Webb Opens Race to Replace Allen

[cal04]

Ex-Reagan Aide Criticizes Ethics in Washington, Iraq War
Democrat James Webb officially kicked off his campaign for the U.S. Senate in this conservative corner of Virginia on Tuesday, offering a strongly populist indictment of the Bush administration and pledging to seek an end to the war in Iraq and a "culture of corruption" in Washington.

Webb, a former Republican who served briefly as President Ronald Reagan's secretary of the Navy, didn't mention his Democratic opponent in the June 13 primary, Harris Miller, and didn't dwell much on Sen. George Allen (R), who is seeking a second term. But he scalded the Bush administration and a Republican Congress that he said had sent "other people's kids to war and other people's kids to bad schools."

Webb, 60, has never run for political office before and has a mixed background of support for both parties -- he voted for President Bush in 2000 and even endorsed Allen when he was elected to the Senate six years ago. But Webb was an early opponent of the Iraq invasion, and his military credentials -- he's a decorated Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War -- make him to some Democrats and an enthusiastic base of liberal bloggers an attractive candidate against the conservative Allen.

"We have a lot of work to do and a lot of cleaning up to do," he told his supporters in Gate City. "Number one is to end the war in Iraq and refocus our military." Webb said it was not contradictory to support the troops and urge an end to the war. He told his audience that his son, also a Marine, is schedule to be deployed to Iraq this summer.
"My objection to the war is not aimed at my country but at the administration that has chosen to wage this war, an administration that has muddied the truth, made mistake after mistake and refused to accept responsibility," he said.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/25/AR2006042500919.html

[blue neen]

1. I hope Virginians are paying attention to this race.

George "Helmet Hair" Allen has got to go.

It sounds like Webb is qualified for the office.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I like Webb. I wish Warner were running against Allen instead of for pres,

but since he chose to deny us that (near) slam dunk to deny Allen the seat, I like Webb's chances a lot.

[MH1]

6. I'll second the second part of your subject line.

I really, really wish Warner were running against Allen.

I don't like Webb much for what he did in 2004 to John Kerry (see my post below).

[NCarolinawoman]

3. I would LOVE to see a debate between Webb and Allen.

I read that Allen idolizes Ronald Reagan and tries to come across in the same way. (so-called sunny disposition, etc.) Webb could say, "George, I knew Ronald Reagan, I was his Secretary of the Navy, and YOU ARE NO Ronald Reagan. And by the way, why did you vote for that dumb war that my son has to fight in?"


:D

[wiley]

4. Webb will Win

[MH1]

5. Be aware

of what Webb wrote in February 2004 concerning John Kerry and Vietnam - previewing the lies the Swift Liars would later spew.

Check out the links at jameswebb.com: "Veterans Face Conundrum: Kerry or Bush? " and " VIETNAM: Why We Fought & Why We Would Do It Again". (near the bottom of the main page)

If you don't get why a Kerry supporter or anti-war veteran would be extremely concerned at the prospect of James Webb in the Senate - re-read what Kerry actually said in 1971, and try to square that with how Webb portrayed it. And ask why Webb would have done that.

Be aware. Just sayin'. (there is another Democrat in the race. I don't know who is better - I only suggest that people consider carefully what is revealed about Webb by the information provided above.)

[Stinky The Clown]

7. File this in the 'for what its worth' category .......

I'm of the same era as Webb and Kerry and also served at that time.

And **at that time** recall Kerry's rising profile in the antiwar movement. Indeed, I recall it very well. I also recall many vets who could not bring themselves to tolerate him, let alone forgive him. It was **their** war and they felt that he undermined and devalued what they volunteered to do. To this day, some are unable to let go of that.

Few are as virulent as the swiftboaters, to be sure, but its always there, like an unhealing scab that gets picked really, really easily. To this day, I know a few otherwise pretty progressive people who, on that one point, couldn't support Kerry in 04.

I know this is irrational and I'm neither condoning nor defending it. But its a fact. I forgive it in the vets I know. Apart from this one issue, they're as on our side as you or I.

[MH1]

8. Thanks for the understanding reply.

Just to clarify. I do try to be compassionate with those who misunderstood what Kerry and VVAW were about. I realize that the twisting and revisionism that was applied immediately at the time and continues to this day, make it hard for some to see the truth.

The reason this is a bigger problem with Webb is because of what he did with it in 2004. I feel that he had a responsibility to be damn sure of the truth of what he was saying before he used those awful words. Yet if you read what he wrote, and you know what Kerry actually said in 1971, you can only figure a) he didn't do due diligence before writing that piece, or b) he failed to comprehend what Kerry was saying because of either not being very bright or (more likely) being blinded by emotion. In any case what he wrote was awful, and he didn't need to write it in the first place, and it did indeed presage what the Swift Liars would later do.

I can forgive the attitude in vets who keep their feelings to themselves and their associates, and don't use the power of a past high government position to spread distortions to undermine the Democratic nominee for president. I might be able to forgive Webb now anyway if he would address this issue and show some willingness to accept that he could be wrong; if he would reach out to Kerry and make the effort to set their differences aside - Kerry is that kind of a man that I have no doubt he would welcome such an overture. But it seems Webb hasn't, and won't.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. ".... if he would reach out to Kerry and make the effort ....."

I agree. That would be the right thing to do .... particularly by dint of the fact that Kerry's a life-long Dem and former (and maybe future) standard-bearer for the party while Webb is, to be sure, the new guy on the block.

Again, I like Webb. But I am not so blinded as to not wonder if his even being a Dem is for pure politial expediency. That said, I can also see why he'd switch parties. The right side of our party these days to the right of what used to be the old Republican party, prior to its take-over by the neocons and talibornagains.