Maybe national Dems are looking forward to a Jim Webb upset over George Allen in the fall. (The conventional wisdom predicts a Webb victory over Harris Miller, his Democratic opponent, in the primary next month.)
One very active Democrat friend, a Dean supporter who is working on a liberal Senate campaign this year, said this week in an email, “George Allen’s got a fight on his hands” if Webb gets the nomination.
After seeing Webb in action at Shad Planking, I have my doubts. He hung back drinking with his small cadre of supporters. In any race, a good candidate mixes with the crowd — even folks from the other party. George Allen has mastered that skill. Without it, I would predict that Webb lacks the temperament to win.
Webb confirmed that last night in a taped debate against Harris Miller. Both men descended into bitter-shouting-match territory just 10 minutes into the debate. At an impromptu press conference afterward, Webb told Miller to “shut your mouth.”
If John McCain can win with a hot head, maybe Webb can too. But then again, Jim Webb isn’t John McCain.
