Webb and Allen Trade Barbs Over Who's the Bigger Patriot

"Rather than strategic plans to retreat, I believe we need strategic plans for success," Allen said at the American Legion event, according to the Associated Press.

Webb blamed the Bush administration for bungling the war and said the country needs new leadership to manage the fighting and get soldiers home.

"I've been greatly concerned that the invasion and occupation of Iraq have distracted our nation from its larger mission of defeating the forces of international terrorism," the AP reported Webb as saying.

On Sunday, "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos focused a segment of his show on the positions the two have taken on the Iraq war.

Referring to his early opposition to the conflict, Webb told Stephanopoulos, "I think there are a lot of people who don't want to be reminded that they were warned."

That prompted Allen to say that Webb is part of an "I-told-you-so caucus" that will turn voters off.

Behind the scenes, both camps have continued to raise money to fuel what is likely to be a barrage of television ads in the fall. Tomorrow the campaigns are scheduled to release their fundraising totals through June 30.

Allen will have a huge advantage, both sides said. His campaign coffers already had millions at the end of the last quarter, while Webb essentially was broke after winning the Democratic primary June 13. Whether Webb can raise enough money is an open question, though his advisers say help from labor unions, the state Democratic Party, national Democrats and other groups will help.

Meanwhile, Webb has a new ally: Mike Henry , who managed Kaine's campaign. He now runs an arm of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee that is normally barred by federal law from coordinating with individual campaigns.

But Henry has decided to recuse himself from any decision-making on Webb's behalf in his DSCC job, freeing him to work closely with the Webb campaign. His knowledge of Virginia -- and how to beat a well-funded Republican -- will no doubt come in handy for Webb.