talk over at DD and then when he came out for Webb, it made us take that one last long look, and we all did that. Kerry magic indeed.

[rox63]

9. You can track the results here

http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/index.htm

[JohnKleeb]

10. Interesting Miller up 54-45

I got a feeling no matter who wins it could get ugly between the two camps.

[Mass]

11. How long before somebody says Diebold if Miller stays ahead.

[JohnKleeb]

12. If folks accused Kerry of diebolding the primares to win

than Miller will certainly be accused. Reminds me though to answer the question Beachmom asked me earlier. Our machines are not Diebold, not that I could tell at least. I forget the title. 'Nother thing I wonder who my grandmother voted for in that primary, Hurst or Longmeyer,

[fedupinBushcountry]

13. Exactly

today was the first time I voted on Diebold.

[fedupinBushcountry]

14. Back and forth

Webb went ahead now Miller is.

[JohnKleeb]

15. Ouch for Miller if Webb's lead holds up there

Miller I believe was chairman of our county party once. He ran a negative campaign honestly and that's one of the reasons why I didn't vote for him.

[fedupinBushcountry]

17. What district are you in? n/t

[JohnKleeb]

18. 10th

[fedupinBushcountry]

22. Webb

is leading 61% - 39% in your district. It's close in our district and the only city in our District that Webb is leading is Virginia Beach.

[JohnKleeb]

24. Thats interesting

[beachmom]

19. It's too early to tell (and I don't know which localities favored which

candidate). I have taken pains not to criticize Miller too harshly on Va. blogs, because I want to be able to support him if he wins.

Last look it was 50 - 49 Webb, but not too many precincts have entered their totals. It seems to be close, though, so looks like this will be a long night.

Since Miller represented Diebold, this will be a problem for him if he wins. However, in my Repub district, I doubt they were that into it to cheat the machines. But, you know, it's all about perception, and Miller doesn't look good with his activities for Diebold, that's for sure.

[JohnKleeb]

20. Of course he doesn't look good for it

I live in a Republican district too for that matter. People were also fearing that Republicans would try to make Miller the nominee by voting in large numbers for him but that's bene proven to be false. I didn't vote for Webb because I thought he would be the best to beat Allen, I voted for him because I thought he was the better candidate even if he is more vague on the issues.

[karynnj]

33. If he wins, I'm glad it's close

That will likely mean that Kerry deserves the credit (or blame). The fact that every blog has at least some people saying that they trusted Kerry and this made them trust that he wasn't still a Republican or that they had been concerned about his anti-protester commments. (I doubt they had it as an exit question, but it would have been a good one. If there a large number of people who made up their mind in the last week that were disproportionately for Webb, that would confirm the stories.)

[Mass]

16. The results this far seem to show that we were not the only one to feel

uninspired.

45 % of the precincts reporting and only 1.21 % of voters. (or is it that there are very small and very big precincts?).

[beachmom]

21. Virginia primaries are fairly new and historically have an extremely

low turnout. Normally it's 9 - 11 % and that's when there is both a Democratic AND a Republican primary. Since it's a red state, the expected turn out rate for a Dem primary will only be 3 - 5 %. 1.21% though would be definitely downright pathetic. We're practically just a smoke filled room . . .

[Island Blue]

23. Looks like Webb is starting to pull a little further ahead.

I have a feeling these next five months are going to be nasty in Virginia politics. When I was home at lunch today, I saw a Thelma Drake ad attacking Phil Kellam for attacking Thelma Drake. :crazy: Combine that with Democrat v. Howdy Doody and let the fun begin!

[beachmom]

25. Yes, Webb could pull this off

Here's a link to a map:

http://www.kentonngo.com/750volts/2006/06/13/primary-night-live-maps-open-thread/#more-708

It shows with 72% precincts in that Webb is ahead by about 5,000 votes.

