Sen. Webb unfazed by Allen's entrance into 2012 Senate race

If Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) feels any added urgency to decide on his reelection plans now that former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) is officially in the race for his seat, he isn't showing it.

Asked about Allen's bid Tuesday, Webb said, "Today's no different than yesterday for me."

Allen is already slamming Webb for voting with "the Washington liberals like Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer," but Webb wouldn't engage him Tuesday.

"I have no comment on what George Allen is doing," Webb said on a conference call with reporters. "That's up to him."

The Democrat said he has not yet made a decision on whether to seek another term in 2012. His office said earlier this week that he will announce a decision before the end of the first quarter of the year. 

Webb also dismissed suggestions that waiting would hurt his reelection chances should he ultimately decide to run again, noting that he started his 2006 campaign just months before Election Day with "zero dollars" and "no campaign staff." 

Still, Virginia Democrats are worried that Webb's posture could hurt the party's chances of holding his Senate seat should he decide to retire rather than seek a second term.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine would be the party's first choice to run if Webb bowed out, but he has indicated he's not interested in a Senate race.