Invariably, Senator Allen displayed a far greater command of the details. Jim Webb's every answer comes down to "I don't like the Iraq war, and I'll do whatever the Democratic Party does". Jim Webb hasn't really developed a policy so much as he has hitched a ride with the Democratic Party.

Senator Allen hasn't just explained his policies to Virginians, he's implemented them. And they worked.

Another friend of George Allen, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-7th) also drew attention to Allen's understanding of the policies and issues, including the Craney Island issue:

"Virginia's taxpayers are not fictional characters in a novel, they are real people who will be adversely affected by Jim Webb's proposed tax increases. I was stunned that Jim Webb didn't know that more than three million Virginians benefited from the tax relief George Allen, John Warner and I worked to pass, and he wants to roll back.

"I guess I shouldn't have been, considering he didn't know the positive impact the Craney Island project would have on Hampton Roads."

Webb

The Webb campaign's press release focused on Webb's success in clearly articulating the contrast between the two candidates in both style and on the issues:

In a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters, Jim Webb clearly articulated the need to change course on issues of foreign and domestic policy. In contrast, George Allen repeatedly went over his allotted time, failed to understand the dangerous issues in the Senkaku islands and relied on the same, tired clichés prepared by the White House that he has depended on for his entire term in the Senate.

Webb closed by describing the choice offered between him and Allen. "You are being offered a choice between two visions of political America. I believe strongly that power in our society should flow from the bottom up," said Webb. "We are a society that believes strongly in fairness, inclusiveness, and national greatness. We need leaders who will work every day to live up to the expectations of our people. And if you elect me to the United States Senate, I will be that person."

Lowell, live blogging from the Webb war room, summarized Webb's closing, emphasizing the campaign as a referendum on the Bush administration:

Webb:  I look forward to working with John Warner.  Absurd things Allen has said.  Referendum on this Administration - Allen is a blind supporter.  This will mark a chance for many people to return to the Democratic Party. Old labels of liberal and conservative no longer fully apply.  The Republican Party has lost its way in the area of national security.  "Come home" to the Democratic Party.  Two different visions. Power should flow from the bottom up to the top.  Speak on behalf of those who have no voice in the corridors of power.  The American people need their Senator to be their lobbyist.

You can say that again, Jim!

Live from the Blogosphere

Several other blogs provided live running commentary.

Astute and humorous line by line commentary comes from Lost Cheerio, blogging at Keep Your Eye on the Kids, out of Hampton Roads. Her description of the opening statements continues the "contrast" theme described above:

George Allen: Note: Someone has told the man to smile while he talks. It looks bloody painful. Smirkety smirk-smirk, smirkysmirk smirk. Allen reports all the wonderful things the senate has done during his tenure, which takes about 30 seconds, then he gets right to sticking a Hillary/Kerry mask on Webb, coupled with a hairy and hot tax-raiser suit. He trusts free people and free enterprise.

Jim Webb: Webb obviously eats nails for breakfast. I'm surprised this dude stopped with saying that women shouldn't be in combat. He looks like he's a hair away from asking the League of Women Voters for a chicken pot pie. He criticizes the government. He talks kind of like James T. Kirk, and if anyone told him to smile while speaking, Webb likely broke open that person's head and fed her brains to the dog.

Other live blogs with running debate commentary: CT Soapbox, the Open Thread - VA - Senate Debate at Daily Kos, Half Changed World, Live Blogging TV, and Virginia Conservative Analysis.

The Blogs Say Webb Won...

Jonathan Singer at MyDD argues that the contrast between Webb and Allen on the substance, demonstrate why Webb is the better candidate:

After Sen. Allen attempted to tie the Iraq War to the so-called War on Terror and parrot the most oft-used GOP talking points on the war, Secretary Webb got up and delivered a stinging blog to Allen: Instead of throwing out "propagandistic phrases" like "stay the course" and "cut and run", the debate should actually center on figuring out the best policy to alleviate the problems on the ground in the country.

In a move that may shore up the Democratic base, Anonymous Is a Woman argues that Webb made clear he is a Democrat with his commitment to economic justice:

He was the one Democrat, I thought, who could make Virginians feel safe on national security issues.

But was he actually a Democrat?

Tonight's debate laid that question to rest. While Allen spoke in tired platitudes and tried to raise fears about tax increases (in a state that has one of the lowest tax rates in the nation and that also has been voted one of the best run in fiscal managment while under a Democratic governor), Webb time and again showed his commitment to economic justice for ordinary middle class citizens.

In concluding Webb won, F.T. Rea at SLANTBlog says Allen was weaker than in prior debates:

How many times did Allen invoke the name of Hillary Clinton? Was it double figures? It certainly seemed more than I heard him say "George Bush." Maybe I'm wrong. Allen managed to work Ted Kennedy in a few times, as well.

Most important -- Allen kept his temper. He spoke exclusively to his base, saying I'm OK, don't worry. We're still in this together. He mentioned 9/11 and lowering taxes whenever he could. Yet, Allen seemed more self-conscious than I remember him being in past debates.

On a zero-to-10 scale Allen's overall performance gets a five from SLANTblog.

Dan Kachur at Disturbing the Universe points out that trying to hang Hillary et al around Webb's neck isn't the best move of late. If we're to judge a candidate by the company he keeps, Allen has Foley around his neck standing with him.

Dan Sullivan at VB Dems Blog argues that Allen's emphasis on fear tactics prove he's on the defensive.

Richmond War Room concludes things did not go as well as Allen might have hoped:

In short, the birdies inform me that Allen came off as being mortally unprepared and with a classic Monty Pythonesque "run away!" after the festivities things are not looking good.

More to come later, but according to the birdies the quote of the night is: "the bell has rung, George"

The Blogs Say Allen Won...

The Mason Conservative argues the contrast in style and substance benefited Allen:

Allen was poised, on message, and clear. Webb stammered hawed through many of his answers. When Allen would talk specifics, Webb would either say (a) its George Bush's fault, or (b) John Warner likes me, too.

Webb was much better on Meet The Press, but I think the months of attack have sharpened Allen's wits and gotten him more focused. Its the best I've seen Allen this campaign.

At one point in the debate, when Webb was offered his 30 second rebuttal, he passed. As The Ward View argues that drew more attention to the contrast favoring Allen:

Of course I'm biased, but I certainly thought the Senator was better informed.  Both men appeared a bit nervous, but Webb had a lot, I mean a lot of "ums" in there.  And at one point, rather than offer a rebuttal he actually passed up his 30 seconds.  Out of ideas so soon?

Publius, at The Virginian Federalist notes that the candidate who controls the spin wins the debate, and argues that Webb has little to work with here:

The spin starts as each side seeks to prove that the other failed and they represented the values of Virginians.  The problem for Webb is there was not much in his favor.  He did not push the points he could win on and he skirted all the others.  The Marriage Amendment question is going to be a determining factor in peoples minds.  The media won't pick up on it, but those that here about it will be affected.  Virginia is PRO-Marriage.  Webb, to save face, should have skirted the issue, but he took it head on.  It is going to make him look bad to Evangelicals and African Americans.  The morality vote should not be underestimated.  

hr_conservative at Virginia Conservative Analysis enthusiastically argues that Allen struck the right balance between going at Webb and demonstrating his strength on the issues:

THAT'S IT, THAT'S ALL. ALLEN WON, HANDS DOWN!

GEORGE ALLEN STAYED AWAY FROM TOO MUCH AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGNING ON WEBB'S WOMEN ISSUES, AND HE DID A GREAT JOB! HE SHOWED A FANTASTIC GRASP OF ISSUES!

The Tale of Two Islands...

During their first debate in July, Allen asked Webb for his position on Craney Island, an issue of particular significance to Hampton Roads voters. Webb was clearly caught off guard. Tonight's question from Webb on Allen's position on the Senkaku Islands was payback. Allen was clearly caught off guard.

While Webb's campaign argues Allen's response was disturbing considering Allen's position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, others say the move may backfire on Webb.

PAXALLES calls it a potential Gore moment:

Mr. Webb used one of his questions to Senator Allen it seemed clearly to trap him when asking about islands near China and Japan that are rich in natural resources.  It was an Al Gore moment and not the most attractive as it is clear he is intelligent and articulate.

Jim Hoeft points out:

To his largest audience, Webb played the "gotcha" card to Sen. Allen. But he played it poorly. Unfortunately for Webb, the preponderance of the voting public has no clue where the whatever-they-are islands are off the coast of Taiwan either. For most of us, we know there is tension between Taiwan and China and that the region, which includes those islands, is all a source of conflict. Nobody cares about specific islands, just that Taiwan and China settle their diffferences.

But, I bet lots of people voting in Hampton Roads care about Craney Island.

Charles at Two Conservatives seconds that impression.

Other Things the Blogs Say...

Live Blogging TV argues the debate was prime-time lineup quality:

CBS should pick this up as a mid-season replacement. Eventually, each candidate might realize that the other isn't so bad after all. Then they could get all of their black, latino, and women friends together and have a party.

Norman at One Man's Trash thinks the debate settled on thing for certain -- panelist Ric Young should be the next Senator from Virginia.

There's Always Someone Who Says...

No One Wins. Deeming it a lousy debate, Rick Howell says neither side should claim victory:

....it's difficult to see how either side can claim to have "won" that thing. George Allen had that smart-assed half smirk on his face all night, and Jim Webb spent much of the evening seeming stiff and uncomfortable.

There was certainly no new ground broken by either candidate. Neither candidate achieved much nor changed any minds. Not by these performances.