[beachmom]

26. OT -- but the same guy who made this map, has more pics from

the Webb/Kerry event:

http://www.kentonngo.com/750volts/2006/06/12/kerry-and-webb/

[beachmom]

27. Not Larry Sabato blog calling race for Webb

I'm beginning to think he may be right but only time will tell:

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2006/06/projected_winne.html

[beachmom]

28. Kos just called it for Webb, too.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/6/13/202820/888

This is awesome -- the blogosphere completely taking over for our useless local TV and cable TV. Suddenly Virginia blogs and a liberal blog are like CNN and Fox News or what?

I will definitely be commenting about how Webb got votes from Kerry's endorsement. However, I think we have to give kudos to the Webb supporters who were always VERY passionate for their guy. They went overboard at times, but this goes to show that all you need is extremely loyal and active bloggers to start a movement. I have to say; Webb's victory is a victory for the blogosphere. It has indeed become a force to be contended with. (Miller spent $1 million of his OWN money, putting ads on TV. Webb had NO TV ads, yet he still won, in part due to blogs).

[Island Blue]

29. Hey Beachmom and/or Fedup

Now that it looks like it's going to be Webb v. Doody in November, will you guys let me know if you hear any talk of JK coming to Hampton Roads to campaign for Webb? I know that's probably a long shot because it's such a conservative area, but we can hope, right? I will happily make the trek north if he makes a campaign appearance!

[beachmom]

30. Oh for sure!! If he came anywhere near me, you guys would

DEFINITELY get an earful from me!!

Back to the race, now the MSM has called it for Webb:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PRIMARY_RACES?SITE=WKHG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I still like that the blogs called it first!!

[beachmom]

31. This is the first national vote where who I voted for won, since . . .

1996.

What can I say -- even though it was a tough choice, it feels good to finally come out on the winning side, even if it's just a primary. I hope this becomes a trend for me!!

[fedupinBushcountry]

32. Hey, Beachmom

How many minds do you think took that one last look after Kerry gave his thoughts and his endorsement ? I know 3 for sure right here alone. ;-)

[karynnj]

34. I also saw several posts

on the other blogs that were linked to here - not to mention on DU-P itself. The rally looked good. Did it get much coverage? It sounds like it won't be that huge - so Webb may realize that Kerry likely made the difference. (The 3 of you are really a difference of 6 - because you were all leaning to Miller. Also isn't Arlington both the area Kerry did well in and the area that Miller was suppose to carry easily - if so there may have been many people like the 3 of you there.)

[fedupinBushcountry]

37. Well

actually you can make it 4, I had talked my husband into voting for Miller and then I told him that I was changing to Webb because of what Kerry had said and it made me take a deeper look into both of them. My husband said well I trust Kerry so I'll be voting for Webb.

Yes and yes, Webb took Arlngton by 60%. The rally may have gotten coverage up in Arlington, but not here. Webb took our district by a mere 47 votes.

They just had local coverage of the win here. Of course they had to say that Webb lost heavily in the AA communities, Virginia Beach is the only city he outright won in this area. I know Miller was saying stuff about him and affirmative action and he wasn't diverse, so they have Allen come on and instantly start the talking points. Here we go arrrrgh.

They also mentioned that Webb is going in for surgery tomorrow but no details.

[ProSense]

35. I followed the results

Here:

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/06/live_election_r.html

I was a little nervous because I really want Allen out!

[wisteria]

36. I am so happy for you guys. I am as excited as if I had voted myself.

I didn't like nor trust Webb at all But, I have to say that Kerry's endorsement made me take another look at him a little differently. I think knowing that Webb's son was going to be going to Iraq made me feel he was after this Senate seat for good reasons, to do all he could to protect his son and in turn helping to protect other soldiers too.

I also think this is a notable race for three other reasons,

1. Webb comes with an anti-Iraq message. This should make the slow to get on board Dem's in the Senate sit up and take notice. An anti-war candidate from fairly conservative VA Democrats won the primary.

2. He won even though Miller had a 2 to 1 advantage money wise. Proving that having the most money doesn't necessarily automatically mean you will win.

