Miller vs Webb on Hardball

Date: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 8:32 PM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1496 -- 06/07/2006 >>>>>

According to this blog, Harris "the Shiller" Miller and James Webb will be
on MSNBC Hardball tommorow. If you miss it, hopefully the video will be
online at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/

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http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/06/va_sen_allen_hi.html

June 06, 2006
VA SEN: Allen Hits The Airwaves
Once again, a story fell through the cracks as we published today, so we
post it here in lieu of inclusion in today's Hotline.

Sen. George Allen (R) will start his ad campaign 6/7, five months before
the general election and weeks before his Dem opponent is selected. The ad
is "positive and talks of Allen's achievements as senator and, before that"
as gov. Allen manager Dick Wadhams: "It is time to start connecting with
voters. The state has areas that have experienced a lot of growth in the
six years and have never seen Senator Allen's name on the ballot,"
especially in NoVA (Whitley, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/6).

Ex-telecom lobbyist Harris Miller (D) and ex-Navy Sec. James Webb (D) will
appear "for only about 10 minutes" on 6/8 on MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris
Matthews. Miller's campaign was first to accept the invitation and "Webb's
campaign conditionally accepted later." Though fleeting, it would "provide
the only statewide television duel between" Miller and Webb. On 6/9 a.m.
they will "confront each other" on Washington's WTOP radio, which covers
all of NoVA where both Dems "have focused much of their primary campaigns."
They had debated on a Norfolk TV station in 5/06 (Lewis, AP, 6/5).

Webb "supports affirmative action for blacks but otherwise thinks
preferential job and education programs should be awarded based on economic
conditions or eliminated altogether." Webb: "I think it's time to either
open this thing up to poor white groups or just go back to a level playing
field -- while keeping an eye on African Americans. I'm a strong supporter
of affirmative action in its original intent, which is to help African
Americans."

His general views on affirmative action contrast those he put forth in a
2001 book review published in The Wall Street Journal: "Affirmative action,
which originally sought to repair the state-induced damage to blacks from
slavery and its aftermath, has within one generation brought about a
permeating state-sponsored racism that is as odious as the Jim Crow laws it
sought to countermand."

"In a low-turnout primary, Webb's position could cost votes in critical
black communities. At the same time, his criticism of diversity programs
intended to help groups other than blacks could jeopardize support among
such constituencies as women and Latinos who also have benefited from
diversity initiatives."

Webb "countered the criticism by announcing he has the backing" of Del.
Donald McEachin (D), a member of the Legislative Black Caucus. McEachin
said he spoke with Webb about the issue and was more than satisfied with
his response (Helderman, Washington Post, 6/6). Ex-VA SCLC chair Milton
Reid endorsed Webb on 6/5 because of his opposition to the war in Iraq
(release, 5/6).

Washington Post's Fisher writes: "Webb portrays himself as a tough guy. His
allegiance, he says, is not to party or platform but to the root ideals
that bind Americans who long ago lost confidence in both parties. ... Webb
can seem cold, gruff, perhaps a bit too self-reliant." But if there is the
"worry that he might be one more plain-speaking political neophyte with
refreshing candor but not much savvy about the art of compromise" he's also
reminiscent of outsiders who were elected...with no particular ideological
baggage but with a reputation for independence and competence."

"If he can get past the ideological purity test that party primaries have
turned into...Webb wants to challenge George Allen with a campaign that
rallies voters against the rising inequalities in American society and the
mortgaging of both parties' souls to an international aristocracy of
financers and corporate executives" (6/6).

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) endorsed Webb (release, 6/6).

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