2006 Election Results Thread
 

Looks like the war hero is overtaking the chickenhawk slimebag. :thumbsup:

By BOB LEWIS, Associated Press Writer Tue Oct 31, 6:04 AM ET

VIRGINIA SENATE-POLL

RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Jim Webb is slightly ahead of Republican incumbent Sen. George Allen with a week to go in a key race that could determine control of the Senate, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The poll by Opinion Research Corp. is the first to show Webb with an advantage in the bruising and expensive contest in once reliably Republican Virginia.

Among likely voters, the former Republican was the choice of 50 percent of those surveyed while 46 percent favored Allen and 4 percent were undecided.

Because Webb's edge is equal to the margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, it means the Democrat can be considered slightly ahead.

The result is based on telephone interviews conducted for CNN from Oct. 26-29 among 597 registered Virginia voters who identified themselves as likely to vote.

Among the larger sample of 904 registered voters, the results were about even, with 48 percent of the respondents backing Webb, 46 percent for Allen and 5 percent undecided. Independent Gail Parker also is on the ballot.

While Webb supporters crowed over the results, longtime Allen adviser Christopher J. LaCivita said the poll was skewed because half of it was conducted over the weekend.

"It sure doesn't reflect anything we're seeing," said LaCivita, a national GOP consultant. "Any survey conducted Fridays and Saturdays, everybody knows they're skewed toward Democrats."

The latter two days of the survey, however, reflect two intensive days of news coverage of Allen's claim that selected sexually explicit passages in some of Webb's six gritty novels about war are demeaning to women.

"Virginians are a lot smarter than that, and he insulted their intelligence," said Webb spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd. "It was a baseless attack on Jim that didn't make sense."

On Oct. 23, a statewide survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. showed that 47 percent supported Allen while 43 percent favored Webb. Allen's advantage was also equal to the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061031/...ia_senate_poll

The race is very close, certainly:

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp200.../virginia.html

We can dream .... and the gap IS closing .... but this one is still an outside chance imo. The polls might be a backlash on Allen's ads with axcerpts from Webb's novel.

Webb served in Vietnam .... what did Allen do - deferment or dodger?

What's the difference. Dodging was just what kids who couldn't get deferrments, and who really really didn't want to go to vietnam, did.

Accordign to wikpedia, Allen got a student deferrment.

I'm voting in this race....I still haven't decided on which way to go....I'm leaning toward Webb.

Lets see, you have the option of voting for a bigot and racist or a war veteran. Yeah, that's a real head scratcher!

But he does seem to be a bit of an off the mark veteran ... of course Allen has a log cabin with a confederate flag ... and he's insane. It's sort of a question of which guy is less likely to blow up. I mean: Allen, no doubt he needs to be on an Aryan compound in Idaho, not in the Senate. Webb, he might actually be worse .... I think I'd opt for Webb, and hope.

Keep leaning, GB ... and remember the following:

1) Webb is a former Republican
2) Webb is a Vietnam Vet, and Allen deferred service
3) Allen said "macacca" and is roundly accused of racism
4) Allen's mother is Jewish - which means he is Jewish - BUT:
5) He said "I'm not Jewish, I just ate a ham sandwich."
6) Webb is former Secretary of the Navy
7) Despite a "target-rich environment," Webb has REFUSED to run negative ads.

#7 is not exactly true, Webb and DNC has run some negative ads, and has made some negative comments about Allen. You need to understand Allen has very popular governor in the Commonwealth before he was the Senator and has Warner supporting him in the southern part of Virginia big time. And unfortunately the racist thing- Confederate Flag behind his couch in his log cabin (who the f has log cabin on East Coast) and the noose in his office, haven't really hurt him before in elections.

Webb isn't just any veteran.

He's a former Secretary of the Navy. He served with the Fifth Marine Regiment in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. Some of his books are still on the navy's official reading list.

As if being a veteran automagically makes one a better politician.

It's as relevant as being an attorney.

So what was he supposed to do?

Just sit back and let Allen smear him without responding?

Remember how that worked out for John Kerry?

LABF

I wasn't criticizing him, but BroncoBuff made inaccurate comment. Living in the state, I believe it important to be as truthful as possible. Let Rove lie I rather have folks supporting my candidate tell the truth.

I've made my decision. Webb it is. Amongst many reasons which I will keep to myself....I just don't like the look on his face.

Vote Early And Often!

Well, it was accurate - based on what Chris Matthews said - about 2-3 weeks ago. He wasn't going negative then anyway. I think the DNC might've gone negative since then, but has Webb himself done that?

BTW - excellent curriculum vitae on his military record, LABF .... it should be added that he became Secretary of the Navy under an appointmnet by REAGAN.

Yep, not hard but he has gone negative. It a tough and bitter race. I received a couple taped phone calls for both candidates that are geared to nasty side.

People need to remember until last year Webb was register Republican, and didn't have much a political base in Democrats in state until he won the primary. But Democrats in VA would be consider Republican out west and Fascist in NE ;D

you Dope ........... I never served , but some friends and Family have ...... The Military teaches you so much ...........oh wait........you think Libertarians will save us all ......... I didnt have to call you a dope ......... Most here already know it

It adds to ones qualifications when it comes to making policy sending people to their death in invasions and wars but you would have to actually serve to understand that it seems.

LOL

^5

What about vets who've never been closer to combat that a regular ol' civilian? Does their experience as a veteran really help that much?

All I said was that being a vet does not make one a priori a better politician.

Do you agree or not?

It may or may not but Marine and Army Infantry training does give one a lot more insight into what troops can expect in combat. It also gives you great insight into the thinking of military commanders and the military (ground forces) in general.

Sure it could. Military training teaches people more than just how to kill. Some of life's best lessons are learned while in the military. Teamwork, precision, how to maintain a healthy body and mind, etc...

What about Navy and AF vets? Do they count?

It could.

You sound like a recruitment commercial.

Just to let everyone know, The Channel 9 poll in DC has Webb at 52% Allen at 46% and an independent at 2%