Republican incumbent Sen. George Allen announced his concession yesterday in the U.S. Senate race, making his Democratic challenger Jim Webb the next senator from the Commonwealth.
"This season, the people of Virginia, who I call the owners of government, have spoken, and I respect their decision," Allen said in his speech. "The Bible teaches us that there is a time and place for everything, and today I have called and congratulated Jim Webb and his team for their victory."
Allen said he doubted that a recount would change the result of the election. He also pledged to help Webb transition into the Senate.
Webb responded from Arlington late yesterday afternoon, saying he was excited about this opportunity.
"As we move forward, we will do our best to stop the politics, the divisiveness, the character assassination and the distractions," Webb said in his address. "We will begin the process of putting this country back on track."
Politics Prof. Paul Freedman said he was surprised that the concession came so fast but noted that it was unlikely that a recount would have changed the outcome.
"It is probably right that it would have been unlikely to scrounge up an additional 7,000 votes in a recount," Freedman said.
Even though few political analysts would have predicted Webb winning the election six months ago, Freedman attributed the victory to the fact that Virginia is in a political transition.
"All of this confirms that Virginia is a purple state," he said. "Virginia is simultaneously turning blue while staying red."
College Republicans Chair Amber VerValin expressed her dissatisfaction with Allen's concession.
"This is upsetting for the nation," VerValin said. "I believe that Senator-elect Jim Webb will not do a good job."
VerValin acknowledged that Allen could have handled some parts of the campaign differently, although she blames the loss on other factors, specifically the media and Politics Prof. Larry Sabato.
"Professor Sabato repeated hearsay when he got on national television and said these racist things that he had never actually heard," VerValin said. "He did a great disservice to the voters and the University of Virginia."
University Democrats President Katie Cristol said she was thrilled with Allen's concession.
"Webb is eminently qualified, and he is going to do a terrific job," Cristol said.
Cristol said she was also pleased with Allen's political poise.
"Allen was very gracious," Cristol said. "I am glad, for the sake of the state, that he is not going to make this a protracted legal battle."
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