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Subscribe to RSSFirst Read confirms the news that Virginia Sen. Jim Webb (D) won't seek re-election next year.
He narrowly won his race in 2006, edging out incumbent Sen. George Allen. Allen has already announced he's running for his old seat.
Webb just released this statement:
It has been a great and continuing privilege to serve in the United States Senate. I am very proud of my talented and dedicated staff, which has worked tirelessly to resolve the issues on which I based my candidacy, and to protect the interests of all Virginians in this national forum. Among other contributions we have given our Post- 9/11 veterans the best GI Bill since World War Two; we have taken the lead in reforming our criminal justice system; we have led the way toward stronger relations in East and Southeast Asia; and we have been a strong voice in calling on China to act more responsibly in the world community. We will continue to work on these and other issues throughout the rest of my term.
However, after much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012.
Notwithstanding this decision, I have every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country.
*** UPDATE *** With Webb not running for re-election, the speculation turns to whether DNC Chairman (and former Virginia Gov.) Tim Kaine (D) will run.
A Democratic strategist tells NBC News that just because Kaine has not indicated interest in the Senate seat doesn't mean that he won't run. (The question is whether Democratic leaders can pressure Kaine to run, and whether Kaine really wants the seat.)
Another Democratic name -- if Kaine passes -- is former Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello, who lost his bid for re-election last November.
Democrats point out that Obama won Virginia by six percentage points in 2008.
That said, without Webb or Kaine on the ballot, Democrats might have a difficult time holding on to this seat, even in the 2012 presidential year.
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I trust the good people of VA to do the proper thing and NOT send the xenophobe Allen anywhere near DC again!
On another note - here's further prove that the Teapublicans would toss their own mother into a live volcano if it meant winning back POWER:
So Feisty, if you had a choice between a candidate whose views closely matched yours, but had no chance of winning a general election, and a candidate who had a good shot at defeating the Republican candidate for President, you'd actually pick the former over the latter?
I sincerely doubt that.
I notice that the interests of the American people, the people who elected them and who enabled them to serve, are not mentioned at all!
How sad...
Get real, Feisty. I bet you wouldn't have a problem if the Dems did the same thing. The hypocrisy of liberals and Dems is one big reason why I no longer support that party. I belong to an ethnic minority but based on experience, I get a more honest assessment of my qualities from conservative friends than from liberal ones.
The Democratic party boasts of a number of minorities in Congress. But sadly, most of them, if not all, come from minority districts. That's NOT diversity. That's racial segregation.
Thanks to our screwed up primary system where half or more of the candidate field has dropped out of the race before a lot of people have had the chance to vote, we are seldom presented with a candidate who meats all of our ideological criteria which ultimately means a candidate who offers some things we agree with and some we disagree with. Personally (and I know this one is going to set Feisty & Co. all a tither) I would happily cast my 2012 primary vote for Sarah Palin as I think she's the truest conservative in the lot, but I think her chances of overall victory are highly suspect since it's the folks in the middle who determine the outcome of elections. I will cast my vote for the candidate who most closely matches my fiscal ideology and stands an actual chance of victory instead because I think an Obama presidency with no concern for reelection will present an even more radical shift to the left than an Obama presidency with a democratic super majority did- this scares me for the future of our country. I believe social policy will sort itself out so I will focus on the fiscal even if it means I don't agree with everything the candidate stands for- it's all about choosing priorities.
Suzy...Would vote for Palin? 'Nuff said.
We need to abolish BOTH of these two corporate-owned special interest groups (formerly known as the Republican and Democrat political parties), and elect our representatives based on who they are and what they represent. George Washington was right--factions are bad for this country! Anyone who thinks either party represents the interests of the American people needs to have their head examined and their voting right suspended until such time as they are cured of their delusion.
Suzy - Although I'm coming from a polar opposite here, I've often wondered about the nomination process. Why are the populations of Iowa and New Hampshire and to some degree South Carolina were deemed so important that the winner of one or two of those contests is seen as the best qualified to lead the country. Yes I understand they are the first in line and supporters line up with a winner, my question is why is less than 1% of the US voting population given such grand authority.
