Elections Blog

The Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Virginia has been a strange race, dominated by talk of endorsements. On Tuesday, there were two more. Former Reagan Republican Jim Webb kicked off the day with an endorsement from Del. Donald S. McEachin, a black lawmaker who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general a few years back. Harris Miller The endorsement was designed to respond to accusations from former lobbyist Harris Miller that Webb doesn't support affirmative action. Several other black lawmakers have backed Miller, but McEachin insisted that Webb is totally committed to affirmative action. "It doesn't get any better than that," McEachin said. James Webb Miller responded later in the day with his own endorsement: Kate Michelman, the former head of NARAL. In a conference call with reporters, Michelman sang Miller's praises. "Harris has a respect for women that goes beyond political posturing," she said.