Today Chuck Schumer and the DSCC joined John Kerry and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid in endorsing Jim Webb for U.S. Senate saying that he represented "the best hope" for defeating George Allen.  

Last Week John Kerry made clear that "we need to beat George Allen." He said he was supporting Jim Webb because he was the one Democrat in the race that could achieve that goal.

The National Democrats have now closed ranks and joined over 60 Virginia Democratic leaders in support of Webb (see below).  There has rarely been a race with so much at stake.  Nominating Jim Webb will make this the most followed race in the Nation and will boost Warner's prospects for a 2008 run.

For more information or to make a contribution to the defeat of George Allen, visit www.webbforsenate.com.  

Please forward this to other Democrats, especially if they live elsewhere in Virginia.  All indications are that Webb will win by a wide margin in Northern Virginia, but he is not as well known elsewhere and it may be close in those areas.  Your vote is important!
Democratic Committee Chairs Endorsing Jim Webb:

Chairwoman Sara Braaten, Bedford City Democratic Committee
Chairman Roy Dye, Greene County Democratic Committee
Chairman Mark Brooks, Cumberland County Democratic Committee
Chairman Joe Stanley, Franklin County Democratic Committee
Chairman Danny Edwards, Dickenson County Democratic Committee
Chairman Thomas Long, Augusta County Democratic Committee
Chairman Corey Hernandez, Isle of Wight County Democratic Committee
Chairman Shawn Becker, Grayson County Democratic Committee
Chairman Thomas Brewster, Tazewell County Democratic Committee
Chairwoman Kimberly Chiapetto, Floyd County Democratic Committee
"Jim Webb is an honest, intelligent Democrat who is the perfect candidate for Virginia," said Mark Brooks, the Cumberland County Democratic Chair. "We can't afford to elect a do-nothing politician to the Senate. Here in Virginia, we need someone who will actually work for the interests of the Commonwealth's citizens, not just the lobbyist friends of George Allen."

"Jim Webb is an outstanding leader, a man of thoughtful independence and moral courage," said Roy Dye, the Greene County Democratic Chair. "He embodies the finest traditions of a true Virginia soldier and public servant. As a Senator, he will be a champion for all of us."

"These community leaders will play a critical role in motivating the Democratic base to defeat George Allen," said Webb. "I'm honored and thankful for the support of these ten Democratic Committee Chairs."

"The endorsements of these ten Democratic Committee Chairs are a sign that the Virginia Democratic Base is rallying behind Jim Webb," said Kristian Denny Todd, spokeswoman for Webb.

Jim Webb is a decorated Marine, former Secretary of the Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense, an award-winning author and widely respected journalist. Webb was awarded, among other decorations, the Navy Cross and Silver Star for valor as a Marine.

Since beginning his campaign for Senate in March, Webb has secured support from numerous Virginia elected officials, national elected officials, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, the Vietnamese Veterans Coalition, and high-ranking military officials.

Virginia Public Officials:
Former VA Congresswoman and `05 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Leslie Byrne
Retired VA Congressman Owen Pickett
Democratic Congressional Nominee Al Weed
Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
Commonwealth Senator Phil Puckett
Commonwealth Senator Patsy Ticer
Commonwealth Delegate and `01 Democratic Attorney General nominee Donald McEachin
Commonwealth Delegate Jim Shuler
Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
Dickenson County Commissioner of the Revenue Ronnie Robbins
Charlottesville Councilor-Elect Dave Norris
Page County Treasurer C.R. Suddith
Washington County Treasurer Fred Parker
Former Commonwealth Senator Emilie Miller
Former Commonwealth Senator Madison Marye
Former Commonwealth Delegate Joan Munford
Former Commonwealth Delegate David Brickley
Former Commonwealth Delegate Marian Van Landingham
Prince William County Democratic Committee Finance Chair Harry Wiggins
Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette
Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola
Arlington County School Board Member Ed Fendley
Arlington County School Board Member Mary Hynes
Arlington County School Board Member Libby Garvey
Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary
Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy
Former Fairfax County Supervisor Rufus Phillips
Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
Fairfax County School Board Member Catherine Belter
Former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Member Lilla Richards
Alexandria Vice Chairman of the School Board Charles Wilson
National Elected Officials:
Senator John Kerry, 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin
Senator Christopher Dodd, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference
Senator Carl Levin, Ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee
Senator Ken Salazar
Senator Tim Johnson
Former Senator Max Cleland
Former U.S. Senator and Member of 9/11 Commission Bob Kerrey
Congressman John Murtha
Retired United States Military Officials:
Retired Army General and `04 Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark
Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Joseph Hoar
Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Tony Zinni
Retired USMC Lt. General and former Commander of Operations, J-3 Staff Gregory Newbold
Retired USMC Lt. General Frank Petersen, the highest-ranking African American in USMC history
Organizations:
Sheet Metal Workers International Association
Vietnamese-American Veterans Coalition
Laborers' International Union
Senior Members of Sen. Chuck Robb's Staff:
Tom Lehner - Chief of Staff (1993-2001), Sen. Robb
Susan Platt - Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate `94
Susan Albert Carr - Scheduler, Gov. Robb; Legislative Aide and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
Ridge Schuyler - Legislative Director, Sen. Robb
Peggy Wilhide - Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
Julia Sutherland - Gov. Robb Press office; Press Secretary, Robb for Senate `88; Press Secretary, Sen. Robb
Rhett Walker - Deputy Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate `94
John DiBiase - Advance Director, Robb for Senate `94
Bryson Monteleone - Assistant to Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate, `94
C.R. Suddith - Controller, Robb for Senate `88; Senate Aide, 89-90; Deputy Treasurer Robb for Senate `94
Louise Ware - Campaign Staff, Gov. Robb; Campaign Staff, Sen. Robb
Straw Polls:
Won the Fairfax County Democratic Straw Poll 58%-42%
Won the Prince William County Democratic Straw Poll 57%-43%
Won the Newport News Democratic Straw Poll 77%-23%