about that Virginia Senate Primary Webb and Miller

[JI7]

towards the end it says Webb used some New Testament term against Miller who is Jewish which could hurt Webb. does anyone know what it was ?


<Virginia Democratic Senate rivals rip each other in TV forum

NORFOLK, Va. -- Two Democrats vying for their party's U.S. Senate nomination ripped into each other in their first debate Friday with rhetoric that was often angry, sometimes breathless and, at one point, apocalyptic.

Wealthy former technology industry lobbyist Harris Miller and former Reagan Navy Secretary James H. Webb bitterly accused each other of siding with Republicans.

Miller struck first, citing Webb's endorsement six years ago of Republican George Allen, who won his seat by defeating Democratic former Sen. Chuck Robb. Allen is seeking re-election as he positions himself for a 2008 presidential run.

"You attacked Chuck Robb, a fellow Marine, in 2000," Miller charged, interrupting Webb as he lashed Allen for supporting President Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq.

"I never attacked Chuck Robb," Webb shot back, "and second of all, why have 11 people from his senior staff endorsed me instead of you?"

Miller noted his edge in endorsements from state legislators and major figures in the state party establishment.

Webb countered that five senior U.S. Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, had endorsed him.

"They don't live in Virginia," Miller fumed. >

more at http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--webb-miller0519may19,0,5854746.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

[karynnj]

1. I don't understand the attraction of Webb

It really seems he puts his foot in his mouth fairly often and has an anger management problem.

[MH1]

2. I like this from Miller:

"Miller said he supports forcing automakers to substantially improve fuel efficiency of cars and greater use of fuels made from farm crops. Webb went one step farther and said he supported more nuclear power. Miller disagreed, citing problems storing spent nuclear fuel."

So, they are similar on alternative energy except Webb is pro-nuke and Miller recognizes the issues with nuclear power.

Of course I don't live in VA but if Webb can tout all his out of state endorsements....

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. I missed the debate

it was on early this morning which is a lousy time for a debate. ell being here in Virginia, I am with Miller, thank goodness Kerry has not endorsed Webb, and I'm glad that Miller stated his Virginia endorsements. Hopefully I will be able to find this debate somewhere, so I can watch it.

[beachmom]

6. Debate will air on Sunday at 10:30 AM on Ch. 13, Fedup

I will definitely be taping that!! Who knows, maybe the station's website will also provide it afterwords.

They said that right now, you can see a sneak preview at their website:

www.wvec.com

I'm having problems with the sound on my computer right now, so I'll just wait to view tomorrow.

[fedupinBushcountry]

7. Thanks, Beachmom

will definitely tune in, I will check out the preview after the live Kenyon webcast.

[beachmom]

4. Just got an e-mail from Miller -- holy toledo -- Webb was terrible

Yes, it's an e-mail from Miller, but man, this is bad (and I believe it):

Harris's opponent, James Webb, lost his composure and refused to answer the question when he was asked to explain how he could have supported George Bush and George Allen in 2000. Webb voted for Bush and publicly endorsed George Allen six years ago, attacking Chuck Robb, and calling Bill Clinton's presidency "the most corrupt administration in modern memory."

Webb remained defensive and on edge throughout the debate, culminating with, as the Washington Post described it, "an impromptu press conference after the taping with a visibly frustrated Webb telling Miller to 'shut your mouth.'"

That kind of outburst helps explain why Webb has refused to participate in other major debates, including one hosted by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and another proposed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.

Meanwhile, Harris spoke knowlegeably and passionately about the need for our country to invest in the future - improving education, increasing opportunities for job training, breaking America's addiction to foreign oil by investing in alternative energy, and creating a real exit strategy to get our troops home from Iraq.

Harris also remains the only candidate in this race holding Donald Rumsfeld accountable for his failures in Iraq. As the Washington Post reported, "Miller again called for the firing of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, something that Webb again declined to do."

Webb lashed out with a barrage of negative attacks against Harris today, including outlandishly referring to Harris as the "anti-Christ of outsourcing." But none of this ludicrous name-calling explains why just last month, Webb was still singing the praises of Ronald Reagan, telling MSNBC, "Ronald Reagan was a really fine president on the issues that I cared about."

Virginia Democrats are looking for a candidate who can bring real leadership, real change, and real Virginia Democratic values to Washington. Harris Miller proved today that he is the Virginia Democrat we can count on.

Um . . . I suppose referring to a Jewish person as the "anti-Christ" might be construed by some as a tad anti-semitic. He may not have intended that but that's how it comes across, proving, once again, that Webb is an amateur.

Kerry only met with this guy, but did NOT endorse him. The right approach, I would say.

[karynnj]

5. Not Ready for prime time

Allen is an idiot but a smooth one who can appear mellow sometimes. Did they know anything about this guy before they annointed him? I agree Kerry keeping quiet is perfect. I hope Miller wins the primary in spite of all Webb's high profile endorsements.

I don't think the phrase "anti-christ of outsourcing" would be good for a Christian either and it also makes no sense in terms of what the anti-christ was supposed to do. A Democrat in the image of Ronald Reagan is hard to imagine.

[JohnKleeb]

8. Didn't watch the debate but my thoughts from reading this and a WaPo artic

Miller seems to be very proud of having Virginians backing him and I share his skepticalness of non Virginians exclusively backing Webb. It's ironic that Webb is running the grassroots and outsider campaign but he has the highest ranked Democrat in the senate behind him and that to me shows he is no outsider. Regarding the anti christ comments I think they were more stupid than anti semitic mainly because you have Webb still singing Reagan's praises and more jobs got outsourced by Reagan who was Webb's boss than Miller, this doesn't absolve Miller of course but it does ask to me if Webb knows what happened in the 80's. The whole thing on the environment is a big plus for me honestly in regards to Miller. I am liking him more as a candidate because he is proud to have Virginians backing him and exempting the labor and outsourcing issues he seems to be all the correct side on the issues. I don't know who could beat Allen and it is clear to me that one doesn't stand a bigger chance than the other so I think the more able to beat Allen argument used by Webb's supporters is false. It is interesting though from reading what they have posted on their websites that Miller, a techie seems to have the better grasp on foreign affairs than Webb does.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Bah saw the email that Webb sent to his supporters in the Va Group

Miller didn't deny supporting those republicans. Bah.