Barack Obama

Pelosi: Dem Opposition To Obama Jobs Plan Trivial

Brian Beutler | September 15, 2011, 12:25PM

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Thursday said Democrats overwhelmingly support President Obama's jobs bill, despite opposition from a handful of loud party conservatives.

"Let me just say that what you're suggesting is anecdotal. ... the plural of anecdote is not data," Pelosi said in response to TPM's question at her weekly Capitol press conference. "Our caucus is very unified in support of the American Jobs Act and the fact that it is paid for. It may differ with some provisions within it, or the pay-fors, but they do not differ in the fact that we must get behind it."

Read more »

Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Nation-Building By Any Other Name Is Still Nation-Building

Susan Crabtree | June 23, 2011, 5:21PM

President Barack Obama

One line more than any other in President Obama's primetime speech about gradually withdrawing troops from Afghanistan is coming back to haunt him.

"America, it is time to focus on nation-building here at home," Obama said towards the end of the speech.

The dramatic line was music to the ears of many of his fellow Democrats and voters who supported him. The words tapped into the populist, isolationist tendencies of many voters across the country who have an acute case of combat fatigue after nearly a decade of wars initiated by another president who promised the very same return to domestic concerns before the 9/11 attacks.

Read more »

VA-SEN

Tim Kaine Launches Senate Bid In Virginia (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | April 5, 2011, 1:31PM

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine (VA)

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, who served as governor of Virginia from 2006-2010, has officially kicked off his much-expected campaign for Senate, for the seat held by retiring Dem Sen. Jim Webb.

In a YouTube video, Kaine touts his accomplishments as governor, saying he attracted business to the state and was praised for his fiscal management.

"I'm running for the United States Senate because America has big challenges," says Kaine. "And I'm convinced that Virginia has answers to help strengthen our nation."

Read more »

Tom Perriello

Perriello Source: All Options -- Including Senate Run -- On The Table In Newly Open Senate Race

Brian Beutler | February 9, 2011, 2:47PM

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

Expect progressives to push former Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) -- who was defeated in 2010 -- to run for Sen. Jim Webb's Senate seat.

A Democratic source close to Perriello tells me "Tom has not made any decisions yet about the future and is keeping his options open."

Read more »

VA-SEN

PPP: Virginia Senate Still A Toss-Up -- And Kaine Tests Well Against Allen

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2011, 2:25PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and DNC chair Tim Kaine

So does the retirement of Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) increase the vulnerability that Democrats might face against Republican former Sen. George Allen, who narrowly lost to Webb in 2006? Perhaps not, so argues Public Policy Polling (D) -- and Allen doesn't seem like any sort of sure thing.

Back in mid-November, a PPP survey of Virginia found that Tim Kaine, the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee and formerly the governor of Virginia, tested just as well or perhaps even better than Webb. Against Allen, Webb led by 49%-45%, while Kaine scored 50%-44%.

PPP's Tom Jensen writes today: "24 hours ago Virginia looked like a toss up. And Jim Webb or no Jim Webb, I think it still does."

Read more »

VA-SEN

George Allen: 'I Respect Senator Webb's Service To Our Country'

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2011, 1:42PM

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA), who is seeking a comeback to the Senate after he was defeated for re-election in 2006, has released a statement on the announcement that the man who defeated him, Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, is not running again.

"I respect Senator Webb's service to our country and the very personal decision that he and his family have made," writes Allen. "I did not enter into this race to run against any one person, but to fight for the families of Virginia to improve their opportunities in life. My campaign will continue to focus on achievable reforms that will help reinvigorate our economy, end reckless, runaway spending, and unleash our plentiful energy resources."

Read more »

VA-SEN

Sen. Jim Webb Retiring In Virginia

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2011, 11:46AM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

In a huge development for the 2012 Senate races, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) has announced that he will not seek re-election.

At first glance, Webb's retirement seems like it could make things even tougher for Democrats in a swing state, which Barack Obama carried as the first Democrat to do so since 1964, but where the Republicans made very strong gains in 2009 and 2010.

Webb, a Vietnam veteran and former Republican who had served in the Reagan administration, left the Republican Party due to the key issues of the Iraq War and economic inequality. He was then narrowly elected in an upset in 2006, defeating Republican Sen. George Allen -- who launched his own campaign last month, to try to win the seat back. Allen had previously been expected to win easily and then launch a 2008 presidential campaign. The trouble came in August 2006, of course, after he was videotaped by a Webb campaign tracker, who was Indian-American, calling the person "macaca," a type of monkey. This was widely interpreted as being a somewhat obscure racial slur, often used by French colonists in Africa -- which was the background of Allen's mother.

