Political experts say Democratic nominee Jim Webb must boost his campaigning skills and funding to win in the Senate race against Republican Sen. George Allen.
“Webb is going to be running a tough race. He has got to learn how to be a politician quickly,” said Toni Travis, a George Mason University political science professor.
In addition to working with Democratic Party officials, Webb must have clear positions on the issues and answers when it comes to the war in Iraq, she said.
Webb, who was endorsed by many non-Virginia Democrats, also must raise enough money to mount a successful challenge against Allen, whose war chest exceeds $7.5 million.
“A low-turnout primary with 155,000 people voting is completely different than a multimillion-voter turnout in November running against a well-funded incumbent,” said Larry Sabato, University of Virginia Center for Politics director. “Either the national Democrats put their money where their mouth is or they can kiss this one goodbye.”
The Webb campaign is confident it will “raise the money to be competitive” with Allen, said Kristian Denny Todd, a Webb spokeswoman.
Webb’s win could worry Republicans by bringing a solid Democrat into a race in the South, Travis said.
“It creates a snapshot into what may spark nationally — and in terms of ’08,” Denny Todd said.
“This race is very much about [Allen’s] presidential contest, not just the Senate seat. If Webb can defeat him or even come close, it will severely damage Allen’s presidential contest,” Sabato said.
Allen’s running two races at once could be seen as “arrogant” by Virginians who keep an eye his travels around the country, including this weekend’s trip to Iowa, Sabato said.
“As far as fundraising out of state, that is something these days you have to do to raise money,” said Bill Bozin, an Allen spokesman, referring to the Iowa trip. “His focus this year is on Virginia and that is where he will spend a vast majority of his time.”