I suggest that a more fair selection of first primaries and caucuses be used. Perhaps a lottery selection that rotates to allow other states to go first every cycle.
No offense to Jody and John B, Iowa its time to play nice and share.
Yellowdog-Mark, I don't honestly understand why we don't have a national primary day just like we have a national election day. Everyone who bothers to vote would have an equal voice in the outcome and it would probably significantly reduce the amount of time and money spent on the campaigns.
DC Smith- So predictable. But at least I always know what to expect with you kids.
This is very disappointing. A former Republican and Asst. Secretary of the
Navy under Reagan, someone that middle of the road giving up is very scary.
I'm sure he's realized that our country is run by uneducated knee jerk types
that only have their own best interest in mind, not what's best for the country.
This is a very sad day not only for Virginia, but for America.
Right, guess you're favor of importing more Latino's and Muslims? Idiot!
This is a sad day for Virginia. VA was one of the critical states for Obama. It is now up to the WHOLE DEMO PARTY to convince Tim Kaine to run for senate. George Allen is the CLASSIC GOOD 'OLE BOY - I would think that the Tea folks would not like himBush where he had a famous daddy and the rich folks rallied around one of the boys.
Also, no surprise, I suspect Webb didn't mix well with the politicos in D.C. Kaine's wife is the daughter of a former govenor of VA (Holden) and is much more part of the political crowd without being beholden like Allen.
Feisty Redhead:
Allen is worse than just xenophobic; he's a neo-Confederate who hung the Confederate traitors' flag in his office -- and a noose. We all know what the noose represented.
Tim Kaine will not run , he was a part time governor in our Commonwealth of Virginia that left the budget in red ink . Bob McDonnel the new Governor is ten times better. George Allen is not the tea party candidate, he is not so conservative like people think, however , Democrats play character assasination agaist him and use the race card for a macaca word that most people don't even know what macaca or macaco means. I think is good to have one Senator Democrat and one Republican for VA because is more representative. Virginia is not a blue state.
lt.jdangle: I am VERY happy with how things have gone. When Bush left office I had lost more than 50% of my 401k; the market was at it's near low at about 7000 and today the Dow is at 12,200. If the stimilus had not been implemented and the economy gotten that big push, we would be in bigger trouble right now.
The housing market will recover but the job market won't because YOUR PRESIDENT gave about 2,000,000 jobs to China, Vietnam, & India, etc. We have NOTHING TO THANK YOU FOR EXCEPT A BIG MESS YOU LEFT US. So why in the world would we want more of that??????????
What an amazing person we are losing to represent us. It will be very interesting now to sit back and watch how the teapartyers try to destroy the republican party!!
Houston
What is wrong with the confederate flag, Sen. Weeb has it too. It represent the south , like it or not. It has nothing to do with slavery it is a myth. I'm not a racist ,but I love my southern heritage, my southern food and my southern flag.
@TheBaker (#1.3): Very astute post. You're 100% correct in your assessment of the Dem. Party, especially the following:
"The Democratic party boasts of a number of minorities in Congress. But sadly, most of them, if not all, come from minority districts. That's NOT diversity. That's racial segregation."
Jessie, I agree with you 100%. I think people like dangle just say Obama & the Dems did this or did that to justify themselves in their own mind. they can't get over the initial fact of who won the White House. I'm pretty much independent but I think Obama is doing a hell of a job. it's ashame I've seen more friends & family leave the Republican party. it's amazing. first they were tired of the Bush/Cheyney lies and then we've had to deal with the Party of No No No. the Republican party needs to find itself if it is going to ever survive. being hijacked by the extreme right and mouthpieces like Beck & Palin only adds to their problems. the Tea Party? I can't figure them out but I don't think they can figure themselves out. if they stick to the fiscal issues that will be good. but if they turn their attention to social issues as the GOP house is now doing they will surely only hasten the demise of the GOP.
