Webb and Tester are the new face of the New Democratic Party...

[kentuck]

Appearing on the Meet The Press, both Senators-to-be came across as very genuine and intelligent. Neither appeared to be as "conservative" as they were portrayed by the mainstream media. Tester will be on the Committee in the new Senate that will determine the changes in the ethics rules. On appearance alone, he appears to be as honest and genuine as any Senator we have seen for a very long time. If he can help clear up the corruption in Washington, he will be a very successful Senator.

Surprisingly, Senator-elect Webb spoke intelligently on the class warfare issue and how the working people have been ignored as the corporations have gotten wealthy off of globalization and tax loopholes. His words were very encouraging. Also, he said his model for a Senator was former Senator Daniel Moynihan.

These were two very impressive individuals and the Democratic Party should put them out in front of the camera at every opportunity. They give hope to all Americans. Perhaps we will survive this crisis of governance after all?

[asjr]

1. It was a joy to watch Russert engage in

conversation with two intelligent men. There has been such a lack of that sort of interview for a long long time. Russert would have been hard pressed to be his usual snarky self with those two. Those were real people.

[abluelady]

2. What is Really Great

is that they were not portrayed as the "conservatives" the GOP is trying to shove down our throats. What sore losers they have been!

[TheFarseer]

3. What they were talking about

was not anything that the GOP has been talking about. The idea that they are just conservatives with 'D's by their name is plain wrong. Although I do believe they are a different kind of democrat from Hillary and John Kerry.

[WCGreen]

24. Neither one of them represents Mass or New York....

You are responsible for bringing the issues important to your people to DC... That is what being a representitive is all about...

[TheFarseer]

27. agree 100% n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Both these soon-to-be Senators will do us proud. Of that, I'm certain.

Neither one of them 'fits the mold' .... any mold.

In common, I saw both of them as populist sorts. Not in any negative way, but in the sense that they're for the average American - assuming there even *is* an average American these days.

Tester comes across as your average good guy next door type. You know you really just *want* to like the guy. Yes, that's not substance, but rather style, but I'll take that, too. The retro flat top hair style and the substantial girth are just two things the average person can relate to in a positive way. The easy smile is just plain winning. On substance, it was harder to see where he is, specifically, on issues because Russert, while very respectful, just didn't seem to engage him nearly as much as he did Webb on matters of policy.

Webb is a guy who comes across as someone who can be trusted to hold your last dollar and return it to you with interest. He seems the very picture of 'honest' and 'integrity'. Where Tester has an easy smile and an obvious self deprecating way, Webb is wrapped real tight. Not in a negative way, mind you, but there's just a 'no bullshit' manner about him. On matters of substance, he had me cheering with his stand on issues affecting our middle class. And we all know where he stands on the war. I think this guy's gunna be one hell of a Senator. I also found it interesting that he was channeling Moynihan. VERY interesting.

What I think can be said of both men is that they give lie to the 'conservative' meme that the RW is pushing. While neither are flaming lefties, they sure as hell seem to embrace the breadth of the Democratic Party's core values and positions. The spectral positions of Landreau, Nelson, Nelson and Lieberman (blech ... sadly, he's been embraced and is back in the fold) are quite safe. I suspect they'll even turn out to be to the left of a few more of our incumbents .... Bayh, for example.

I am VERY pleased to have these two on our side.

[sallyseven]

5. I knew the were very good people.

My son however was not so sure until today. Hearing what they had to say without snaky filters of the press and pundit idiots (Timmy, Tweety, and assorted others, they came off as genuine democrats. The ones I use to know from long ago.

[NCarolinawoman]

7. While on the Ed Schultz show, I heard Tester speak on environmental issues.

He is an organic farmer. He spoke about the need to leave the earth to our children and grandchildren in a better place than we found it. He seems to have a real love of the land as many small farmers do/versus the big corporate farmers (who aren't really farmers in my estimation).

[lostnfound]

9. True patriotism, integrity, and an open mind.

All else is negotiable.

[Auntie Bush]

28. I noticed and agree with everything you said and the thought actually crossed my mind

that he would make an excellent Democratic president in the future.

Here's how I could regretfully happen. Clark decides not to run...Hillary loses to John McCain. Then Webb would be in a perfect position to wipe them off the floors of congress with his commanding presence, leadership qualities, intelligence, military experience and a "Southerner" to boot. Let me be first to say Webb for president...someday! I know it's too early to tell. We'll just have to check out his voting record and watch him carefully. Anyone agree?

[DeepModem Mom]

6. I couldn't help thinking about the contrast with the two men they replaced....

These two were incredibly impressive -- intelligent, thoughtful and caring. Their predecessors were empty suits, with an ideology foreign to what we're supposed to be as a country.

[JudyM]

8. It was striking to hear policy discussed substantively without rhetoric.

Proud of my new jr senator from VA! After having put in all those GOTV hours it's gratifying to see him make a solid presentation on national tv.

Could be a new day for the country, after all!

:patriot:

[wyldwolf]

10. I do rather like their politics

John Tester took several pages out of the Clinton/DLC playbook at the state level, specifically on his balanced budget proposals.

He believes the government should work to limit abortions and believe, again like Clinton, the procedure should be safe, legal, and rare.

He is tough on crime, and especially believes in enforcing illegal drug laws.

He believes in a strong national defense.

He's a strong Second Amendment rights advocate and will "stand up to anyone - Democrat or Republican - who wants to take away gun rights."

He believes health care should be affordable and assessable (not necessarily provided by the government.)

He believes we should secure our borders to keep out illegal drugs and illegal immigrants. Companies who hire illegal immigrants should be punished.

Webb, a bit too conservative for my tastes, but still a welcome change...

... an absolutist on Second Amendment rights — the right to keep and bear arms.

... not real big on affirmative action.


I don’t like the fact that he doesn't care much for Bill Clinton and once refused to shake John Kerry’s hand because of his opposition to the Viet Nam war.

He's been described as “the most deeply conservative national Democrat since Grover Cleveland.”

[Mythsaje]

11. "especially believes in enforcing illegal drug laws"

Oh, yeah, because that's been working so WELL up 'till now. :sarcasm:

Another politician on the national stage who can't figure out how fucked up that whole thing is.

Great.

Why am I not surprised?

[wyldwolf]

12. just the type of Dem he is

I can almost guarantee that the same people fawning over them will be cursing them as DINOS within the year

[Mythsaje]

13. Oh, probably...

Of course, that's why I don't usually fawn over any politician. They will all have stances I agree with and stances I disagree with.

But I really wish SOMEONE on the national stage would get around to discussing how much of a farce the drug war really is.

[wyldwolf]

14. I have to agree with you on the "drugwar." But it plays well in Tester country

[Mythsaje]

15. Of course it does...

Because most people are unaware of the toll it's taking on the country. The incarceration rates, the suspension and slow erosion of civil liberties, the increasing militancy of the police. Rural voters get to see the repercussions of the drug war every time someone discovers a meth lab in their county. Prohibition equals profit--and there will always be Americans willing to do ANYTHING for profit.

If their "War on Terror" goes anywhere near as well as the drug war has gone, Al Qeida will be running this country in the next few years.

[beachmom]

25. I love Webb, but did you see the part about what he said about

Vietnam in 1985? "You shouldn't debate while you fight". His answer to reconcile his stances on Vietnam and Iraq was okay, but I'm really hoping that as he goes to the Senate and fights to get our troops out of that quagmire, that he softens his views of those opposed to the Vietnam War. That's actually my only beef with Webb -- he didn't seem to respect opposition to the Vietnam War. Other than that, he's just plain terrific, better than expected. I am SOO looking forward to actually having a Democrat represent me at the federal level for the first time since I moved to Virginia.

[Leilani]

16. I'm really looking forward to seeing MTP today.

I'm not very familiar with Tester, but what I've heard is all positive.

Webb is the guy I've been following, & I have great hopes for him. Income inequality is not a very poular topic among Beltway pols, but I consider it the most important domestic issue today. Access to quality health care, affordable education that enables our young people to reach their full potential, & the theory that a strong middle class makes us a strong nation is crucial.

Also, Webb is the polar opposite of Allen, the idiot he defeated. He's a straight shooter, doesn't speak in Washington talk, & is a true intellectual.

[Straight Shooter]

17. Yes, I agree, Webb is definitely a straight shooter.

And I have the credentials to say so. :D

I have to get past the adorability factor with Tester, but his statement during the campaign that he didn't want to strengthen the Patriot Act but he wanted to get rid of it, that was all I needed to hear.

[Ashy Larry]

18. Video

In case anyone missed it, here is the video:

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN5rqlhelD0

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LHkL_3QVeI

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3s7hhhVIWg

[HappyWeasel]

19. Yeah, these candidates are the ones I have always been excited about.

I think these two are the posters of the new Democratic revolution to come.

[sendero]

20. I agree...

.. these guys are the real deal, just what this party needs IMHO.

[Cass]

21. It was a pleasure listening to them on MTP this morning. They both seem like they will do a very

fine job come January. Congrats to them both!

[Disturbed]

22. 100% improvement over the Assholes that they beat.

Both may have an impact to stave off the destruction of the Middle Class.

[Cass]

26. Agreed. The voters made the right choices this time around. nt

[annabanana]

23. Feel that?. . It's a fresh wind...

It feels good.

[democrank]

29. The interview was so refreshing.

Two plain speaking straight shooters who actually had some ideas. Really enjoyed listening to them.