The Senator is the first and only african american to sit on finace(the most power committee in the GA PERIOD!
Lambert has produced for his district and mainly african – americans.
2million brown v board education fund
2 million for Marvin Anderson & Jefferey Cox who were wrongfully jailed and no other legislator did that….
Got funding for the single mothers undergraduate program at St. Pauls University.
Passed legislation to add more minority content to SOLs.
and so much more. We must not get caught up in the emotions of an endorsement and focus on economic parity for the 9th district and for minorities across the state.
The bottom line is the informed voters in the district see there is alot more at stake than an endorsement. Senator Lambert has the votes and the polls show the endoresment has lost alot of steam; so lets focus on getting back the majority in the GA and taking back our future.

Mosquito – no problem.

JMUDuke – As far as I have been able to determine, the situation in the black community has not changed. The Allen campaign is courting the black vote. At the McCain rally held here in Norfolk, the first people on stage were four black ministers. Those same 4 recently wrote a letter to the editor on Allen’s behalf.

The real issue here relates to voter turnout. As I understand it, most of the black vote in the state falls in the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts, both of which have incumbents running unopposed. Therefore, there is no incentive for the black vote to turn out. The need to connect with the black community is, I think, critical to the success of the campaign.

You are correct…I am wrong on this one.

Sorry for the error.

Buzz…Buzz…Mosquito

I remember well your stance on the lack of black turnout in the Democratic primary, and I was wondering if you think the Webb campaign (or Allen for that matter) have made any progress in courting that vote since then? I was at Sorensen to hear you eloquently describe your take on the issue (which as at odds with Professor Hollsworth’s position if I remember correctly). It’s early yet, but it seems that these conditions haven’t changed much.

I think you have me mixed up with Virginian. I said no such thing.

I truly appreciate your willingness to not frament the Dem party…it’s the last thing they need.

I am a strong supporter of Jim Webb and it is because I believe he does have integrity that he will be able to be held accountable.

I would not support Jim Webb if I believed he would promote racist policies or legislation against minorities.

I’m surprised by your statements that he hasn’t said anything substantive on the issues.

Off the top of my head I can say he has come out strongly for Net Neutrality and against the marriage amendment (federal and state).

How is this being fuzzy?

“The legislators also criticized George Allen’s history of opposition to diversity programs and record of insensitivity to racial issues. As Governor of Virginia, Allen oversaw a cutback in diversity programs at VDOT and tried to narrow such programs at state colleges and universities.”

“Six African American legislators, including Senator Henry Marsh, Senator Benjamin Lambert, and Delegate Lionel Spruill, today announced their endorsement of Harris Miller for U.S. Senate. The legislators also expressed deep concerns about statements made by Miller’s primary opponent, James Webb, and his general election opponent, George Allen, regarding programs promoting diversity in state higher education and government.”

Have faith though, my search to learn where Webb stands on the issues continues. I’ll watch both debates Sunday/Monday and hopefully will learn something. I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I find out where the guy stands on at least one issue of substance. I’ll take an energy policy, a transportation policy, an education policy, something. Just give me one.

Since you’re a neighbor in Spotsylvania, let me educate you about Jim Webb. He’s not a pandering politician. He’s not a careerist politician. We leave that to George Allen who is adept at telling people what they want to hear so he can get what he wants…. Career advancement.

Jim Webb has nothing to be apologetic for. If you want to know his position on anything, he’ll tell you straight up. He’s certainly not going to ply you with money because politically he shuns the Republican practices of careerism and cronyism …. there’s no financial gain to be made off of Webb. There is no great political gain to be made off of Webb, either. He’ll be in office doing what he thinks is right and best for the common man. Period.

Unfortunately careerist politicians have nothing to gain in supporting a Webb candidacy. However the constituents have everything to gain from a man who is not bought … who has not sold out … who’s ideals are not compromised.

This story may appear to have racial overtones or significance …. but the real story here is …. what kind of politicians do we want representing us? Certainly not careerist (and when he’s not thinking straight – bullying racist) George Allen.

This political contest will come down to a choice between Integrity personified by Jim Webb …. and political expediency personified by George Allen and his new best friend Benny Lambert.

I’ll choose Integrity ever time.

George Allen is the face of the current Republican party – interchangable with George Bush ….. it is one of disgrace. Benny Lambert should have each of their pictures on his wall … stradling his mirror.

If not “moral outrage”, then what motivated Senator Lambert to do what he did?

Certainly he realizes the implications of breaking ranks with fellow Democrats? Doug Wilder certainly has a habit of doing this time and time again if only to prove a point.

Do you think Lambert was sending a message that African-American voters are not to be taken for granted? What’s the calculus then if he isn’t trying to send a message to Webb?

My brother in Richmond says it’s all the buzz, a very serious endorsement. Webb didn’t do well in Richmond…

Thanks for some of your insight. I understand that you must refrain from going further. However, when this election is over, I hope that you may feel comfortable about addressing this issue.

If Jim Webb wins, all Dem bloggers should know what areas of weekness our new Senator has, and ensure that we hold him accountable as our new Democratic official in the Senate.

If Allen wins, all Dem bloggers should know what really happened to ensure this divide never happens again. We cannot afford to remain fractured.

The black leadership has not been too happy with Webb. Call it pandering if you like, but minority outreach has been sorely lacking in the Webb campaign. I wish I could tell the private conversations that I have had with various black elected officials over the last few months about this but I can’t. You’d be surprised at how upset they are. I took it upon myself to talk to Webb about it at a local fundraiser.

I don’t know if Lambert has the reach beyond his area for this statement to matter, but you can expect that the MSM will pick this up and run with it., mainly because Allen is going to use it at every opportunity.

Black voters are not monolithic, nor do they simply vote the way somebody tells them to. The real effect of this will be if others step in and do likewise. Then the reach of this thing will grow.

I just think Lambert was wrong. No way this was “moral outrage,” Shaun – not even close. I think he has a greater responsibility – to those who elected him and to those who also call themselves Democrats. I’m disappointed that he did this.

Senator Lambert has lost his damn mind. I would bet the farm that he’ll be in the nursing home before long. This makes about as much sense as a chicken endorsing Colonel Sanders.

From what I’m reading here, I can’t fault African Americans for not supporting Webb. He simply hasn’t done the outreach, and support is not a given.

An endorsement of Allen is another thing though! My goodness…

Now I won’t be so bold as to suggest the first, but given Webb’s shoddy treatment of minorities, his willingness to use race as a tool to divide the electorate, and Allen’s demonstrated sponsorship of African-American colleges and universities in Virginia — it certainly speaks to the second.

This wasn’t pandering; Webb’s tactics are backfiring and it’s high time he realize it before it turns into a real problem.

My US$0.02 anyhow.

He is the most senior Senate member of the Legislative Black Caucus. Only three Democrats have been in the Senate longer than Lambert. They’re all white.