Sorry Jessie but we picked O'Donnell over Castle---no unlike the Dem's we WON'T do anything to keep power----Repub's won big in 2010 because the Dem's ruined the economy---like the billboard of Bush says "miss me yet?"
Nevada,
The creation of districts by the dems' gerrymandering guaranteed "safe" districts for black candidates. The problem was these black candidates have to only satisfisfy the interests of the majority black populations of the districts to get elected and re-elected. This self imposed "segregation" critics contend has caused black reps in congress to become isolated from their white and "other" constituents and these candidates have absolutely zero chance of winning statewide office because of their easily defined voting records. Therefore how many black senators do we have. Until Obama won what has been charitably called a democrat rigged election to the US Senate in 2006 no black person had been in the Senate since Ed Brooke a REPUBLICAN from Massachusetts. Prior to Brook the last black senators were seated during reconstruction! Being from a politically mixed state Obama was elected because the hijinks of the dem controlled Illinois Supreme Court dismantled the campaign of his opponent George Ryan. The zero black senators (dems that is) situation will continue as long as the "safe" districts exist
@fielden
Interests of the American People? They are all concerned with the interests of the American People . What you don't realize for some reason is that there are American People who matter, and American People who don't.
Yellowdog Mark D. No offense taken. I can tell you that Iowa caucus goers take their role seriously; they make the candidates work hard for their votes; they don't put up with candidates unwilling to put in the effort (Fred Thompson fussed about the cold and snow, fussed about meeting at local restaurants and he did poorly). Having been part of this process, we do a pretty darn good job of sorting out the best from the group. I can only speak from the democrat side of the caucus. The republican party in Iowa has fewer registered voters than democrats and they are very, very conservative and are more likely to select republican candidates like Huckabee, Palin, Bachmann--this is why we see Pawlenty, Romney, Gingrich shifting to the TP side of the GOP and pandering to that far right base.
Iowa is about 95% white yet Candidate Obama's race played no factor in his win. That's something I am very proud of. As an Iowan, I enjoy being first but admit that it would not bother me one bit if both parties agree to rotate who goes first. Starting with warmer weather, my phone will be ringing daily, the post office will earn extra money with mailings, and I'll find things stuck in the door. By the time Jan 2012 comes, Iowans will be happy to see caucus day gone--the silence is deafening afterwards.
Jim Webb has done a good job, and it's a shame to see him step down so soon.
Given the widening fracture between the Tea Party and mainstream Republicans in the House, as well as the very embarrassing record the Republicans have already recorded by following ultra-right Tea Party ideology in the 112th Congress, there is a possibility that come 2012 Virginia will see three candidates on the general ballot. One will be an "independent" backed by hard-line Tea Party voters, one will be a more centrist Republican, and the third, of course, a Democrat. (Oh, yeah, there are about a half-dozen other fringe parties that also post candidates, but I'm leaving them out of the calculus for now.)
In such a scenario, especially given that a number of independent voters will return to the Democrats in response to the kind of unproductive extremism now taking place in the GOP/TP, the Democrats should keep the seat.
Please note that the primaries almost certainly will focus on more hard-right candidates in the GOP, as well as among Tea Party voters. That influence drives away independents in the general election.
downwiththe bolsheviks
get your fact right before you speak. Carol Mosley Braun was a US senator before President Obama. Thank you very much.
I stand corrected..her service to the country was obviously forgettable. However she never served in the US house of reps..only in the Illinois house which was my point concerning black reps in safe districts not being able to win in statewide elections because of their well documented voting records turning off the general electorate. Fortunately Brown was tucked away in the less than visisble roll (even in Illinois) of a state rep
She wanted to be ambassador, sorry. No running for mayor of Chicago. Good luck. Not a Rahm fan, but he was certainly right in his advice to do healthcare incrementally. Am sorry that Sen. Webb is not running, he is a true American
Yellowdog-Mark D, The solution is to stop letting the states choose their primary date. Like the general election the primaries should be on the same day nation wide.
"That said, without Webb or Kaine on the ballot, Democrats might have a difficult time holding on to this seat, even in the 2012 presidential year."
