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Sen. James Webb (D–Va.) has decided not to run for reelection in 2012. So what does the Democratic grass roots in Virginia think of this? Here’s Virginia email pal #1:

Crap. I know he wasn’t the greatest advocate for progressive causes, but Webb was still a D. Now, he will relinquish his seat to the guy he beat 6 years ago, George Allen. No Democrat can beat Allen in 2012 unless he self-immolates again. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a Republican throwback Allen truly is.

That’s not very encouraging. Maybe Virginia email pal #2 will be a little more optimistic:

This really pisses me off. He could have kicked Allen’s ass. He has let a lot of people down and has probably handed another Senate seat to the Republicans. What a selfish prick.

OK then! Looks like Webb has a wee bit of fence mending to do.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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