Let's hope it's better than hers...
Posted on 12/15/2010 5:14:13 AM PST by onyx
Virginia's Webb under 50 percent
Virginia Republicans are eagerly eyeing a potential rematch between freshman Democratic Sen. Jim Webb and former GOP Sen. George Allen, who has posted strong numbers in early polls and has the backing of the party establishment in what could be one of the bellwether races of the 2012 cycle.
Mr. Webb's upset victory in 2006 was hailed as a key blow by Democrats to turn the once strongly Republican-leaning state into a political battleground. Barack Obama's victory in the state in the 2008 presidential race appeared to solidify the Old Dominion's status as a swing state.
But Republicans have bounced back, recapturing the governor's mansion in 2009 and knocking off three Democratic members of Congress in the November midterm elections. Mr. Allen, many Republicans believe, is poised to build on those gains.
Mr. Allen, a former governor before being elected to the Senate in 2000, "is Webb's biggest nightmare," said GOP strategist Tom Edmonds. "George Allen is in synch with the Virginia electorate. He also was a conservative long before the 'tea party' movement and one who doesn't frighten Republicans or Democrats. Allen will be able to grab the attention of conservatives all over the country."
A rematch isn't a certainty: Mr. Webb has not committed to running for a second term, and Mr. Allen has not declared himself a candidate. But the Republican has stepped up his attacks on his successor, criticizing his recent votes supporting union organizing rights for some public-sector safety workers and against banning congressional spending earmarks.
Mr. Allen pointedly noted that Mr. Webb on those votes broke with his fellow Democratic senator from Virginia, Mark Warner.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Cucinelli is a great AG. I’d lke to see him get a second term and then go on to the Governor’s mansion. Or higher. Much higher. As far as I’m concerned, he’s Presidential timber someday.
I think Allen learned quite a bit from the macaca incident. But his biggest mistake wasn’t macaca or the attack on Webb’s books.
The biggest mistake was not taking the Senate campaign seriously enough with an eye on the White House (even Rush was promoting him). That’s why Dick Wadhams was brought in after the successful SD campaign for John Thune.
When macaca hit, Wadhams misplayed it and pushed Allen to the multiple apologies. When the poll numbers began to sink, they didn’t have enough opposition research to hit Webb with anything other than his writing and “Webb hates women.”
In spite of all that, on a night when Republicans were being slaughtered nationwide, Allen lost by less than half a percentage point.
For those reasons, and more, that I won’t go into on these threads, the 2006 campaign was different than any other Allen campaign I’ve seen in the 25 years I’ve known him.
All that to say, yes, he’s ready for his closeup.
I agree. The nasty news media wouldn’t relent and George Allen didn’t manage to move onto other issues. It was a stupid ‘gotcha’ then and it’s even more dumb today. A total non-starter.
I really liked George Allen, too. I was pretty happy to come across this article.
GOOD to hear, Corin!
LOL. Of course he running for reelection and I hope he gets clobbered.
Both Allen and Ken Cuc. could beat Webb if if if the voters who put the new House together, can come out in droves to defeat Obama on the top of the ticket.
I second the motion. He is doing a great job, and driving the RATS crazy in the process!
Democratic Sen. Jim Webb['s]... upset victory in 2006 was hailed as a key blow by Democrats to turn the once strongly Republican-leaning state into a political battleground. Barack Obama's victory in the state in the 2008 presidential race appeared to solidify the Old Dominion's status as a swing state. But Republicans have bounced back, recapturing the governor's mansion in 2009 and knocking off three Democratic members of Congress in the November midterm elections.
That is exactly what I have been thinking for some time now. Have you heard him speak? He's very, very good. Definitely Presidential material.
Well said. Honestly, has he nothing better to do with his life? His dad is rolling over in his grave.
Cucinelli spoke at our church a few years ago in support of the marriage amendment and I had the pleasure of eating lunch with him afterwards. He is one of the best speakers in today’s Republican party.
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