Webbs decision to not run in 2012 is no slam dunk for the rethugs according to PPP

[bigdarryl]

But of coarse the media would have us think the rethugs got this seat wrapped up.Allen isn't that popular in VA.http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/02/webb-decisions-wash.html

[abelenkpe]

1. Northern VA is very blue

It's the rest of the state dems need to work on.

[Arkana]

2. I think Kaine should consider a run.

It would do two things: Give us a shot at holding the seat, since he was a fairly popular governor, and it would placate others in the party who scream constantly for his ouster.

[ruggerson]

5. I could never vote for the man

so it's a good thing I don't live in VA.

[karynnj]

9. I wonder if that's really true

In 2007, I was adamant that there was nothing that could have made me vote for Hillary. My view of the type of person she was - by her willingness to back up the RW lie that Kerry said anything bad about the troops (after Kerry in 1992 had defended her husband's patriotism). I realized that when Bush vetoed the Children's Health bill - that any Democrat would sign - why in general elections - I would always vote the party.

Even at the Senate level - and on gay rights, are we better off with Reid or McConnell as Majority leader? That is an important vote - and even as bad as he is on gay rights, his choice of Majority leader if it determines it works in your favor - and he is no worse than Allen even on that.

[Jennicut]

10. I am not that fond of him but per PPP he would poll better then Webb against Allen

if Allen does decide to run again.

[Ter]

3. Allen will never win the nomination

A Tea Bagger will.

[craigmatic]

4. I hate a quitter. He could've had another run and won. It would've been better if he ran and lost

than to just quit. Kaine is our best hope to win the seat again.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. How is he a quitter?

He's going to serve out the full term that the people of Virginia elected him to. Deciding that you're tired of the Senate and choosing not to run for a second term doesn't make one a quitter. Furthermore, he decided this early enough in the cycle that it's hard to believe that he chose not to run because he thought he couldn't win. He's also giving plenty of notice for another Democrat to get the race.

Jim Webb won that seat for the Democrats when there really were no other viable Dem candidates five years ago. The Dems' bench is deeper in Virginia now and the state is more blue than it used to be. We can hold this seat without Webb.

[RichGirl]

8. He never wanted to run...

...he was recruited. He is totally not a politician. One of his friends said of him..."his teeth would fall out of his head before he told a lie". Sadly, politics today make it almost impossible to be honest. I'm sure he has struggled everyday in office.

Two examples:

During his campaign he was on Hardball. Matthews asked him...in a presidential primary, who would he support Mark Warner or Hillary Clinton. That's a no-brainer in Virginia...democrats LOVE Mark Warner and don't particularily like Hillary. Webb answered "I'm undecided." Matthews recongized that he'd made a big blunder so he asked him again...giving him a chance to take it back. He said "I'm still undecided."

Again during the campaign...after the macaca incident, a lot of people came out about Allen using the "N" word. They cornered Webb and asked him about it. He said something to the effect that you can't have lived in Virginia for 20 years without ever using that word. He actually defended Allen!!!

[RichGirl]

7. Oddly...

Although there are extreme right-wing and left-wing, Virginia in general is not very partisan. For many years now, when we have a democratic president, we have a republican governor, and vice versa.

The fact that we got more republicans in the last election, tells me it will even out in the next election with a democratic senator.

Back in 2000, when I was still new to Virginia, one of my neighbors was working as hard for Gore as I was. After the election she mentioned that she voted for Allen for senator. I said "WHAT!!!!?????" They tend to vote for the man/woman not the party. Many don't like to take sides.

As to a tea bagger...I would gladly bet my savings that it wouldn't happen. Too extreme.

[WI_DEM]

11. First with Obama on the ticket in '12 black turnout will be much higher than in '10

and that will make a big difference in a state like Virginia. Secondly, if somebody like Kaine runs, who was a fairly popular governor, then Dems have a good shot at winning.

[RichGirl]

12. Kaine would win hands down.

Virginia democrats are not like national democrats. They tend to be centrist.