Video: Sparks in Miller vs. Webb debate - VA Sen Primary

WVEC TV in Virginia Beach taped a 20 minute debate between Jim Webb and Harris Miller today.  It will likely be the only televised debate between the two candidates.  Video link here

Much of the debate was very humdrum - the two candidates each answered questions much as a generic Democrat/Progressive would.  Harris Miller kept hammering "George Bush and George Allen" at every opportunity.  This was the first time I'd heard Miller talk and I think he looked ok.  

There were some sparks though about 10 minutes in...

Most of the debate the candidates were polite towards each other and attacked Republicans, but about 10 minutes into it, Harris Miller interrupts Jim Webb and randomly asks why he endorsed George Bush and George Allen in 2000.  Miller accused Webb of undermining Chuck Robb.  Webb countered that 11 of Robb's senior staffers had endorsed Webb over Miller.  Webb brought out the donations that Miller had personally made to Republicans like John Sununu and Dennis Hastert and brought up Millers endorsement of outsourcing jobs and his own union endorsement.  Miller and Webb argued over whose endorsements were better.  Was fun to watch - the debates I've watched have been the presidential ones where the rules are very rigid.  

I'm a Jim Webb guy, have given him a little coin, and I agree with Larry Sabato that Webb is "George Allen's worst nightmare."  I think that Webb will go over very well in SE Virginia where simply having been Secretary of Navy under Reagan will get a ton of votes.  Webb also will play better in Southwest Virginia - he understands just as Mark Warner did that we can reach out to the "bubbas" and explain to them why they should vote Democrat and they will be receptive.  I think Miller has a good shot in Northern Virginia - his base - but the buzz around here is definitely more pro-Webb - Warner doing a fundraiser for Webb last week after having Miller basically run as "Warner's chosen candidate" for several months before Webb got into the race was huge.

Webb is in favor of nuclear power - so am I.

I think Harris Miller is a bit more polished as a speaker, and a better debater.  I think Jim Webb is better looking and a deeper thinker.  He didn't stumble or look bad, but there were times he wanted to think before he spoke where Miller was just able to speak more naturall off the cuff.

I think Webb has a better chance vs. Allen but after watching the debate I wouldn't write Harris Miller off if he somehow wins the nomination.  The big liability with Miller is that he will have to do some serious begging to get the unions on board, and without the unions it will be hard for a Democrat to win an election in a red state.

-Fred