Today, in a speech to the Virginia Building and Construction Trades Council Summer Convention in Virginia Beach, Jim Webb clearly points out how the failures of Katrina coincide with the failure in Iraq and other Bush administration "endeavors". This is an excellent speech and shows just why Jim Webb would make a first rate Senator for Virginia and for this country. Please read and distribute widely!

(Virginia Beach, VA) - Today, on the first anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, Democratic Senate candidate from Virginia Jim Webb equated the failures in response to Hurricane Katrina by the Bush Administration to the same failures in the War in Iraq and pointed out a dangerous pattern of lack of planning, failure of leadership and absence of follow up on behalf of our nation's leaders.

Join Jim Webb as he live blogs tomorrow on Kos at 6 pm ET. He's about to take off on a whirlwind tour of LA, SF and Chicago to drum up support for his bid to defeat Cowboy George. Not that one, the other one--Allen. Conversation tomorrow will likely include his thoughts on the current ME crisis. What I've heard him say in the past is very close to what Wes has been saying-diplomacy is imperative, and we cannot refuse to talk to the major players. Drop by, say hi from Clarkies everywhere! We want to impress upon him that this group is very active and supportive, whether they live in Virgin

An active Webb volunteer received this solicitation from George "Urban Cowboy" Allen today.  Note the "revenge" motive of the Democrats, the "self-funding" ability of his two Democratic opponents (definitely true for Harris Miller, definitely NOT true for Jim Webb), and the "wealthy, liberal Democrats across the country"...Please put out this call to respond to George Allen's begging for dollars letter by a donation to James Webb's campaign at www.WebbforSenate.com and don't forget the .04 Clark designation!

For two days in a row, I've heard Bill Schneider, CNN political pollster/analyst, remark rather forcefully,  that the Democrats should take heed if they want to do well in the upcoming midterms. In both 2002 and 2004, Bush and the Rove machine have made national security THE ISSUE on which Republicans run and win. Democrats keep trying to return to their favorite domestic issues, and they keep losing. It is clear, after Rove's speech to the RNC a couple of days ago, and then reading this morning's article in the WaPo, (Rove's Early Warning by E. J. Dionne Jr.

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/23/AR2006012301261.html?referrer=emailarticle)

From the diaries -- Larry 

It is very difficult for many to understand the qualifications needed for a successful career in our armed forces and to equate them to experience in the society at large. This is especially true of many Democrats—especially those of us who opposed our involvement in Vietnam—some of whom still look on those who serve as warmongers.

With a Democrat/labor background, I’ve been a Democrat all my life. I also served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years and was privileged to work with or for numerous admirals. All of us, officer and enlisted alike, took an oath to The Constitution and agreed to live by strict rules—among which was a restriction on participating in partisan political activity. Small wonder we leave no political trail unless and until we are no longer precluded from doing so by the strictures of law.

From the diaries -- Larry

Some have expressed interest in making GOTV calls to Virginia voters on behalf of the Tim Kaine campaign.  While they don't have the eBlock system in place, the campaign has assured me that if I send them the names, they will be in touch with calling lists. 

Please email me privately at dburro@comcast.net and I'll get you in touch with the right people. Calls are being made in huge numbers to get our voters out on Tuesday and we can use your help!

Thanks for your help.

From the Diaries -- Brent

Six days from today, Virginia voters will go to the polls to elect three major state-wide office holders.  A few members of CCN have made contributions to this blog to keep the election in the forefront since only NJ and Virginia hold elections in this off-year.  Jon Corzine in NJ is not expected to have a problem keeping NJ under Democratic control, but our race in Virginia is much more of a toss up.  We're currently blessed with a popular and effective Democratic governor, Mark Warner.  This gives us tremendous advantage in many aspects of state government, not the least of which is a majority of Democrats on each local electoral board, even in traditional red areas.

I left Virginia today for a few days in Florida.  We boarded the

 shuttle at Dulles to head out to the gate, everyone packed on the bus

 like sardines, when my husband said to me, "Look who's on the bus". 

About 15 feet down the row, leaning against the window side of the

 shuttle and traveling alone, was General Clark.  Needless to say, I

 managed to make my way through the rest of the sardines so I could say

 hello.  I'm not one to disturb the few quiet minutes that he has to

 himself, so I just wanted to introduce myself as a supporter and say