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The Campaign Spot

Election-driven news and views . . . by Jim Geraghty.


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Why Is Jim Webb Not Doing Any Fundraising?

Call me crazy, but I think Virginia Sen. Jim Webb’s not going to run for reelection next year.

At least, that scenario seems a bit more plausible in light of this news about the Democrat:

Webb, who still hasn’t made his reelection plans known, raised just over $12,000 during the final quarter of 2010. 

He reported $444,000 in cash on hand ahead of what might be one of the most hotly contested Senate races of the 2012 cycle, should Webb opt for reelection.

Webb is quoted as saying he’s confident that he could raise enough money “once he officially decides on his 2012 plans.” Probably, but most first-term senators begin preparing for their second term once they enter the last two years of their term. The fact that Webb still isn’t sure that he wants to sign on for another six years suggests that some part of him is thinking about moving on to something else. It’s not like this would be the first time he abruptly departed a high-profile Washington position.

For what it’s worth, George Allen and his team are operating on the assumption that Webb will run for reelection, but at this point, it would be a waste of time to spend much time game-planning alternative scenarios…

Tags: George Allen, Jim Webb

New on The Campaign Spot. . .


COMMENTS   5

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@notpjorourke
   02/01/11 15:35

I'm not a betting man, but I'd put dollars down that Webb is either SecDef or a Senior VP at RAND in two years.

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WestCoast
   02/01/11 17:03

Jamie Radtke, a Tea Party candidate, announced her run for the Republican nomination in December. It will be interesting to compare her fundraising numbers with Sen. Webb's.

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MikeN
   02/01/11 22:36

He is challenging Obama in the primary.

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   02/02/11 09:03

You may be right about him lusting after the Sec of Def job. What better way for him to feel like he can get back at all those people in the Navy he didn't like when he was Sec of the Navy.

Though, he'll have to out bottom-kiss droopy eyes Chuck Hager for that job, who's been running for it since about 2008. I remember him stumbling around PA last year, stumping for the Dem for Senate (Sespack or whatever his name was), undoubtably building up Obama credits to later beg for the Sec of Def job.

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   02/02/11 14:28

Is he making way for Kaine?

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