With 23 Democratic Senate seats up for election in 2012 (vs only 10 for Republicans), I wonder how many other Democrats will decide to "spend more time with their family" instead of trying to defend their support for Obama's policies.
I wonder why ,,, Nov was the beggining of the end for Obama. This moving to the middle is way too late and too little. Webb dosen't have chance of getting elected and he knows it,,
Jim Webb is the best one out there. He protects the vets more than any one else. I hope he runs for president some day. He has my vote.
Tomvet, you are absolutely right and eric S, just goes to show you don't know squat....
Too bad...he's the only good person that the democrats have to offer. But, after the way they bent over backwards for every liberal agenda Obama and Pelosi to put in front of them, I'm ok watching he and other democrats deciding to pack up.
Obama will get re-elected in '12, but he'll have to deal with a republican House & Senate after the next congressional election.
Good, one LESS COMMIE to vote out!!
I would rather vote for a commie than an ignorant, right winged, holier than thou, so-called 'christian' any day. And, Randy, as usual, the fact that you actually believe the rhetoric of the Foxies and the right, going so far to believe that ANYONE in Congress is a commie, continues to show your ignorance of truth.
DC:
Then vote for a commie. No one really gives a shyt.
Your on here calling people ignorant; that little rant of yours was fairly ignorant within itself.
You listen to rhetoric from the left so what is the difference besides it comes from the other side.
Hey ahole randy Webb has more patriotism in his little finger that you. He's one of the few in congress who didn't try to get his kid out of going to Iraq. By the way Webb has fought for this country in Nam. How come you right wing nut jobs always trash the vets of this country.
AKRandy: You just earned a flag...under the heading of inflamatory.
Hey "IntheMiddle" - you're reply was ignorant as well.... assuming that someone is a communist just because they are a Democrat as you and that other mental conservative Randy suggests is about as ignorant as you can get. Why don't you slither back over to FOX Noise, you could probably contribute to the hysteria over there.
"The hypocrisy of the liberals and Dems..."???
I think you have your parties mixed up, Baker.
Old dogs need to go.............unfortunately we will lose some sensible good people.
Totally agree!
Like rats on a sinking ship....
Being from Tucson, a place where you can get anything you want...day after tomorrow , from Phoenix, I would spekulate that you know more than anyone else here about "Sinking Ships" deserving of abandonment....
Perhaps your man IDOL Jim Kolbe influenced your response, he has lots of experience shaping your mens minds like yours!
Fids - read your post three times...I still have no clue as to what you are trying to say.
AKRandy: That "Commie" fought for your right to smear his good name. Care to tell us why Webb, a former Republican (who served in Reagan's administration) and soldier, is a "Commie"? Do you have ANY evidence to support this? No, you don't. So why not start using your BRAIN instead of standard talking points from Faux Noise, Beck, and Limbaugh, and explain exactly why you don't like Webb? And can you possibly use something other than "he's a Dem" for your answer? Or can you even do this? I seriously doubt it, which should show to ALL that you're against Webb's party, rather than anything he's actually done.
BYE-GOOD BYE Happy days are here again
Welcome Back Senator Allen
We have missed you in the Senate.
I just find it so hard to believe Sarah Palin has so many screen names. I mean there just can't be that much ignorance out there. All these imbecilic and thoughtless posts have to be her?
Are these posts imbecilic and thoughtless because they don't agree with you? Who made you in charge of all things intelligent? This must be some more of the liberal civility.
No Ray, Robert has been post this kind of stuff for awhile now. Allen is a typical Southern GOP Candidate. They must hold their nose in northern Virginia when they vote for this guy.
devie
You are right.
When something needs to be said to get the truth on the record, I am more thn happy to post that info.