Webb had been hinting for some time that he was tired of politics, with weak fundraising and public comments criticizing President Obama's handling of the health care issue.

Read more »

2012 elections

George Allen Kicks Off 'American Comeback' Campaign For Old Senate Seat (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 24, 2011, 12:49PM

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA) has officially launched his campaign to run again for the Senate seat he held from 2001-2007, before he was defeated in a major upset by Democrat Jim Webb in 2006. Allen's campaign is being pitched as part of an "American comeback."

"The pivotal elections coming up in 2012 are gonna determine the trajectory of our country," Allen said in his YouTube announcement video. "Whether the opportunity to achieve the American Dream will continue to decline, or begin to ascend again.

"Friends, it's time for an American comeback. A comeback with leaders in Washington who listen to 'We the People,' adhere to foundational principles, rein in spending, and start creating opportunities for more jobs."

Read more »

VA-SEN

Report: George Allen To Launch Comeback Senate Bid Today

Eric Kleefeld | January 24, 2011, 9:35AM

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

Can George Allen rise again?

The former Republican Senator from Virginia is set to announce today that he will run for the Senate once more, seeking a rematch against Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, who narrowly defeated him in the Democratic wave of 2006 -- aided quite heavily by Allen's own various missteps.

Allen narrowly lost his 2006 re-election, after he had previously been expected to win easily and then launch a 2008 presidential campaign. The trouble came in August 2006, of course, after he was videotaped by a Webb campaign tracker, who was Indian-American, calling the person "macaca," a type of monkey. This was widely interpreted as being a somewhat obscure racial slur, often used by French colonists in Africa -- which was the background of Allen's mother.

Read more »

VA-SEN

Report: George Allen To Launch Comeback Senate Campaign Soon

Eric Kleefeld | January 17, 2011, 10:56AM

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

We may not have seen the last of former Sen. George Allen (R-VA) -- and what's more, we could be in for a top-tier rematch between him and Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), who defeated Allen in 2006.

Politico's Mike Allen reports:

George Allen, the former U.S. senator and Virginia governor, plans to tell supporters within a week that he is mounting a campaign to retake the Senate seat he lost to Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) in 2006. Allen, 58, the most prominent 2012 challenger to announce so far, has begun to line up key staff members. Webb, 64, who won by 1 percent, has sent mixed signals about whether he will seek reelection. DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, a former Virginia governor who could be the Democratic nominee if Webb bowed out, has been telling friends he thinks Webb will run.

Read more »

George Allen

PPP Poll: Virginia Republicans Want Former Sen. George Allen In 2012

Marc Kilstein | November 18, 2010, 3:02PM

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

Former Sen. George Allen (R-VA), perhaps best remembered for blowing a seemingly guaranteed re-election bid in 2006, appears to be Virginia Republicans' clear preference for the 2012 Senate race, according to a newly released Public Policy Polling survey.

Read more »

VA-SEN

PPP Poll: Dem Jim Webb Leads Potential Virginia Senate Challengers

Howard Polikoff | November 17, 2010, 1:55PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

A new Public Policy Polling (D) survey shows Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) with an early lead in his possible 2012 re-election bid. This comes on the heels of numbers showing President Obama leading the top 2012 Republican presidential contenders in Virginia.

And if former Gov. Tim Kaine was the Democrats' Senate nominee in Virginia? He's ahead of prominent Virginia Republicans, too.

Read more »

Bush Tax Cuts

Jim Webb Iffy On Tax Cuts, Worries $250k Cutoff Too Low

Christina Bellantoni | September 22, 2010, 9:29AM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Sen. Jim Webb might be joining the ranks of several Senate Democrats who think the Bush-era tax cuts should be extended to help people who earn more than $250,000 per year.

A spokesman for Webb (D-VA) told TPM that the senator is negotiating the specifics with the Democratic leadership, talking about potential alternatives to their favored plan being championed by President Obama.

"He is definitely in favor of passing tax cuts," said Webb spokesman Will Jenkins. "He is still discussing the specifics with his colleagues, but he has said that he thinks the proposed $250,000 cut off level is too low, and he is advocating that it be raised."

Read more »

Defense Authorization

GOP To Oppose Defense Bill Over 'Unrelated' DADT, Immigration Provisions

Christina Bellantoni and Jon Terbush | September 21, 2010, 1:13PM

The Senate today is poised to vote on the Defense Authorization bill, a critical measure setting military policy but which also includes provisions to complete the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the DREAM Act allowing illegal immigrant children the chance for a college education.

