Question to Virginians:

[Arkana]

I'm from Massachusetts. Deval Patrick has a 27 point lead on Kerry "DEVAL'S A NEGRO YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR A NEGRO" Healey, and Ted Kennedy is as sure as death and taxes.

My attention, therefore, has been on races in other states, in particular your Senate race. After it looked like "macaca" had destroyed George Allen once and for all, this whole Webb "book" thing comes up. Without sugarcoating it, answer me: how will people handle it down there?

[Squatch]

1. Well, currently, I handling it by choking down a Sam Adams.

[Arkana]

2. Always a GOOD decision.

[novalib]

3. WEBB WILL WIN!!!!

Jim's gonna whip some ALLEN ASS!!!

[SaveElmer]

4. Not sure yet...but...

I am starting to feel like I did last year when the Repubs pulled the Hitler ad on Tim Kaine. It completely backfired...

I am starting to get that feeling now. It is characterized by a strong effective response from Webb..which we have gotten...

And most particularly from folks that would normally support Allen. We are getting vehement criticism from Republican sources of Allen...

It also refocuses the fact that Jim Webb is a decorated vet...and the focus beginning to shift from Webb's novel, to Allen's sleazy campaign tactics...

It's possible this may not bubble into the rural areas of the state to any great degree...but here in Northern Virginia, it is definitely gonna help Webb...

[never_get_over_it]

6. I'm not in Virgina anymore - but was for over 20 years

in Northern VA (left two years ago) and I would be stunned if Webb lost in Northern VA. I don't think this book crap will make a bit of difference there - but the macaca and all the other crap that has gone with it will I'm sure motivate people to get out and vote for Webb. If the turn out is big in Northern VA it will counter balance the places where the macaca thing actually help Allen.

All in all for the incumbent to be this close in the polls at this point is much worse for Allen than it is for Webb and I am hopefull....Truthfully I'm starting to get a little more worried about the Maryland Senate race....

[Parisle]

5. Maybe too early to tell,....

---- I'm from practically the dumbest, most heathen-rightwing sector of the state,... and these people do not read books in the first place,.... so the Allen charges are not likely to be investigated firsthand by the voters they are attempting to sway, nor will Webb's literary explanation make much sense to them. Webb's response thusfar has been pretty good, but it's still hard to say. Of particular interest, though, is the emerging (potential) story about Allen's "sealed divorce papers," and possible charges of abuse which may be contained within them. A balancing act, eh? Give it a couple of days....

[never_get_over_it]

7. I just read this press release and all I can say

is HOLY CRAP - if only John Kerry had done something like this to the freaking swift boaters:

http://www.webbforsenate.com/press/release.php?id=225

"Perhaps if you had read Webb’s book, you would not be so quick to take his experiences and attempt to twist them for selfish, personal, political gain. Perhaps if you had purchased Webb’s books and at least read about these types of atrocities, you would not have been so gung ho about blindly following the misguided and malfeasant actions of another man who did not witness firsthand the ugliness of war, George W. Bush. And perhaps if you had gone to Vietnam and served as a company commander instead of serving as a drover at a dude ranch, or serving as a surfing instructor on Malibu Beach, you would temper your feigned indignation. A man who did read this same book you disparage, John McCain, praised its honest portrayal of the heinous nature and repercussions of war.

Perhaps Senator, if sheltered Hollywood neighborhoods and elitist dude ranches had unspeakable death, destruction, rape, and unspeakable inhumanity to man and woman, you might now know how self serving your shock and indignation is. But, until you have witnessed firsthand the ugliness of war and the destruction it reaps upon all people, including the innocent ones, you should learn to keep quiet."

I'm beginning to believe Jim Webb will be the next Senator from Virginia..