Thanks for noticing
Devie, you nailed it on the head. Allen is a career politician who needs another 6 years to pad his bank account. Virginia has fared quite well under the sensible Democratic Administrations in the recent decade and his idiocy is neither desired or required. Having met and followed Jim Webb's career throughout the years, I think he would be a great presidential candidate. He has the centrist and common sense approach to most things that Americans care about and regardless of what that moron said above, he and his family have served in the Armed Forces in Combat when so many others have done their best to avoid it. At no point did he use his considerable clout to shield his son from serving in harms way and that speaks volumes of his character. Along with that, he had to restrained at his indoctrination meeting with George W at the WH, as he reared back to punch him out. Seems like a winner to me, sign him up and I would vote for him over Obama in a heartbeat.
Robert in Ohio, so you say you really like racist bigots like Allen? Pitiful.
I have no reason to believe that he is a racist, but since you said it, it must be true
@Robert
You have no reason to believe he is a racist....but you are from Ohio so you don't even understand the concept unless you've lived in the south. Mr. Allen liked to keep his rebel flag flying in his office...just so no one would misunderstand where he stood. I believe there was even talk about a noose hanging on the wall, too, but that may be myth. The reason he lost (he is very popular in this red-neck state because his daddy coached the Redskins) is because he couldn't even act like he wasn't bigoted...live on camera he called an obvious minority "Macaca"...who does that in this day and age? I guess those same jerks who lie to your face and say it isn't about racism but in closed circles can't keep their mouths shut about the "n-word in the Whitehouse". Don't bother calling me names or disparaging me because I played the race card...I'm white and I've heard it over and over from my next door neighbor to my "Christian" friends. Quite frankly, I am so over the same tired crap from the opposition. Instead of spouting out the same bs talking points you hear the rightwing talkshow idiots use, educate yourselves.....there are honest differences in opinions as to how to fix this country and going back 50 years is not an option.
Personally, I thank Jim Webb for the service he has given the ppl of Virginia. He has been a responsive and positive worker for us and particularly for the military. I realize most of the country has forgotten that we are in a war, but not the ppl of Virginia because of the heavy military presence in the state. We are much poorer now that he has chosen to pursue a civilian life.
Once again Michelle you have no basis for what you say---why must the left be so hateful?
Chris, what are you reading? Va. is now far better off with a new governor. Kaine while he was gov. left the state in a mess.
I like how people who don't even live in this state think they have any clue about our politics. I can't wait to vote for Kaine or Periello. Either would be an improvement over Webb.
AND...it would be great if Rick Boucher ran.
Nice how could this guy be George Allen Sr.'s son? His father must be rolling in his grave!
Commie? Seriously?!? You're either making a very bad joke, or you're incredibly uninformed. Senator Webb is a highly decorated Vietnam War combat veteran. He was also an active Republican for most of his life. During his four years with the Reagan administration, Webb served as the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, then as Secretary of the Navy. When he saw the incompetency of George W. and his blatant misuse of power and military resources, Webb rightfully switched parties and ran for his Senate seat determined to do something about it. The guy wasn't shy about discussing his reasons for switching political parties or his goals as a senator. Frankly, I'm sorry to see him go. The guy smelled a rat in the White House, recognized the ugly, un-American handwriting on the walls of Capitol Hill, and had the cojones to do something about it. Commies? George W. and his cronies, perhaps. But Senator Webb? I think not.
Conservatives will trash ANY Vet who thinks with their own brain. Look what they did to Max Cleland...and to John McCain...spreading rumors about " his mixed race baby".
The Conservative's of this country, especially the Neo Con's like Reagan, Sarah, Bush & Cheney are comprised of CHICKEN-HAWKS...never a second in combat.
The whole movement is rife with the uneducated, insensitive, & morally lost progeny of the greedy rich.
As a whole they are an intellectual disgrace & embarrassment to our country.
25 tears after the last Communist gave up on a failed system, Conservatives still shutter under the covers at night worrying that they are coming to get them.......they are unable to let themselves enjoy anything this country has to offer except FOX Newz & the smug feeling they get when their stupidity derails progress.
Hey Gay Christian... What's your point?
Benedict Arnold was a highly decorated GENERAL in the Revolutionary Army... That did not stop him!
