Watch This One

James Webb, former Secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration left the Republican Party over W's handling of the war in Iraq. Now he's running against George F. Allen (we'll get to the "F" in a moment) for Allen's Senate seat. This is a race that could not only help decide whether the forces of darkness will lose control of the upper chamber of Congress, but also whether Allen--who's been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in '08--has a political future.

Maybe because he's a former Republican, Webb has adopted a take-no-prisoners style. His approach may also derive from personal experience: as a Marine platoon and company commander in Vietnam, he won the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

Comes now the vote on the flag-burning amendment. Allen, seeing an opportunity to question the patriotism of a man who actually served in combat (see a pattern there, friends?), attacked Webb for opposing the amendment. At which point, Webb's strategist, Steve Jarding, commented dryly, "While Jim Webb and others of George Felix Allen Jr.'s generation were fighting for our freedoms and for our symbols of freedom in Vietnam, George Felix Allen Jr. was playing cowboy at a dude ranch in Nevada." (Allen apparently HATES his middle name.) Jarding also said, ""People who live in glass dude ranches should not question the patriotism of real soldiers who fought and bled for this country on a real battlefield."

This one promises to be a barn-burner. Webb is willing to wage the kind of campaign that many Democrats have despaired of seeing. He's backed by Mark Warner, who ended his one term as Virginia governor (governors of the State for Lovers are not allowed to succeed themselves) with immense popularity. Allen, who sports cowboy boots, should be in a strong position--Virginia has tended strongly Republican in national politics in recent decades, but I have a feeling that the Webb-Allen fight will come right down to the wire. Democrats need to pull out one or two of these races to re-take the Senate.

Another reason, if you need one, to contribute to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. If you'd prefer to contribute directly to Webb's campaign, or just to learn more about him, go here.

(Late note, the DSCC attacked Allen today for refusing to turn campaign contributions from Sam and Charles Wyly to a deserving charity. The Wyly brothers are under investigations for tax and securities fraud. Such paragons of virtue as Bill Frist (the man who likes to dissect cats) and John McCain have diverted Wyly contributions to charity.)