Handicappers think the Don't Ask, Don't Tell and immigration amendments stand a slim chance at passage, and Senate aides say leadership is likely to set aside the bill to consider it for final approval later after the fall elections. Reports from Capitol Hill suggest enough Democrats -- like Sen. Jim Webb (VA), according to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow -- will join with Republicans to filibuster the measure.

The defense authorization measure also lays out policy positions on Guantanamo Bay detainees, Pentagon priorities and more. But it's political season, which means Senate Republicans are bound to be a little, shall we say, hypocritical about what they think should be in and out of the bill. After all, when the Republicans were in charge, plenty of measures unrelated to defense spending made their way into the defense authorizations.

Read more »

Afghanistan

Americans Turn Against Obama's Afghanistan Plan As Congress Pushes Him For Exit Strategy

Christina Bellantoni | July 16, 2010, 4:33PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

As if President Obama didn't have enough to worry about with two wars raging in Asia, he's now taking heat from both sides of the aisle over his plan for Afghanistan -- and facing an increasingly skeptical American public.

A new ABC News-Washington Post poll shows that less than half of Americans -- only 43 percent -- think the war was worth it, compared to 52 percent at the end of 2008. And Obama's approval rating on the war is down to 45 percent, as compared to 56 percent in April 2010.

The American public isn't alone in its skepticism against the war: both Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), moderates with a level of respect in and out of their caucuses on military and foreign policy issues, came out with pointed criticisms of the Afghan war this week.

Read more »

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | June 4, 2010, 4:50PM

U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, National Incident Commander

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

• Fox News Sunday: Adm. Thad Allen, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to coverage of the French Open.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | May 28, 2010, 3:01PM

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Energy Adviser Carol Browner, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), Louisiana State University environmental scientist Edward Overton, Ph.D.

• CNN, State Of The Union: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

• Fox News Sunday: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Energy Adviser Carol Browner, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Senate Panel Votes To End Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Brian Beutler | May 27, 2010, 6:45PM

Lt. Dan Choi at a protest against Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Equal rights activists scored a major victory today, as the Senate Armed Services committee voted 16-12 to give the Pentagon the power to overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell--a policy that bans openly gay people from serving in the military. However, numerous obstacles still remain, including an explicit threat from multiple Republicans that they'll filibuster the legislation when it reaches the Senate floor.

Maine Republican Susan Collins joined 15 Democrats in adopting the repeal plan as an amendment to the 2011 Defense Authorization Act, which should receive a floor vote next month. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) was the lone Democrat to vote 'no' with the Republicans. The House is expected to adopt similar language later tonight or tomorrow.

Read more »

Barack Obama

Offshoring Up Support: Obama Looks For Help From Democrats On Climate-Energy Legislation

Brian Beutler | April 1, 2010, 5:15PM

President Barack Obama

Was President Obama's big announcement yesterday that he plans to open vast swaths of the U.S. coastline to oil and natural gas drilling necessary to win Democratic support for comprehensive climate and energy legislation?

Though members of Congress and the media were thrown for a loop by the news, the announcement came as little surprise to others, particularly key Senate Democrats. This, they've accepted, is the price that must be paid to bring oil-patch Democrats into the fold on a more comprehensive energy bill.

Read more »

2012 elections

Sen. Webb Challenges Obama On Key Initiatives At Critical Juncture For Democrats

Christina Bellantoni | January 29, 2010, 2:06PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Sen. Jim Webb is no stranger to butting heads with presidents, but his recent direct challenges to President Obama's agenda have been raising eyebrows and his national profile.

Polls had been closed in Massachusetts for less than two hours when Webb (D-VA) issued a statement putting the brakes on health care reform. He'd voted for the Senate bill, but that was after weeks of pressuring Senate leaders to be more transparent about the process and wavering on whether he'd actually vote to break a Republican filibuster.

Webb's latest critique is of the Obama administration's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City, and he hasn't been shy about calling for something different.

Webb told reporters yesterday that "The people who really want to solve the problems in this country are going to start working across the aisle to get things done."

He cited his fight to pass a GI Bill of Rights and said he's proudest of "what I like to call my own management model, a leadership model" of working with others.

Read more »

MA-SEN

Health Care Comes To Screeching Halt - Sen. Webb: No HCR Votes Until Brown Seated

Christina Bellantoni | January 19, 2010, 9:49PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Less than 15 minutes after the race was called for Republican Scott Brown, the first of what could be many conservative Democrats asks for leadership to put the brakes on health care reform.

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) congratulated Brown on his win and delivered a zinger:

"In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process. It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Brown is seated."