SOTB, my point was quite clear - Webb isn't a Communist. Nowhere even close. And to attempt to throw such a label at him is just plain stupid, not to mention ridiculously disrespectful. Making comparisons between Benedict Arnold and Senator Webb is equally stupid - Webb hasn't sold this country out to the British or anyone else, for that matter. If you must throw mud, at least have the decency to direct it at someone who deserves it.
Gay Christian He then voted in lock step with the party for HCR like all the rest of the Democrats!
You know, the United States would be so much better off if everyone spent more time actually learning the facts of our political system and those who participate in it and less time exchanging mindless propaganda.
Not all of the Democrats voted for health care reform; the final bill that was signed into law was watered down by so many intractable politicians in bed with insurance special interest groups on both sides of the aisle. And if you actually bother to read Webb's voting record, you'll find he has not always voted the party line, unlike other members of Congress. Webb is completing his first term in office as a senator (so he isn't "just one more incumbent...with no chance at reelection" as you put it), and I think many Virginians would tell you - myself included - that they would be happy to vote for him again.
@Duane
Maybe that's because his constituents WANTED him to. I WANT HCR...actually, I want national health insurance, put the insurance companies out of business, but since the money controls the law, I don't see that happening. Why is it so difficult for you right wingers to understand that OVER 53% of the population voted for Obama and we ARE AMERICANS. This is OUR COUNTRY TOO!!!! Not every democrat is a non-working, lazy, communist, socialist, fascist, uneducated, pick-your-favorite-ugliness. This progressive is a college-educated, medical professional grandmother who pays an exorbitant amount in taxes and isn't bitching about it all the time.
Mister Fids---you have no idea what conservatives want, I can see by what you wrote it mostly talking points from either Ed Schulz or Chris Matthews---neither of which have a clue as to what it will take to get this country back on it's feet---your side still continues the hateful rhetoric you claim to despise--only questions is---why?
Has anyone considered that Webb might be fed up with Washington B.S.? And even though I lean left, I believe B.S. comes from both sides in such great measure of late, that decent people are leaving the office, from both parties. People who won't compromise on their principles don't belong in the hallowed halls of Congress. When good conservatives are under primary attack from hyped up right wingers, the world is a sadder place. The only thing we have in common is reducing this deficit. Otherwise, you said "no compromise." There's nothing else to talk about.
What's your point?
Benedict Arnold was a highly decorated GENERAL in the Revolutionary Army... That did not stop him!
I don't belong to either party, and critically evaluate each member of Congress on their conduct and conduct alone. It's a painful process, as most don't have the qualifications to run a Girl Scout cookie stand. And all I can say about this guy is thank God he's on the way out. Complete and total loon. He's the one I'd be afraid of showing up to work one day with an automatic rifle.
I always enjoyed his songs like,"Up, Up And Away" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix". Plus, his invention of the Webb Cam as well as the World Wide Webb. Very talented.
Sickofthebickering, What the hell does that have to do with anything? We are saying that he has served his nation in combat and in the political realm. His son has served as well with distinction. Those two things are more than most any Americans who claim to be patriots are willing to do. When do you think we'll see a Palin, Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, Gingrich, Boehner, or McConnell child serve in the Armed Forces? The answer is never, as they are too busy selling the wars abroad and forcing others to fight for their misguided and greedy desires. Besides, without them, who will fill the ranks of all those failed reality TV shows in the near future?
Get a clue about our conversation and then feel free to repost with something sensible.
Where have you been? Palin's son Track served in the 1-1 Bravo Company, 52nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and was deployed to Iraq. You should know what you are talking about before you post.
CWO, I admit my error and omission then. I guess I must have missed that during my deployments over the last few years. I still stand by the intent of my statements regarding the group above. Rather than seeking common sense approaches to things, they continue to demonize others and certainly have no problem cashing in on their new found celebrity while talking down to the rest of the middle class who struggles with the messes that they instigate and leave for others to clean up.
Chris, might want to check your facts. Palin's son served in Iraq. Beck and Hannity's children are quite small. Rush doesn't have kids. I don't know about Boehner and McConnell. But, if you want to go there, there's a lot of children of Dems we could question as to why they're not serving in the military. But, I will give you this, I honor the service of Webb and son as well as the service of ANY other person.
@Chris
Thank you for your service! I understand and completely agree with your comments...both of my sons serve this country and I am so proud of them, but it galls me to see the rest of the country conveniently forget about those who are serving multiple deployments . Hope you are doing great!!!!
Didn't Track Palin sign up for military service as a condition of some legal trouble in Alaska?
I do believe that Track Palin signed up to avoid jail.
An odd example of Patriotism.
Chris, hate to break the news to ya, but that issue isn't only with the Republicans. I vaguely remember having a cigar smoking draft dodger for president once......
So that makes it ok then? According to you he was married to a lesbian, and the Republicans screwed around so why waste $40 million investigating what you yourselves do?
Didn't say it was OK. I was meerly pointing out that it isn't just the R's that do stoopid stuff, the D's do it to. Republican politicians are no more moral than the Democrats. Professional politicians are all thieves, regardless of party. I would suggest you grow a thicker skin Paul
I suggest you go teabag yourself.
That tolerance that liberals always preach about is showing through loud and clear.....
Just one more incumbent who sees the writing on the wall. No chance at reelection after the last 2 yrs of Putting the party over the will of the voters.
DUANE, which voter is that? Last time I checked, most of the American voters were interested in the economy and jobs. The New Republican regime has done everything they could to avoid those discussions and have waged the war against health care to ensure that the BIg Healthcare Insurers get their moneys worth for the votes that they bought in November. The only thing the Republicans wanted to get passed was their continued tax handouts for the richest Americans, regardless of the cost to the rest of the nation.
The last thing that most politicians care about in D.C. and this includes 99% of the right side is the middle class and what struggles we face everyday. The other choice for Senate is George Allen, who is simply a trust fund baby, career politician who desperately needs to feel important and bilk the citizens of VA out of more of their hard earned dollars.
THe HCR is a boon for big health care! Obama, Pelosi, and Reid cared very little about Jobs during the last two years. They instead chose to push their liberal agenda. The Republican have been in control of Congress for a few weeks. THey have not had had time to effect these things.
That is because the ObameCare is one of the biggest job killers!!! Too bad you lack some intelligence and just believe what the newspapers and TV (CBS, NBC & ABC) news people say. What did Obame the last 2 years and the Dems the last 4 years (Yes, they controlled both houses of COngress under Bush) do to creat jobs? NOTHING! Just do job killers.
The real job-killers are two unfunded wars and a huge tax cut to the wealthy. How quickly you forget that this recession was well underway before Bush ever left office. The first stimulus was passed on Bush's watch and the last 2 years we have been trying to not have a depression. Ask all those business ppl who got the huge tax cuts why there are no jobs. Ask the businesses sitting on trillions of dollars why they don't expand. Ask those businesses that have sent all their jobs overseas so they can pay a few dollars a day on labor and have no responsibility to them or the earth where the jobs are. The tax cut was supposed to help rich ppl make more jobs, right? SO WHERE ARE THE JOBS? IT"S BEEN 10 YEARS!
Sorry, Duane, but Republicans held the House, the Senate, AND the White house for the better part of a decade, and they didn't make ANY real effort to reform healthcare in this country. But you want to blame the Democrats for trying? That just doesn't add up.
BTW, there is no such thing as "Obamacare." That is nothing but propaganda slang created by right-wing media and adopted by right-wing politicians in a vain attempt to score some cheap partisan points. We have a choice in this country - Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike: we either steel ourselves for the grueling task of taking a drastically different approach to real healthcare, or we will one day wake up without an affordable healthcare system of any kind. Our current for-profit system that makes billions for the industry is just as unsustainable as housing, credit, and all the other industry bubbles that have popped over the years. Let's just pray the better angels of our nature prevail on this matter before it's too late.