3. Kerry visibly endorsed him, attending a rally on the day before the primary. Some people may have worried that Kerry's endorsement could have a negative impact. This win proved that just the opposite was true. Of added interest- from what I understand Warner had endorsed Miller.

Anyway, congratulations everyone, you did well!!

[beachmom]

42. FYI -- Warner remained neutral during this primary

He originally recruited Miller to run since nobody would. But then when Webb got in the race, he stayed as neutral as he could.

[wisteria]

45. Oh, I had read somewhere that Warner supported Miller. Perhaps,

they were referring to what you mentioned.

[JI7]

38. i guess he won

it will be interesting to see how he deals with Kerry in the General Election. i hope Allen gets his ass kicked.

[JohnKleeb]

39. Its going to be close

Allen will of course have the advantage since he's an incumbent unless some scandal involving him is brewing.

[whometense]

40. I dunno.

Is his complete idiocy a scandal?

[JohnKleeb]

41. Haha no unfortunely

I've already seen some of his ads. He's been governor here before too for that matter. The man's an idiot but this won't be easy.

[whometense]

43. Did you all see this?

Very interesting - and sorry if someone's already posted it. (via Shaun at Upper Left)

Va. Senate: Kerry and Webb Mend Fences

Sen. John Kerry and Virginia Senate candidate Jim Webb put more than 30 years of ill will behind them today as they appeared together at an Arlington, Va., rally on the eve of the state's congressional primary.

Although Kerry had already formally endorsed Webb over former technology lobbyist Harris Miller, the Webb campaign was clearly hoping to use the event as a high-profile testament to Webb's Democratic bona fides, which Miller has attacked relentlessly on the radio. (Webb served in the administration of former president Ronald Reagan and supported Sen. George Allen over incumbent Chuck Robb, a Democrat, in 2000.)

For one attendee, the Kerry appearance seemed to work. "If John Kerry doesn't have a problem with it, I don't know why anyone should," said Ken Bernstein, a Webb supporter and active political blogger who attended the Arlington event.

In their remarks, both men acknowledged the long-standing chasm between them, saying it was the result of the differing paths they took following their service in Vietnam. Both said the importance of this year's elections helped them resolve their differences.

Webb said the Republican attacks on Kerry's military credentials during the 2004 campaign played a major part in their rapprochement. "Why do we keep trying to nitpick the service of someone 35 years ago when we are not holding people accountable for what they are doing today?" Webb asked. The crowd responded with roars of applause. Kerry said that even in during their long estrangement, he always had "tremendous respect" for Webb...

[karynnj]

44. Does anyone else find Webb's comment ungracious?

Kerry overlooked Webb's attacks from 2 years ago and his rudeness over the years, reached out and endorsed Webbb in the Democratic primary. It may very well have made the difference between winning and losing the nomination for Webb. The near DC suburbs that Kerry carried seem to have gone for Webb.

The problem here is this statement would be fairer if said about Bush's record - it's irrelevent as it was long ago. In Webb's op-ed he did the same thing - listing Kerrey's and Murtha's medals in detail while saying Kerry served "volantarily." Kerry genuinely praised Webb and came out to endorse him, you would think that he could say more than they shouldn't "nitpick" Kerry's service.

I know it's important for him to win, but I still think he is a conceited intolerant person unwilling to genuinely rethink his firmly held opinion. I am amazed that Kerry has the grace to overlook these slights for the good of the country. (I would not have posted this before the primary.)

[wisteria]

46. Then again, he still considers McCain a friend. There must be some

truth to that old cliche that says, "politics makes strange bedfellows".

[JohnKleeb]

47. Dunno

what I did find interseting is that Webb, a strong opponent of outsourcing did better in my part of the state which hasn't been as impacted by outsourcing as the southwestern part near Roanoke where my grandfather's sister used to live. Webb won that area FYI but did much better in Northern Va. I wish he would have said more. I don't know if Kerry's endorsement won him the primary or not but it did help me consider him at least. It was a hard vote honestly. I really did like that Miller's strongest backers were form in state.