Jim Webb

Poll: Webb-Allen Rematch In 2012 Would Be Close

Eric Kleefeld | December 28, 2009, 11:39AM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and former Sen. George Allen (R-VA)

It looks like Sen. George Allen (R-VA) could still be a viable political name in Virginia, according to newly-released (albeit months old) polling data from Public Policy Polling (D). In a potential 2012 rematch with Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, it's a dead heat.

PPP posts this on their blog:

Last week George Allen opened the door to a possible rematch against Jim Webb in 2012. Two polls we've conducted in the last year indicate such a contest would be about as much of a toss up as you can have.

When we looked at it in July of 2008, Webb led Allen 45-43. This August, in numbers we're now releasing publicly for the first time, Allen led Webb 44-43.

Read more »

Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh: McConnell Told Me Republicans Are Proposing Amendments In Order To Stop Health Care Bill, Not Improve It

Eric Kleefeld | December 11, 2009, 2:52PM

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Rush Limbaugh.

On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh said that none other than Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told him that the Republicans are offering amendments to the health care bill, not to improve the bill, but as a parliamentary maneuver to "flush out" Democratic centrists Ben Nelson and Jim Webb, and to try to peel them away and thus stop the bill:

"Plus there are the Republicans using procedures, parliamentary procedures, and offering all these amendments. Now the purpose -- I talked to Sen. McConnell about the purpose of the amendments. He said we're trying to flush out with these amendments, just who it is that really we have to focus on here. And the two names that he mentioned were Ben Nelson and Jim Webb in Virginia. Because there's something that Webb is not going along with the Democrats on, I forget specifically what it is. My point in mentioning all this is, that the Republicans in the Senate are using parliamentary procedures, they are offering all these amendments, not to make the bill better, but to flush out and to find out who it is that they really need to work with to stop this. That is their objective, to stop it.

When contacted by TPM, McConnell's office could not immediately comment.

VA-GOV

Jim Webb Congratulates McDonnell, Appeals For Bipartisanship

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 9:31PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Republicans control the all of Virginia's statewide state government posts now, but Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) appealed to them tonight to let the party they just decimated continue to have a voice in Richmond.

From Webb's statement on the races in Virginia tonight:

"I am very familiar with long and divisive campaigns. I am confident that, with the close of campaign season tonight, we can put partisanship aside and work collectively to further the best interests of Virginia and our people."

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Tells Voters To Ignore Polls Showing Him Losing In Landslide

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 9:20AM

State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) asks voters to back him at his final rally in Alexandria, Virginia Nov. 2, 2009

State Sen. Creigh Deeds closed his final rally in the Virginia governor's race on a hopeful note, telling a few hundred supporters gathered in Alexandria last night the only poll that matters is taken today between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

But in a less-than-inspirational aside, Deeds (D-VA) also said he was encouraged by the results in his local Bath County high school mock election.

"That's a precursor to this election -- we're on our way baby," Deeds said, to laughter.

Deeds backers told the crowd they know Deeds is behind by double digits but they "are hearing something different" in the calls they make to get-out-the-vote.

It was also Obamatime, as each speaker urged voters to "remember how it felt" when Barack Obama held his final rally in Manassas, Virginia the night before capturing the state and the presidency.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Steele, Webb Fan Out Across VA Today

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 23, 2009, 8:52AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)

As the clock runs down on the Virginia gubernatorial contest, the cavalcade of stars is in full swing. Today, RNC chair Michael Steele and Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) will both appear in the state to stump for their party's nominee.

Webb will make a stop in Northern Virginia for Creigh Deeds this afternoon. A high turnout in the vote rich, Democratic-leaning region is vitally important for Deeds if he hopes to pull off what polls show would be an upset win over Republican Bob McDonnell.

At the same time, Steele will be kicking of a two stop tour through Virginia's southern coastal region. Steele will stump for McDonnell in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Webb, Slammed Over His Past Writings In '06, Says McDonnell Thesis Fair Game

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 19, 2009, 11:07AM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Sen. Jim Webb (D) knows better than most that what you put on paper can come back to haunt you in Virginia politics. But three years after his past writings were used against him (he says unfairly) in his Senate race, Webb backed the attacks on GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell's 1989 master's thesis.

From Webb's interview with The Hill over the weekend:

"They were taking small excerpts from novels and attempting to use them to characterize me," he said of [GOP Sen. George] Allen's campaign, contrasting it with what [Creigh] Deeds has done. "And I think that was totally distinct from what we're talking about with respect to this situation."

Read more »

Bill Clinton

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | September 25, 2009, 2:14PM

Former President Bill Clinton

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO); Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell (R); Anti-ACORN activist James O'Keefe.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Former President Bill Clinton; Gov. David Paterson (D-NY); Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA).