VA people: I have a question about Webb

[GRLMGC]

What was his reasoning for backing Allen in 2000?

[fedupinBushcountry]

1. I have no idea

unless he was still a Republican. My husband, who was in the Navy when he was Secretary of the Navy, said as soon as he heard the name there was something he did not like about Webb. I told him oh please remember what it is, so hopefully I will have some more info on him soon.

[beachmom]

2. I think it had to do with Allen's opponent being Chuck Robb

Chuck Robb had a lot of issues that probably became a turnoff for a lot of people including Webb. I didn't live in Virginia at the time, but I do remember that election between Robb and Oliver North, where people felt like they had to pick the least bad choice. However, that was through the media, so I haven't a clue how bad Robb really was, or if it was more propaganda.

On a related note, I taped Colbert and watched Webb. I tried to watch him, forgetting about the anti-Kerry stuff. And you know what? It wasn't a very good performance -- he didn't seem ready for prime time, and I think Allen may have a pretty easy time making the guy look like an amateur. I haven't seen Harris Miller, but I have to say that I have a BAD feeling that Allen will have little problem in his race. Please God let Harris Miller be better on TV than Webb!!!

[globalvillage]

3. Miller has some experience in the media

Appeared on numerous network and cable television programs, radio programs and has been quoted in virtually all major national news publications. These include CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, BBC, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Business Week, Financial Times and many more.

more...
http://www.cybercitizenship.org/aboutus/bios_miller.html

I haven't seen him on TV, but he's not a neophyte. This is a pretty good bio, BTW.

[karynnj]

4. His bio looks great

he really sounds impressive. Heading those organizations would seem to show that he would make a good Senator as he had to get people to work together on best practices. The year 2000 stuff really did work and was a case of fixing a predictable problem before it occured. I agree with you that it would be very useful to have someone with real technical expertise. (In his case he has both the technical expertise and the experience of running the industry group.)

Wasn't there a magazine that picked the 12 best people in Congress on high tech issues and Kerry was the only Senator included. So, there may well be a need to have someone like Miller. Just like having Corzine was a major plus when the Senate was writing Sarbanes/Oxley, there would likely be times when this would help.

[globalvillage]

9. I believe you're correct.

If Sen Kerry is the only senate 'techie', then there is a void. I think Miller could do a lot with his background.

No offense to JK, obviously. It's great that he was included, but it's just one of many areas where he's incredibly well informed. Miller, OTOH, would be the expert on tech issues. He would be a tremendous asset to the senate.

Besides, when JK goes on to bigger and better things :-) who will represent the IT geeks?

[karynnj]

5. But he supported Robb 6 years before that.

If he supported Allen because of problems with Robb, it almost seems this is a pattern:

He supported Robb, because he hated North
if true, he supported Allen, because he was upset with Robb
and for all real purposes, he supported Bush because he hated Kerry

(His articles spewed hate (for Kerry) for several paragraphs then dispassionately spoke about Bush's flaws. The detail, some inaccurate, he threw at Kerry likely had far more impact - because it was first and because it sounded substantive.)

[GRLMGC]

8. But its ALLEN!

Supporting him is pretty unforgiveable considering its ALLEN! I don't know why the 2000 election in VA was so fascinating to me but I know Robb had some problems. In spite of that, I think he was a decent guy. Especially compared to ALLEN! Sorry to put his name in all caps but the guy is a first-class moron

[beachmom]

6. Small dKos diary accusing of Miller people of "swiftboating" Webb!

Please go in and destroy poster:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/3/10/94153/8512

[karynnj]

7. Talk about a missuse of the word "swiftboating"

It was an open valid endorsement of his opponent by a former military woman who raised the issue of his actions towards women in the military. Nothing underhanded, nothing distorted. Also this was recent compared to 1971 testimony. Why is it unfair to question Webb about a 10 yr old statement?

What is more like "swiftboating" is the insinuations in the OP.

He's a lobbyist -> Tom Delay deals with lobbyists -> clearly all lobbyists are bad. Isn't it a constitutional right to be able to petition the government. Now, if there are accusations that he bought Congress people that's different.

Also, why the nasty implications on his resume. Which is nastier - bringing up a publicly available document that is not in question and can be answered, or using insinuations to slime?

Any bets on who will post this in GD-P? I expect some waves today.