And here we go . . .

-Russert starts off with obvious question for Webb. Why did he endorse Allen for Senate in 2002. Webb essentially says that Allen has disappointed and the Republican party has abandoned various principles. Says nothing about why he wants to be a Democrat.
-Allen opens by saying Webb hates tax cuts and energy ideas . . . and maybe equality.
-Allen puts forward the notion that the entire world supported the Iraq war. Don't forget Poland.
-Allen starts with a human interest story, Russert's having none of this. He asks if Allen would have changed his vote if he had known there would be no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
-Allen's still punching. He calls Webb less militant than the French.
-Webb brings up an awkward reference to his Marine son and the fact that Webb served in Vietnam, while Allen did not. -Then he finally gets back on track explaining that his position is that more questions should have been asked.
-Allen: We shouldn't tuck tail and run. Turns out only Al Qaida and Jim Webb want us to do that.
-Allen has the Bush gift of not answering the question asked. Russert asks about the chaotic Anbar province, Allen answers that the Kurdish areas are running TV ads for investment firms. Maybe they need tax cuts?
-Much like the rest of the race, Allen is getting about 70 percent of the face time so far.
-Russert asks both whether we should increase troop levels. Allen meanders through the same answers he'd give for any question about Iraq. Webb actually gives a good answer. John Kerry take note: Give the clear statement first ("we don't have the troops to send") and then give the complex answer. Also don't bore people to death.
-Webb impresses with his knowledge of the complexities of the Middle East.
-Wow, Russert brings up Webb's appearance on Meet the Press in 1985. Turns out he was pro-draft. Now he just want's a tax cut incentive for soldiers to join. Supply side military?
-Webb quotes Eisenhower. So far Democrats seem pretty irrelavant. Check the transcript. Has any Democrat been mentioned?
-Russert shows the Iranian and Iraqi presidents "meeting, hugging, kissing". I suspect the question will be about gay marriage.
-The question to Allen is whether we are creating an extremist regime in Iraq. Allen basically says no and then goes on to talk about how they're having trouble with budgets (hey, they're just like us!). Military, oil and what not.
-Allen says that we should set up Iraq to run like Alaska. There would certainly be more bridges in Anbar.
-Allen puts forth the bizarre proposition that if you make a decision you should never second guess it.
-Webb's looking pretty good so far. Very knowledgable. Of course, this is the area where he should be strongest. Let's wait for gay marriage and anything about football.
-They're arguing about whether we should have bases in Iraq.
-Webb: "George has a fundamental misunderstanding of how the military is used". Nice.