Debate: James Webb vs Harris Miller
Debate: James Webb vs Harris Miller
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006 12:51 PM
<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1491 -- 06/01/2006 >>>>>
The Virginia senatorial election is perhaps the most important one in the
U.S. Much is at stake for the nation so this is not merely another local
election. If Harris Miller pulls off a win, or even if Allen stays in
office, it sends a loud message to the cheap labor lobby that American
workers are weak, indecisive, and unorganized. A win for Democrat James
Webb will send a chilling message to those who seek to replace Americans
with the cheap young blood of foreign labor.
On May 19th the two primary opponents debated on TV. You can see that
debate by going to this page:
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_051906_miller-webb_debate.3c0c1.html
or
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y2541323D
These are the three contenders for the Virginia Senatorial seat:
Senator George Allen - the incumbent Republican. He recently co-sponsored
the Skil Bill to dramatically increase the number of employment based Green
Cards, H-1Bs, and to create the F-4 visa. According to Americans for Better
Immigration Allen has a grade of "F" because of his lousy voting record on
H-1B.
Democratic Primary Opponents (June 13th)
Harris Miller (aka "The Shiller") - if there is one man to blame for H-1B,
Miller is it. During his stint as president of the ITAA, Miller was one of
the most influential lobbyists on behalf of big-buck corporations such as
Microsoft, IBM, and Sun Microsystems. Backed with corporate cash Miller has
worked feverishly ever since the inception of H-1B to expand its scope. If
you are having problems finding a job because of outsourcing or H-1B, thank
Harris Miller!
To see a list of fat-cats that contribute to the ITAA go here:
http://www.itaa.org/welcome/membership/
James Webb - I'm still not sure where James Webb stands on the issues of
H-1B, guest worker visas, or outsourcing, but it's safe to say that anybody
would be better than Harris Miller. Unfortunately Webb has remained vague
on these issues and for the most part has avoided the entire immigration
debate.
The best possible scenario would be for James Webb to win the primary so
"the Shiller" would be out of the race. It would be a travesty if the race
boiled down to a choice between Allen and Miller because that's actually no
choice at all.
\\\\\\\\\\ Blow by Blow \\\\\\\\\\
Webb and Miller debated for 21 minutes. Most of the time they argued over
the war in Iraq and other peripheral issues such as who has received the
most endorsements from Democratic party bosses.
Both of them started out slow but the debate got heated at the 9:30 minute
mark. Miller accused Webb of supporting Bush and Allen. At first blush this
seemed like nothing more than a smear, but it's important to note that Webb
didn't deny the charge, and more importantly Miller wasn't reluctant to go
after Webb several times about this. Webb on the other hand wasn't nearly
as aggressive when it came to focusing on Miller's weaknesses.
At 10:45 Webb went on the attack by calling Miller the "champion of
outsourcing" and then immediately followed up by saying that some people
consider him to be the "anti-Christ of outsourcing". Webb gave Miller a
condescending lesson on outsourcing that was quite entertaining.
Webb briefly mentioned that foreign labor is being imported into the U.S.
when he stated that Miller supports visas to bring "people in". Webb never
said anything else about visas or foreign labor but did criticize Miller's
use of the education button to justify the importation of more foreigners
to take jobs Americans supposedly don't have enough education for.
Miller followed up by raising a very legitimate question which Webb had no
answer for: "It's easy to say you are against outsourcing but what does
that mean"? I was disappointed that Webb didn't have an answer for that
one.
Miller got away with an outrageous claim that he created 60,000 new jobs in
Virginia. Webb could have pounced on that one but instead let Miller slide.
Unfortunately Webb dropped the ball at this point by allowing Miller to
weasel out of a very bad situation. Miller was trapped but Webb let him go.
The outsourcing issue wasn't raised again, and even worse Webb ceased to
attack Miller on H-1B even though that is where he is the most vulnerable.
---------- FACT CHECK ----------
Labeling Harris Miller as the "anti-Christ of outsourcing" is a very catchy
slogan but it's an obtuse attack. While it's true that Miller has lobbied
for outsourcing his activism on behalf of H-1B and other types of guest
worker visas is what has made him so infamous. Miller's most sordid victory
for outsourcing was in 2002 when he helped defeat "The Truthfulness,
Responsibility, and Accountability in Contracting Act" (TRAC H.R. 721) that
was intended to make it much more difficult for government agencies to
outsource their work to foreign companies. Miller was quite proud of the
fact that he soundly defeated the American Federation of Government
Employees (AFGE) union in this battle.