Gay Christian---your statement is a little misleading---Republicans didn't control that much---but the reason they got voted out in 2006 is exactly what you wrote---they didn't do anything---spent like a Dem, so we voted for anyone but a Republican in 2006 & 2008---I hope they finally got the message--and your comment about Obamacare--oh please---left-wingers have a ton of slang for the other side--and besides the Democrats didn't try to fix anything--they are only paying back their donors.
Rightiskind, please re-read my comment. I said the Republicans HELD the House, the Senate, and the White House. I never said they controlled anything. I think it's fairly safe to say that most every aspect of our country was quite out of control during the W. years, and even earlier.
Our political stereotypes are out of date; Republicans have proven they can outspend Democrats; even worse, they can insist on blatantly irresponsible tax cuts for enormously wealthy individuals and subsidies for corporations who have made record profits year after year. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats have proven they can be as compromising and unethical as their Republican counterparts, leaving average Americans to fend for ourselves as best we can. Conservative or liberal, progressive or neo-con, centrist, tea partyist, whatever you want to call people - nearly every one will vote according to the will (or more accurately, the pocketbook) of lobbyists. Rhetoric and slang don't matter; all too often, money and lust for power seem to be what counts at the end of the day when it's time to vote in this age. It's refreshing when somebody occasionally gets in and bucks the system by proposing ideas that might actually be good for the country rather than good for the politician / political backer in question.
Gary,
As for Obamacare... Presidents love to have things named after them - right? Ships, airports, space centers, and probably other stuff.
Obamacare is the perfect name for the law and I would bet anything that President Obama loves it that a law is named after him and while he is still in office. Come on, it can't get much better than that.
I would even bet that before he falls asleep the thought runs through his mind that the law, no matter what happens to it, it will always be known as Obamacare (just like Sean Connery will always be known as James Bond).
Not when it gets defunded. btw, Bush 43 inherited Clintons recession soon to be followed by 9/11. Even though this went against his thought, he pushed TARP, which by the way is now turning a profit for taxpayers.
Yes, Robert, we have all missed the man who had a hangman's noose in his office (lynching, anyone?), spittoons strategically located throughout the governor's mansion, and the word being spread by his own sister that he was abusive (put-downs, unwanted rough-housing, that sort of thing) to her when they were children. Oh, and the "macaca" thing? Just a slip of the long-suppressed racial tendencies that just happened to come out at the wrong (politically) moment in his campaign? Yeah, we really need another racist, tobacco-spitting, woman-abusing, noose-threatening macho male figure in the United States Senate. Just like we need Mubarak to continue to lead the Egyptian people...
Thanks for quoting such a rag as this as your "proof". Why does someone from Illinois (the same state that a week ago was telling judges to stay out of Illinois politics) feel impelled to tell the people of Virginia whom they should vote for.....Oh that's right, the new seat of American politics is Chicago, forgive me while I bow down.
Like the others before him - especially in the house - he was used by the far left and does not want to be humiliated in the election.
Too bad.
Lesson learned, follow the will of the people not the will of the Reids and Pelosis of the world.
Really - you quote the Free Republic rag as your proof!! Another dunce from Illinois who just last week was saying "everyone needs to stay out of Illinois politics and let the people of Illinois decide" today trying to compel the people of Virginia on who should be elected in their state.....OOPS, forgive me, I forgot the seat of Power in American politics has shifted to Chicago.....allow me to bow down.
This hostile policital discourse is why our country can't do anything to better itself. Let's just continue to argue with each other as opposed to ever see the good in the other side's intention. If more citizens took Webb's approach and realized that it's not always one party or the other, it's not black and white, it's not "I'm left" or "I'm right", and actually started being honest with ourselves instead of clinging to ONE ideal, we might actually get somewhere. We're in a stalemate. No one is listenting to anyone but themselves or those that agree with them. And THAT's what makes me scared for our country.
Actually the left is more to blame than the right---just look at how they conduct themselves---anyone on the left when cornered with an actual question they need to answer just continue with the same old tired talking points--I hope the Tea Party will help keep everyone on track---it's clear be it Dem or Repub they can't do it.