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 ...
Allen. A professional has-been. Could not handle a simple kid with a camera trying to smear him.
I’m sure he’s a real nice guy. We need people who can fight back against the unfair coverage, not wilt under it.
I wonder if Ken Cuccinelli would consider running? He’d clean Webb’s clock and pretty much guarantee that Warner won’t get back in either.
Re-machaca!
He would certainly have my vote!
I know, me too.
Any repub/conservative/tea party member over Webb. Get rid of every ‘rat/socialist/progressive/collectivist freedom-extinguishing SCUMBAG.
Allen ping
You think he could really pull it off? I’d love to shove it down the Post’s throat.
I think several things have happened since 2006 that make it very possible for George Allen to win in 2012. Not the least among them is buyer’s remorse over Jim Webb.
Most people who look at it honestly understand that macaca was a stupid mistake, but more than that it was an orchestrated witch hunt.
I will be doing everything I can got get George Allen back in office.
Allen’s biggest mistake was that he apologized for that “macaca” issue... repeatedly. He should’ve put the issue quietly to sleep by stressing more pressing issues. He’s a strong conservative, and I for one would be happy to have him back representing the Old Dominion.
That would be a huge pickup. Trade a loon for a conservative.
...now that Virginia voters know real maccaca when they see it...
We do not need more Orrin Hatch type nice guys who think liberals are just misguided people who have different ideas on how to govern the country sort of like Walter Mondale or the modern dwindling stock equivalent of liberals who are also nice guys.
Right now, I can't think of one prominent liberal whom I would consider a gentlemen or a nice guy in the Walter Mondale mold. They are all either mindless dupes (such as Patricia Bin Murray or Bob Casey, Jr.) or downright evil (such as Dick Durbin or Harry Reid).
I doubt Cucinelli would run. He’d need to quit as AG and I’ve read that his plan is to seek a second term in that office.
Mark Warner? Sheesh. Haven’t hear a peep from him since election night. In 2014, the Republicans can certainly us the fact that he did nothing and it would be valid.
They are all either mindless dupes (such as Patricia Bin Murray or Bob Casey, Jr.) or downright evil (such as Dick Durbin or Harry Reid).
I always wondered where Feinstein fit in. She is not a dupe and not really evil, but not a “Walter Mondale” either.
I think Claire McCaskill of Missouri would like to be a floater, but doesn't quite have the brains to graduate out of the dupe class.
I would love to have another chance to vote for Allen. He’s a superb candidate and was a good senator. A lot of folks are dumping on him for that “macaca” business, but the playing field was very different a few years ago. The WaPost has lost a lot of influence, people have their belly full of 0bama and I think a lot of Virginians have finally wised up to the media’s tricks. The WaPost/Webb sleaze machine that slimed Allen in 2006 is going to be a lot harder to crank up in 2012
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