Harris Miller may be the "anti-Christ", and there are quite a few reasons
he has earned so much hatred, but H-1B is the #1 reason Miller is despised
by so many people in the high-tech community. Webb should have made H-1B a
major issue in the debate and att a minimum should have mentioned how
Harris Miller worked to bust the AFGE.
Harris Miller also lobbied for paperless Diebold voting machines. Hopefully
Virginia doesn't plan on using them because this might be a close election.
It wasn't long before Miller turned the argument back to Webb's support for
Bush and Allen. Miller dogged Webb throughout debate about that. Webb tried
to defend himself and in the process relinquished the attack on Miller's
lobbying activities.
At 14:00 the interviewer turned the issue back to jobs by mentioning the
fact that a Ford truck plant is going to eliminate 2,500 jobs in Virginia.
This was the perfect opportunity to renew the attack on Miller but it never
happened. Miller even got away with blabber about our 19th century
education system and used that to justify importing Indians who he feels
are better educated. That was quite bold considering that Webb had earlier
criticized him for pushing the education button.
\\\\\\\\\\ Conclusion \\\\\\\\\\
James Webb hasn't taken Harris Miller to task for H-1B even though that's
the issue where Miller is the most vulnerable. Webb's website says nothing
about H-1B and only mentions guest-worker visas in the context of
"undocumented workers". Webb is letting Harris Miller off the hook by not
using H-1B as a primary issue. At this point the public is left to guess if
Webb would do anything different than Miller and for the most part Virginia
voters remain unaware of H-1B. Miller is getting a huge boost because Webb
isn't making Virginians aware of the real issues.
To read Webb's statements concerning immigration go to this page:
http://www.webbforsenate.com/issues/issues.php#immigration
Webb defaulted on the one issue he could have used to destroy Harris
Miller. With less than two weeks to go before the primary it may be too
late to change whatever happens. Like most Democrats Webb shies away from
talking frankly about immigration. Hopefully it won't cost him the primary.
More importantly he needs to learn from his mistakes if he gets a chance to
face George Allen in the general election.
I'm including an email that Harris Miller sent out after the debate so you
can see the level of this man's braggadochio. Miller claims that Webb
turned down the chance to have other debates which if true, is another bad
mistake on Webb's part because he won't win the election by default.
If you want to get involved in the Webb campaign here are a few links to
get started. At a minimum contact Webb's campaign and tell them why H-1B
has hurt you, and why it's so important for Webb to take on this issue.
James Webb official website
http://www.webbforsenate.com/
Blog for Virginia activists
http://www.raisingkaine.com/frontPage.do
James Web Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Webb
Materials Used for this Newsletter
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_051906_miller-webb_debate.3c0c1.html
Webb-Miller go On The Record, debate turns into argument
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051900799.html
Senate Candidates in Va. Bicker Over Party Loyalty
email:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_051906_miller-webb_debate.3c0c1.html
or
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y2541323D
Webb-Miller go On The Record, debate turns into argument
04:33 PM EDT on Friday, May 19, 2006
Associated Press
Pete McElveen, WVEC.com
James Webb and Harris Miller debated and argued on WVEC-TV's On The Record.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Two Democrats vying for their party's U.S. Senate
nomination ripped into each other in their first debate Friday with
rhetoric that was often angry, sometimes breathless and, at one point,
apocalyptic.
Wealthy former technology industry lobbyist Harris Miller and former Reagan
Navy Secretary James H. Webb bitterly accused each other of siding with
Republicans.
Miller struck first, citing Webb's endorsement six years ago of Republican
George Allen, who won his seat by defeating Democratic former Sen. Chuck
Robb. Allen is seeking re-election as he positions himself for a 2008
presidential run.
"You attacked Chuck Robb, a fellow Marine, in 2000," Miller charged,
interrupting Webb as he lashed Allen for supporting President Bush's
decision to go to war in Iraq.
"I never attacked Chuck Robb," Webb shot back, "and second of all, why have
11 people from his senior staff endorsed me instead of you?"
Miller noted his edge in endorsements from state legislators and major
figures in the state party establishment.
Webb countered that five senior U.S. Senate Democrats, including Minority
Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, had endorsed
him.
"They don't live in Virginia," Miller fumed.
Webb asked Miller why, if he was such a stalwart Democrat, he wrote
personal checks to at least three GOP congressional candidates, including
House Speaker Dennis Hastert. And he questioned Miller's standing with
labor, implying he was part of a corporate ethic that "outsourced" U.S.
jobs to firms overseas.
"You've been called the Antichrist of outsourcing," Webb said, noting his
endorsement by the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.
After the 30-minute taping, Miller said that he made the contributions when
he was president of the Information Technology Association of America and
the lobbying group's board demanded that he give to Republicans to deflate
claims by Capitol Hill conservatives that the ITAA favored Democrats.
Webb, who announced his first run for elected office two months ago,
brought up his scant tenure as a Democrat in the debate.
"There are a lot of people like me who should come back to the Democratic
Party, and you should be grateful for that since you're a loyal Democrat,"
Webb told Miller.
Both Democrats repeatedly lashed Bush -- who was in nearby Virginia Beach
on Friday at a fundraiser for Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Va. -- over the war and
over an energy policy dependent on Middle Eastern oil.
Webb referred to articles he had written years before the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks warning that the only winner of a U.S. invasion of Iraq
would be its neighbor and rival, Iran. Miller said it was time Iraq's
security was turned over to Iraqis, American troops came home and Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was fired.
Miller said he supports forcing automakers to substantially improve fuel
efficiency of cars and greater use of fuels made from farm crops. Webb went
one step farther and said he supported more nuclear power. Miller
disagreed, citing problems storing spent nuclear fuel.
But the only scheduled duel between the two will be remembered for its
menacing mood, not policy.
Webb let his irritation at Miller show a few times.
His use of a hot-button New Testament term on Miller, who is Jewish, may
haunt Webb, said Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia
Center for Politics.
"It means he's getting a lesson in what you can and can't say," Sabato
said.
The mutual rancor was clear after the debate when reporters asked both men
whether they would support the primary winner. Both agreed, but as Webb
began his response, Miller interrupted him, pushing for an answer.
"Harris, if you'll shut your mouth, I'll answer the question," Webb
snapped, glaring at Miller before continuing. "If you win, I will support
you."
The debate airs Sunday morning in the "On the Record with Joel Rubin Show"
on WVEC-TV in Norfolk.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051900799.html
Senate Candidates in Va. Bicker Over Party Loyalty
By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, May 20, 2006; B01
NORFOLK, May 19 -- The two men vying for the Democratic nomination in
Virginia's U.S. Senate race angrily accused each other of being disloyal to
their party in a bitter exchange Friday during their first face-to-face
meeting of the primary campaign.
Former lobbyist Harris Miller and former Navy secretary James Webb clashed
during the taping of what was billed as a casual conversation for "On the
Record," a Norfolk television show that will air Sunday morning. The
exchange started calmly, with both taking potshots at the man each wants to
face in the fall, incumbent Republican Sen. George Allen.
But the conversation quickly turned nasty, with Miller questioning Webb's
partisan "values" and Webb noting that Miller had been called by some
people "the antichrist of outsourcing." It ended at an impromptu news
conference after the taping, with a visibly frustrated Webb telling Miller
to "shut your mouth."
The antipathy that had until Friday been reserved for news releases and
quiet remarks by campaign aides became personal slams moments into the
taping as Miller questioned Webb's support for Republicans during the 2000
election.
"When we were fighting in the trenches to defeat George Bush and George
Allen in 2000, you weren't just voting for them, you were endorsing them,"
Miller said, ignoring the question of the show's host, Joel Rubin.
Webb quickly accused Miller of making inappropriate campaign contributions
to senior Republicans in the Congress.
"Why did you donate money to [U.S. House of Representatives Speaker] Dennis
Hastert? I've never given money to a Republican in my life," Webb said.
Miller acknowledged giving several thousand dollars to Hastert and Spencer
Abraham, a former U.S. senator who lost his reelection bid in 2000 and went
on to serve as energy secretary during Bush's first term. He told reporters
later that the board of directors of the Information Technology Association
of America, where he was the chief lobbyist at the time, strongly urged him
to contribute to Republican candidates.
"They said I had to be bipartisan in my giving," Miller said of his former
employer. "Two or three, I can't remember, board members said to me on
separate occasions, 'Harris, you were very visible supporting the
Democratic candidates in the 2000 election. This is a bipartisan
organization. We would suggest very strongly that you try to be more
bipartisan in your personal giving.' "
Webb's campaign later pounced on those comments, saying it was an excuse
for contributing to Republicans that only a former lobbyist could love.
"Right there you've got what the American public hates about Washington,"
said Webb spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd. "This is the problem with Harris
Miller. This is how he thinks, how lobbyists think."
Miller's campaign called that ridiculous.
"No one can legitimately question Harris Miller's 30-year commitment to and
work for Democratic candidates," Miller spokeswoman Taylor West said. "Too
many people still have questions about Jim Webb's commitment. He is
desperate to deflect those questions about his continued support for
Republican positions."
Rubin, whose show airs on WVEC Channel 13 at 10:30 a.m., said the exchange
was more testy than he had expected.
"Obviously, it's a sore point with the two campaigns as to who's the better
Democrat," Rubin said.
The two expressed differing views on other subjects as well: Webb expressed
support for nuclear power, whereas Miller opposed it; and Miller again
called for the firing of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, something
that Webb again declined to do.
But the exchanges between the two were dominated by questions about what it
means to be a Democrat in Virginia.
Miller repeatedly pointed out that Webb -- who admits to being a Republican
until 2002 -- endorsed Allen in 2000, when the former governor successfully
challenged Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb.
He said that Webb had even attacked Robb. Miller explained later that he
was referring to Webb's comments that Robb was complicit in a corrupt Bill
Clinton presidency.
"I welcome Jim Webb into the Democratic Party. What I'm asking is, what are
the values he supports?" Miller told reporters.
Asked later whether he thought Webb is a legitimate Democrat, Miller said
that "when you welcome someone to the church, you don't necessarily invite
them to be the choir director the next day."
Webb said he "made a mistake" in 2000 by supporting Bush and Allen, and he
said he has apologized personally to Robb for that. He cited support from
some former Robb aides as evidence that it should no longer be an issue.
Several times, Webb accused Miller of not supporting American workers by
lobbying for the outsourcing of jobs and noted that several union officials
have criticized Miller for advocating that visas be granted to foreign
citizens to take jobs in the United States. Miller said that advocacy was
done on behalf of the technology association.
Asked whether he would support Webb against Allen in the general election
if Webb wins, Miller said that he would. "That's what Democrats do," the
former Fairfax County party chairman said.
When Webb was asked the same question, he said, "I have no personal
animosities here. None."
Miller jumped in. "Well, why don't you answer the question? You going to
support me if you don't win the primary?"
"Harris, if you shut your mouth I'll answer the question," Webb said, then
added curtly: "If you win, I will support you."
"Thank you," Miller said.
"You're welcome," Webb said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: Fri, 19 May 2006 20:44:34 GMT
Today, in a debate with his primary opponent, Harris Miller continued to
show why he is the candidate with the strong experience and understanding
of the issues, the commitment to Virginia Democratic principles, and the
winning message to defeat George Allen in November.
Harris talked about his positive vision for real change in Washington,
saying:
"As a businessman, as a technology leader, I believe we need to take this
country in a different direction. We need to bring real solutions to real
problems, the same way that Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have done here in
Virginia."
You can help Harris bring his real agenda for change to Washington -
contribute today!
Harris's opponent, James Webb, lost his composure and refused to answer the
question when he was asked to explain how he could have supported George
Bush and George Allen in 2000. Webb voted for Bush and publicly endorsed
George Allen six years ago, attacking Chuck Robb, and calling Bill
Clinton's presidency "the most corrupt administration in modern memory."
Webb remained defensive and on edge throughout the debate, culminating
with, as the Washington Post described it, "an impromptu press conference
after the taping with a visibly frustrated Webb telling Miller to 'shut
your mouth.'"
That kind of outburst helps explain why Webb has refused to participate in
other major debates, including one hosted by the Fairfax County Chamber of
Commerce, and another proposed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.
Meanwhile, Harris spoke knowlegeably and passionately about the need for
our country to invest in the future - improving education, increasing
opportunities for job training, breaking America's addiction to foreign oil
by investing in alternative energy, and creating a real exit strategy to
get our troops home from Iraq.
Harris also remains the only candidate in this race holding Donald Rumsfeld
accountable for his failures in Iraq. As the Washington Post reported,
"Miller again called for the firing of Defense Secretary Donald H.
Rumsfeld, something that Webb again declined to do."
Help us elect a Virginia Democrat we can count on in the United States
Senate. Contribute to Harris's campaign!
Webb lashed out with a barrage of negative attacks against Harris today,
including outlandishly referring to Harris as the "anti-Christ of
outsourcing." But none of this ludicrous name-calling explains why just
last month, Webb was still singing the praises of Ronald Reagan, telling
MSNBC, "Ronald Reagan was a really fine president on the issues that I
cared about."
Virginia Democrats are looking for a candidate who can bring real
leadership, real change, and real Virginia Democratic values to Washington.
Harris Miller proved today that he is the Virginia Democrat we can count
on.
Thank you for your support as we work to bring real change to Washington!
Sincerely,
Andy Resnick
Campaign Manager
Harris Miller for U.S. Senate
P.S. There are only 5 days left until our next fundraising deadline on May
24th. Help us keep Harris's momentum going strong with a contribution
today!
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