Edds on Democratic Primary

Local, Politics, Virginia 1 Minute

Margaret Edds is one of my favorite writers. She seems to just “get it.” In today’s editorial, which appears in the Pilot, she points out the apparent disconnect between national Democrats and Virginia Democrats in whom they support for the nomination – Harris Miller or Jim Webb – to run against George Allen.

She makes a critical point about the endorsements: those supporting Miller can actually vote for him while those supporting Webb cannot. In a low-turnout primary, this may very well work to the advantage of Miller.

Here in the blogsphere, the Webb supporters are many while the Miller supporters are few. (Just look at the numbers on the poll in the sidebar to the right.) I’m not sure that the same is true for the non-plugged-in D’s. Here in Norfolk, I’m not seeing much of a presence for Webb. Miller has appeared before the Norfolk City Democratic Committee and has sent a representative when he couldn’t come. Webb has done neither of these things. That’s getting to the base of the party, the influencers who will share the experience with their friends and neighbors. And then there’s that Pilot editorial on Miller. Say what you will about the Pilot – and I’ve said plenty – but it is the major newspaper in Southside Hampton Roads and influences a lot of people. (I haven’t seen anything about this race in the New Journal and Guide.)

In order to run against Allen, you first have to win the primary. Miller is demonstrating that he understands this and is working the Democratic base. If Webb is truly the best candidate, then he needs to follow the same path.

UPDATE: Take a look at this article from last year’s primary.

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15 thoughts on “Edds on Democratic Primary”

  2. NLS: I’m not sure I follow. Are you saying that the primary this year is not comparable to that of last year? Or that Webb doesn’t have to try to win the party faithful in order to win the primary?

  3. I don’t think it is comparable. Chap didn’t lose because of ideology, he lost because he ran a poor campaign. He raised almost twice what anyone running against him raised in the primary- and his staff mismanaged those resources so badly that he had to put a 2nd mortgage on his home. That’s why I think it is hard to take any real lessons from that campaign.

  4. I hear you. But doesn’t Webb either have to appeal to the party faithful or turn out voters who don’t normally participate in the primary in order to win?

  5. I’d agree if it was a caucus or convention, but frankly the primary turnout is so much greater than party committee reach that Webb doesn’t need to kiss rear end on the Democratic Committees. 2006 is about Iraq, Iraq, and Iraq, especially in the primary, that’s why Webb will win by around a 2-1 margin.

  6. Agreed on kissing up to the committees. But how does he get his message out, if not thru the party faithful? It’s not like he has a war chest that he’s going to use for radio & TV. (Or maybe after his trip to California, he does have a war chest 🙂 )

  9. Of course, I’d like to see more press coverage. (I’m never satisfied with the adequacy of coverage.)

    Come on down! It’s going to be a great party 😉

  10. Viv,
    If I say I want to come to your party, will you let me?

    Also, Harris Miller was very popular at the event I attended yesterday. He may even get a few votes.

  13. Chap lost because of three votes, his vote against Warner’s budget, his anti-abortion vote and his vote to override Warner’s pocket veto of the gay marriage ban. Change those 3 votes and he would be LG today.

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