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Wednesday, January 04, 2006

VA-Sen: Harris Miller (D) in Against Allen

Posted by DavidNYC

As mentioned yesterday, via Raising Kaine. From WTOP:

The year is only three days old, but already the political season is heating up in Virginia. WTOP Radio has learned Harris Miller will challenge Republican incumbent George Allen in November.

Miller, an activist in Fairfax County, will formally announce his candidacy next week. He describes himself as "a shorter, and poorer version of [Governor] Mark Warner."

The 54-year-old McLean resident is currently the President of the Information Technology Association of America. He wants to see more done by the Federal government.

I'm sure Mark Warner really appreciates the mention of his wealth (a topic, like George Bush and his Connecticut roots, he assiduously avoids). Miller apparently does have money, though, and his biggest virtue appears to be his willingness to self-fund. Anyhow, I wish Miller the best, though I'd still like to see Webb jump into the race.

Posted at 10:43 PM in 2006 Elections - Senate, Virginia | Technorati

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Comments

I like it, so far. With the head of the ITAA running for national office, and the federal government poised, as it is, to put billions into IT infrastructure pretty soon, Warner and Miller could court a surprising portion on the growth-oriented business types -- who, in Virginia, have little particular loyalty to the GOP.

This is the less-grassroots future of progressivism -- courting businessmen who aren't interested in buying politicians, and rather want smart, forward-looking pragmatic governance, a strong dollar, and a stable economy.

As much as I wish my state were the "power to the little guy," "tons of volunteers winning an election without much money," version of the revitalized democratic movement, but this kind of new democrat has to be born somewhere, and Virginia is the perfect place to do it. Besides, this breed of new Democrat will have an easier time raising money, and Warner's setting his sights pretty high in 2008.

Think: Warner's fair, but business-friendly government could combine with someone the netroots/grassroots like (Dean or Feingold -- who doesn't like Feingold? he's a Jewish Senator, so VP is the best we can hope for, but I love Feingold!) and come out with a Democratic landslide in 2008.

Anyway, I need more on Webb before I can get excited. It may be silly of me, but "he isn't a republican anymore" doesn't make me throw my panties on stage quite yet.

Posted by: mikesnoo at January 5, 2006 03:50 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

"He's a Jewish Senator, so VP is the best we can hope for." WTF???? I hope we're still not at the point of thinking only white Christian men should be encouraged to run for President.

Posted by: IndianaProgressive at January 5, 2006 09:11 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I still don't think this guy will win Virginia. Webb is (on paper) the best chance we have to take Allen out. I personally don't get the appeal of a wannabe cowboy from California but a lot of Virginia voters do.

Posted by: UVA08 at January 5, 2006 09:32 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

IndianaProgressive, great deal of media attention is always lavished on Minnesota and Wisconsin due to our historical abundance of Jewish Senators despite our microscopic Jewish populations. Every time Wellstone, Coleman, Feingold or Kohl is elected, we're told that very few places in America would be open-minded enough to elect Jews. I can't imagine people would be so frivolous, but it's hard to know how the same "values voters" who voted against Kerry because they didn't like his wife would view a Jewish candidate who they clearly could not "connect with culturally". I think Feingold has a bigger liability than his religion....he's twice divorced. I think voters might be willing to forgive one divorce, but probably not two.

On the other hand, I think the GOP if absolutely out of their mind if they think UNMARRIED FEMALE candidate Condoleeza Rice would be electable in a nation for of culturally-obsessed values voters.

Posted by: Mark at January 5, 2006 10:50 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment