The year 2005 is almost over, which means that it's time to get serious. I'm not talking about your New Years' resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, or start working out. I'm talking about the Democratic Party coming up with a serious challenger for Sen. George Allen, up for re-election in 2006. Here's George Allen's record in a nutshell, according to Project Vote Smart
Abortion/right to choose: ZERO
Civil Liberties: ZERO
Civil Rights: ZERO-17% on Arab Americans, African Americans, Gay Americans, and Hispanic Americans
Environment: ZERO
Family and Children Issues: ZERO (from National Parent Teacher Association)
Foreign Policy: ZERO
Labor: 17%
Senior and Social Security Issues: ZERO (from Alliance for Retired Americans)
I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the gory details. The point is that George Allen is a big ZERO and has got to go. So far, the Democrats have not come up with anyone to challenge him. At Raising Kaine, we have heard several Democrats' names bandied about to take on Allen, but nothing really solid yet. Also, several of the names have left at least a few of us underwhelmed, not so much with the quality of the candidate as with the person's a) likelihood to run; and b) chance in hell of beating George Allen.
However, there is ONE potential candidate who several of us believe would be a strong choice, if he chooses to run. Currently, he is reported to be seriously thinking about it. That man would be former Navy Secretary James Webb. This guy is extremely impressive: first in his class at the Marine Corps Officer?s Basic School in Quantico, Virginia; earned the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts in Vietnam; has a JD from Georgetown University; has written six best-selling novels; has even won an Emmy Award as a journalist. Who wouldn't want THAT resume? Also, this is also a man who has spoken out against the Iraq war at least since September 2002, when he asked the question, ?Do we really want to occupy Iraq for the next 30 years?? Smart guy!
Yes, James Webb used to be a Republican, but now he's a Democrat and several of us here at Raising Kaine believe he'd be a super-strong candidate against George Allen this coming November. Honestly, we feel that of all the names mentioned as potential Democratic Senatorial candidates, James Webb would stand the best chance BY FAR of defeating George Allen, or at least of giving him a heck of a run for his money. And, to be blunt, weakening Allen for 2008 is a top priority for "Fighting Democrats" like us; ask yourself, do you want George "let's enjoy kicking their soft teeth down their whining throats" Allen to be your next President? Right, I didn't think so.
So, how do we convince James Webb to throw his hat in the ring? For starters, we tell him how much we want him to run, we let him know how much we'll HELP him if he runs, we DRAFT him to run! Just like a bunch of us did with Wes Clark back in 2004.
Draft an old soldier for another chance to serve his country? That's exactly what several of us at Raising Kaine intend to do - persuade James Webb to run against George Allen for Senate. That's why we have set up a petition to Draft James Webb for Senate. That's why we're asking you, if you want James Webb to take on Allen, to click here and tell him how much you want him as your candidate next November. Thanks.
P.S. Just to be clear, this petition is by several members of Raising Kaine and does not represent the unanimous views of everyone involved here (some prefer to wait for the Democrats to nominate a candidate). As Democrats, we of course have a diversity of viewpoints, or as some people might say, a variety of interesting "cats" to "herd." Ha ha. But unlike the Republicans, we believe in Democracy here and majority rules. Draft Webb! Draft Webb! Draft Webb!