Did you know that Webb initially supported Allen over Robb in 2000?

[WorldResident]

I did not know this!

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http://george.loper.org/archives/2000/Nov/096.html

[Hand]

1. Webb was a Republican for a long time.

He was Reagan's Navy Secretary as well; I was surprised by this, since I'd read a couple of his novels and found him a very incisive, smart writer.

Well, he saw the light, which is not greatly surprising, but entirely gratifying. :patriot:

[Name removed]

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[JI7]

3. yes, it's well known he was a Republican

i did not trust him at first. but i have been impressed with him and look forward to seeing more of him.

[OHdem10]

4. The important thing is that he came

to the realization that within his own mind and
conscience: that Social justice, the wealth gap
and globalization creating injustice and economic
dislocations were problems that could be solved
only in the Democratic Party. This was his
reason for becoming a Democrat. His views on
Iraq were more compatible with many in the Democratic
Party also.

I can understand how he would choose Allen over
Robb. He was nominally a Republican himself
and as dear Harry Truman says. " Give the people
a choice between a Real Republican and a Fake
Republican--they will choose the real thing
every time",

[westerebus]

5. So?

Webb never hide his roots as a republican. His explanation was the Dem's were not strong on defense and did not respect the sacrifices made by those who served in the military. Coming from a Marine platoon commander who served in combat in Viet Nam is that any surprise?
He was opposed to the Iraq war way ahead of most folks. That and globalization caused a change of party.

[WorldResident]

10. I knew he was a Republican for a while

I just though maybe he was a RINO, since he did endorse Robb in 1994.

I just found it interesting (with no connotation intended) that he publicly supported the opponent he ran against and defeated six years later. I guess it shows the fluidity and activity in government.

[Mike Daniels]

6. And a Republican gave Robb six years in office prior to that

Robb was already a flawed candidate that only survived the prior election because of a third candidate (Coleman) supported by Warner.

That Robb couldn't beat Allen showed how weak Robb was to begin with.

[Frances]

7. Robb was a good governor

and he was a good Senator as I recall. But then he got a massage from a young woman and there were rumors of him partying too much.

Allen was a popular governor (I didn't like him), but most people did. He was the son of the very popular Redskins coach. I remember the ads that Allen ran on TV. First there would be a black and white picture of a tired, old-looking Robb. Then there would be photos of a smiling, young Allen with his young wife and young children.

Robb had supported some controversial Democratic bills (he was a good guy as I recall), and Allen used those votes against him to great effect because at that time there was a higher percentage of conservative voters in the state than there are at the present time. (One reason given for Webb's win is the change in demographics.)

[Leopolds Ghost]

8. Perhaps he's a plant -- Part of a devious plan to position Allen for the presidency.

:crazy: