Virginia Tomorrow

When Jim Webb’s op-ed was published in The Wall Street Journal, State Senator Donald McEachin praised Jim Webb for authoring a provocative article that could focus attention on what was needed to provide equal opportunity for all.

Doug Wilder was highly critical of Webb’s position, but most of the state’s prominent Dems- Warner, Kaine, and Scott- were not immediately available for comment.

Four days later, my sense is that McEachin’s position could become an increasingly lonely one in Democratic circles.

On Monday, Salim Khalfani, Executive Director of the Virginia NAACP, penned a scathing letter to Webb in which he noted that the NACCP “vehemently disagrees with your analysis” and asserts that Webb’s position on the “myth of white privilege” is “kith and kin” to Rand Paul.

I doubt that most Democrats will accept Khalfani’s characterization of Webb and or be as pointed in denouncing his perspective.

But I’m not certain that they’ll go too far in defending him either.

An op-ed in The Washington Post on Monday by E.J. Dionne titled “Enough Right Wing Propaganda” helps to explain why.

Dionne argues that the Obama administration and American progressives have been put of the defensive by the “right wing” and have shamelessly conceded far too much .

The mainstream media and the Obama administration must stop cowering before a right wing that has persistently forced its propaganda to be accepted as “news” by convncing traditional journalists that “fairness” requires treating extremist rants as “one side of the story.” And there can be no more shilly-shallying about the fact that racial backlash politics is becoming an important component of the campaign against President Obama and against progressives in this election year.

Dionne’s article doesn’t mention Webb at all, but it expresses the dominant mood among American progressives at the moment: they need to fight back against conservative criticism, not retreat another inch on the critical issues of the day.

“No shilly-shallying about… racial backlash politics.”

Certainly no admission that conservative criticism of diversity programs is on target.

Webb’s stance is essentially 180 degrees off-kilter with how the Democrats are likely to fight this election cycle.

I doubt that this will bother Jim Webb much at all.

He’s comfortable with the maverick role- indeed, he could teach Sarah Palin a few things about going rogue.

But don’t expect to see too many Democrats joining McEachin in a praise chorus.

Tony Lee: Savvy Senator Webb

Tony Lee — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:10:48 +0000

When Jim Webb published an op-ed titled “Diversity and the myth of white privilege” last week in the Wall Street Journal (it should be noted Webb didn’t write the provocative headline that is less nuanced than the arguments he makes in the piece, the Wall Street Journal’s editors did), people took notice. Pieces that are published on a Friday rarely generate buzz, but that rule does not necessarily apply when the topic has to do with race. Some in Virginia wondered if it was a sign that he is not going to run for re-election. Others called it perplexing. And the chattering class said it was “Jim Webb being Jim Webb.”

As Dr. Bob foresaw in his Sunday Scorecard, the issues Webb raised in the piece did not fade away over the weekend. Political columnists wrote their takes on it. Hardball dedicated a segment to the issues Webb raised. On Hardball, in a segment that was in his wheelhouse, Pat Buchanan said Webb was on the “cutting edge” of a new politics of white-identity politics. And this is probably just the beginning of more of such discussions.

When I read Webb’s piece, two things came to mind. First, it struck me as a preemptive shot at a potential George Allen bid to regain his Senate seat (Allen has told reporters that he “perhaps” may challenge Webb). Second, even if it may have been unintentional, it was extremely savvy politics.

Let me explain.

In his piece, Webb opined that “those who came to this country in recent decades from Asia, Latin America and Africa did not suffer discrimination from our government, and in fact have frequently been the beneficiaries of special government programs. The same cannot be said of many hard-working white Americans, including those whose roots in America go back more than 200 years.” He then concludes by writing, “Beyond our continuing obligation to assist those African-Americans still in need, government-directed diversity programs should end. Nondiscrimination laws should be applied equally among all citizens, including those who happen to be white.”

In a hypothetical rematch between Webb and Allen, Allen’s only path to victory would be if white Virginians, particularly from the middle class and lower-income backgrounds (think exurbs like Prince William County and Leesburg and Southside Virginia), turn out in droves for him. This op-ed, in many ways, preemptively tries to prevent “white flight,” so to speak, from Webb to Allen.

Second, this op-ed was nuanced, and very politically savvy, even more so since the column was about race. In a hypothetical Webb v. Allen match-up, I see no ethnic group that this column would repel.

African-American leaders and community members have praised Webb for his work on attempting to reform the nation’s mandatory sentencing laws and focusing on streamlining re-entry programs, issues which unfortunately and disproportionately impact African-American communities.

And Webb’s piece, by stating that government still owes a debt to Black-Americans with roots in this country, does nothing to push away non-immigrant Black voters in places like Hampton Roads and Richmond. He, in essence, takes their side.

Some Asians may not have liked the column, but if there is a single issue that can unite the often difficult to poll “Asian” vote, it is their almost unilateral stance against affirmative action programs. If there is a single issue vote that can unite Asians, it would be against affirmative action and for meritocracy, so Asians aren’t likely going to rail against Webb for writing this column.

Some Hispanic groups may find issue with this piece, but when was the last time you saw a bevy of “Viva Allen!” signs across the Commonwealth?

Webb’s op-ed may anger African immigrants and their sons and daughters, many of whom are concentrated in Northern Virginia, who, as he wrote, benefit from racial preferences at the expense of whites who have been here for far longer, have sturdier roots, and have sacrificed far more blood and treasure for this country. But in a hypothetical Webb vs. Allen rematch in 2012, does anyone realistically believe these African immigrants will pull the lever for a man who popularized the word “macaca?”

In 2012, with President Barack Obama on the ticket, it is safe to assume that Black-Virginians will go to the polls to re-elect Obama and, in so doing, end up voting for Jim Webb. If trends stay the way they are today, Webb will likely get a residual benefit from the sizeable number of minority voters who may come out again in droves to reelect Obama.

That said, the only way Webb would lose to Allen in a hypothetical 2012 match-up is if the white votes swings dramatically for Allen. And with this op-ed, Webb has planted a flag in hardscrabble white America.

Webb, cut from hardscrabble Scots-Irish cloth, believes this (that race-based government programs often have left poor whites behind and have unfairly discriminated against them) to his core.

Some may criticize Webb for penning this column on the heels of the Shirley Sherrod incident that began another national dialogue (or shouting match) on race, but this is smart politics. For him to pen this oped at a time when the country is talking about race, when the white vote is swinging towards the GOP, and when Allen is probably finalizing his decision on whether to challenge Webb, is smart politics and good timing.

Jim Webb ain’t crazy, folks. He’s iconoclastic. But also very savvy.

Tony Lee is a conservative writer. Follow him on twitter: @TheTonyLee

Virginia in a Hurry, 7-27-10

Bob Holsworth — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:07:31 +0000

Virginia NAACP Head Slams Webb Column

115 Ideas from Governor’s Economic Development Commission

McDonnell to Speak to U.S. House Republican Caucus

Lawmakers Worry about Losing ABC Profits

Federal Regulators Say Areva’s Mt. Athos Road Facility Safe

Bolling to Mississippi for Oil Spill Briefing, National Meeting

Cuccinelli Headlines Murray Fundraiser

State Audit Calls for Better Cell Phone Contracts

Bill Would Try to Curb Wrongful Convictions

Campbell County Institutes Outdoor Burning Ban

Fluvanna Names Gena Keller Superintendent

Civil War Land Saved in Culpeper

Warren County Okays New Loitering Penalties

Virginia in a Hurry, 7-26-10

Bob Holsworth — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:54:12 +0000

McDonnell Fears James River Protections Too Strict

Bar Panel Debates Trials for Accused Terrorists

Stolle, Cahill Part Ways

RAM Clinics Serve Thousands in Wise

Lynchburg Hopes Paid Parking Plan Drives Downtown Change

PVCC Financial Aid Requests Skyrocket

Stafford to Look at Agricultural Zoning

Frederick County Officials Vote to Keep Book on Shelves

The Virginia Scorecard, 7-25-10

Bob Holsworth — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:31:51 +0000

1. Webb v. Diversity: The Timing Question

Jim’s Webb’s op-ed in The Wall Street Journal Friday morning calling for an end to diversity programs and attacking the “myth” of white dominance will have everybody talking (for quite some time). In particular, why did Webb pick this moment to recycle a stance he took in 2006 to the effect that he’s opposed to most forms of affirmative action, except those that are limited to African-Americans? Is Webb attempting to initiate a genuine nationwide dialogue on fairness and diversity or is he making a political appeal to the white independents that recent polls indicate are abandoning Obama in significant numbers?

2. Democrats Respond to Webb

Democratic responses to Webb were all over the map. Donald McEachin praised him for courageously initiating a needed discussion about equal opportunity in contemporary America. Doug Wilder criticized the article, noting that Webb himself has been the political beneficiary of the movement and program that enabled African-Americans to have full voting rights in the Commonwealth. And most Democrats were unavailable for comment on Friday, grateful that they’d have the entire weekend to formulate a response to Webb’s bombshell. Maybe I’m wrong, but I can’t possibly see how prominent Virginia Democrats such as Bobby Scott, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine can ultimately endorse Webb’s position.

3. Hard Quotas and Soft Diversity

In addition, I think that further media inquiries will compel Senator Webb to explain just what kind of diversity programs he wants to eliminate. While there is widespread disenchantment (and legal prohibitions) against hard quotas, almost every large institution in the United States- governments, corporations, universities, police departments, etc.- embraces some form of diversity promotion. Is he against efforts by police departments to recruit more members of the minority communities in which they serve? Is he against mentorship programs for women in large corporations? Is he opposed to the special efforts that universities are making today to recruit first generation college students of all races? At the moment, Webb’s position is articulated in such general terms that it allows almost everyone to read into it whatever they want to see.

4. How Will the White House Respond?

Webb and Obama will be running together in Virginia in 2012 and it’ll be fascinating to watch how the Obama administration reacts to the Senator’s arguments. My sense is that the White House is unlikely (at least privately) to view the editorial very positively. Instead, they almost have to see it as the beginning of a Deeds-like dance in which Webb distances himself from the President on some matters while also hoping to benefit from Obama’s capacity to mobilize the Democratc base in 2012.

5. The Suprising McDonnell Numbers

Bob McDonnell was elected less than a year ago with almost 60% of the vote in Virginia. Despite a severe recession, a newly released VCU poll indicates that Virginians believes by a 47%-37% margin that the state is on the right track, compared to October, 2008 where the “wrong track” was leading by a 49%-40% margin. Yet the same poll provides job approval numbers for the Governor in which 52% of those who rate him say he’s doing a fair or poor job compared to 48% who say that he’s doing a good or excellent job. I’m not sure what’s going on here and why McDonnell’s numbers are relatively low despite a 19 point swing in right track numbers. Are citizens simply inclined to have an absolute “show me” position about any political figure? Is there what Nate Silver calls a “house effect” to the VCU survey where the people who are willing to speak with a university-based pollster are a little more left leaning with which to begin? Or does the fact that the poll surveyed “adult Virginians” and not registered voters have an impact? It’ll be interesting to watch whether the VCU results are a one-time anomaly or an indication of a real trend that not many observers had actually perceived.

6. The Best Summer Story

May be the poker saga in Portsmouth that Dave Foster and Janie Bryant are covering for The Virginian Pilot. In recent years, seven poker rooms have opened up in the city. The state law against gambling apparently makes an exception for “games of skill” and poker advocates in Portsmouth argue that winning is more dependent on skill than chance (which is absolutely true over an extended period of time). Until recently, Portsmouth has been reluctant to close the games and prosecute because of the “loophole” in the state law. This week, however, Commonwealth Attorney Earle Mobley has said that he is asking the police chief to notify the owners that they must close the poker rooms or face prosecution. Not everyone is ecstatic about the coming enforcement action. Foster and Bryant report that Beth Cross, Executive Director of the Help and Emergency Response Center, said “you just made my stomach drop” when she heard of the impending closure. It seems that The Poker Palace donates more money to the shelter than the state provides. And Foster and Bryant also note that until the rooms are shut down, security is being provided by………off-duty Portsmouth PD employees.

Virginia in a Hurry, 7-24-10

Bob Holsworth — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:11:42 +0000

Webb Calls For End to Most Affirmative cation Programs, Criticizes “Myth” of White Dominance

Wilder Criticizes Webb Column, McEachin Praises It

Obama, McDonnell Both Take Credit for Virginia Job Growth

McDonnell Appoints “Tito the Builder” to Virginia Housing Board

McDonnell Headlines Fundraiser for Texas Governor in Virginia

Pentagon Board Report Pushes Closing of Norfolk’s Joint Forces Command

1500 Turn Out for First Day of RAM Clinic in Wise

Portsmouth Officers Still Working Security at Poker Halls

Play Fair Begins Campaign to Bring Meals Tax to Tech

Gulf Spill Imapcts Danville Seafood Businesses

Tony Lee: “What If ‘Macaca’….”

Tony Lee — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:12:43 +0000

In the lead up to the college football season, ESPN’s “College Football Live” is doing a series of “What ifs,” where the show speculates about what would have or could have happened in college football if certain plays in the past did not happen. Like what would have happened if Florida State didn’t have its infamous “Wide Right” moments or if Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner didn’t “stumble and fumble” against Tennessee.

These segments always make me think. And they sure make for interesting conversation among my friends who love college football. The arguments often go on over days. And I must admit the “what ifs” are fun to think about, especially if you are a political junkie.

At a recent gathering, some conservative friends and I debated if any of the other 2008 GOP candidates could have been a stronger candidate against Obama than John McCain was. I said George Allen probably would have been the strongest - if he had not uttered “macaca” - so I thought it’d be fun to try the same “what-if” experiment that ESPN is doing with college football in the world of politics.

So, just for kicks: What if George Allen had not introduced the America to the word “macaca.” Would things be different today?

I think they would be.

Had he not uttered that fateful word, Allen probably would have easily won his election against Jim Webb to remain in the Senate.

And during the 2008 GOP primary, which many conservatives felt like they were picking for the lesser of the evils instead of for someone they truly believed in, Allen would have been the clear and true conservative in a primary that lacked one. He could have then put away John McCain, whose support of comprehensive immigration reform with Ted Kennedy turned off the conservative base to the point where his campaign went bankrupt, and secured the GOP nomination.

In the lead-up to the convention, Allen, not having to worry about gaining the trust of the conservative base like McCain had to until literally the last minute, would have had no reason to pick someone like Sarah Palin to solidify his support among Conservatives. He would have been more inclined to pick someone like Tim Pawlenty to be his running mate.

And during the election’s most seminal moment - the looming financial crises that everyone feared - Allen probably would not have acted as “erratically” as John McCain did as Allen’s greatest strength has been his ability to both portray himself as a CEO while not losing the appearance of being a “common man.” Who knows, Allen could have taken a bold gamble and stood with Senators like Richard Shelby of Alabama (and with most of the American people) against the “bailouts.” This would have definitely changed the dynamics of election 2008.

What remains uncertain is whether Allen could have beaten then candidate Obama. He would have had a better chance than McCain, but Obama’s machine and the special nature of his candidacy may have proven to be too much to overcome.

What is certain is that had Allen not uttered “macaca,” we probably would not be talking about Sarah Palin today. We probably would not even know her name. Or those of her kids.

Though it is a stretch, it isn’t completely implausible to argue that without “macaca” there would not be the phenomenon known as Sarah Palin.

Playing Monday morning quarterback is always fun. But in this case, it’s something that one can definitely chew on for days.

Tony Lee is a conservative writer. Follow him on Twitter: @TheTonyLee.