Spotlight Shines Bright on Webb

[JI7]

<Just two months into a six year term and Senator Jim Webb is making his presence felt on the national scene.

It seems pictures of Senator Jim Webb with a microphone in his face or on the set of a Sunday morning talk show is becoming commonplace. The freshman Senator took office on January 4 of this year and since then has been making national headlines in just about everything he does.

"The legislation has been appropriate for the most part. I think you saw him swept into office on almost a single issue campaign, his opposition to the War in Iraq," said Matt Smyth from the UVa Center for Politics.

"He's got a lot of credibility. He is the former Secretary of the Navy. He's been in the Military. He is a decorated veteran. For him to be out there speaking for the Democrats on these issues related to the military is very beneficial," said Sean O'Brien of the Sorenson Institute.

Beneficial for both the Democrats and for Webb. The Democrats have used Webb as a face for the anti-war movement while Webb has used the spotlight to push his agenda, most notably war funding issues and pushing diplomatic talks with countries in the Mideast like Iran and Syria.

"He's able to talk about issues that are a natural fit for him rather than take on new ones and speak about things he might not have as much depth with," Smyth said.>


http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/news/headlines/6533802.html

[napi21]

1. I've been very impressed with Webb! He's avery good speaker,

and heis veryknowlegable on every subject I've heard him speak on. More than once, when I see his face on my TV, I say "There's a guy who's going to rise to great hights in the Dem Party."

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. I'm hoping he'll run for President someday.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I'm impressed with Jim Webb

He's not a liberal in the classical sense, but he's not aligned with the DLC either. In fact, I'd raise no objection whatsoever if his name was mentioned as Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate in '08. Stay tuned.

[waiting for hope]

4. Edwards/Webb

Now that's a combination!

[spooky3]

7. love it!

[AshevilleGuy]

12. That could do it!!! Tucker and Tweety would shoot themselves!

First, Edwards has to get the Dem establishment/power players to go along with it. Doubtful, I am very sorry to say.

[Monkeyman]

5. Our Vietnam Brother Webb will kick their butt taken names

[DemoVet]

8. F**kin'-A straight, my brother

He's the real real deal. Good luck trying to swiftboat him, rightwing scumbuckets! He'll rip your heads off and piss in your neck holes.

[spooky3]

6. I don't agree with Smyth's assessment of the "single issue campaign"

It's a gross oversimplification. Iraq played a part but so did disgust for his opponent, changes in the electorate, feelings about a variety of issues, Webb's good campaign ads and the late funding of his campaign, etc.

[OHdem10]

9. I have noticed When Webb does get short

times on Talk Shows , ie Hardball, LouDobbs etc. it
does always appear they wish to keep on the War issue.
At times he successfully wiggles a few seconds to
explain that he is interested Social Justice Issues,
ie, Trade Policy and loss of jobs, especially
the Gap betwwen Rich and Poor. If time permits
he explains this is why he became a Democrat.

I must admit it looks obvious at times they want
him on the war.

IMO, those social juestice issues make some uncomfortable
Webb has the confidence and character,I believe.
that in time he will get his full message out.

[williesgirl]

10. k&r for my Senator.

[autorank]

11. Webb is great...once again, he's underestimated in this article.

Recall his response to Bush's state of the union...disparity of salaries between workers and top management - hot damn; giving away US jobs through reckless free trade; and Iraq.

He's a real progressive. On race, he's right there, willing to deal with the issue and the common interests of working class citizens, rather than dividing them through bogus issues. That's huge. He's also an intellectual, in addition to being a soldier and leader.

He's the whole deal. Personally, I'd love to see Gore-Webb.

K&R