Today, the moment we've all been waiting for: James H. Webb, Jr. kicks off what promises to be an historic, powerful, and ultimately successful campaign for U.S. Senate from Virginia. Why is Webb running? According to his press release:
I am running for the U.S. Senate because I have serious doubts about the direction of our country. The current leadership in the White House and in Congress has failed Americans, especially Virginians. It's time to get back on track.
Man, you can say THAT again! Let's do a quick review of the past 5 years under Republican "leadership":
*A rapid transition from huge surpluses in the Clinton era to massive and never-ending deficits under Bush and Company. All so the Republicans can give huge tax breaks to their rich cronies.
*Failure to listen to Clinton Administration warnings about Al Qaeda.
*Failure to catch Osama bin Laden after 9/11.
*The Iraq debacle, the premature Bush declaration of "mission accomplished," juvenile taunts like "bring it on," etc.
*Absolutely no progress on curing our "oil addiction." I guess that one wasn't talked about in the super-secret Cheney Energy Task Force.
*Spying on Americans, while simultaneously "outing" a covert CIA agent (Valerie Plame, the wife of Ambassador Joe Wilson) because of a political vendetta.
*Dividing, not uniting, America.
*The Hurricane Katrina disaster: "Bushie, you're doin' a heck of a job!"
*The Medicare Part D debacle.
*Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, "extraordinary rendition," and turning America into an accomplice to torture.
*Melting polar ice caps, but no action on global warming.
*Warrantless spying on Americans.
*Right-wing nominees to our courts, with the goal of taking away women's reproductive rights.
And on and on we go. Where we stop, nobody knows. Unless, of course, we change course sharply this November, by electing totally new leaders like James H. Webb, Jr who can get us "back on track." The great thing about James Webb is that he is an independent thinker, not bound by traditional partisan labels. Yes, he's running as a Democrat. And yes, he is committed to the Democratic Party. But, like many of us, he considers himself as coming from an older, deeper tradition of the Democratic Party - Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman - than we see in its current, "interest group politics" manifestation.
Frankly, if you love the current direction that the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and the United States of America are heading, then by GOD don't vote for James Webb. If, however, you think we're running off course and need major changes to get us "back on track," then James Webb is your man - an American Hero to help save America from Bush, Cheney, and the "culture of corruption" Abramoff/DeLay Republicans.
Of course, if you are happy with government of lobbyists, by hacks, and for career politicians, then by GOD do NOT vote for James Webb. If, on the other hand, you'd rather return to America's strongest roots - "government of the people, by the people, for the people" - then I urge you to wholeheartedly support James Webb. Come join Webb's growing corps of citizen-activists in making sure that: a) Webb is the Democratic nominee this spring; and b) that Webb defeats George "Urban Cowboy" Allen and becomes the next great Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia this fall.
Fortunately, James Webb has once again answered the call to serve his country in its hour of need. But please remember, James Webb can't do it alone. Sure, he has outstanding advisors - Bob Kerrey, Steve Jarding, Dave "Mudcat" Saunders - a superb Campaign Manager (Jessica VandenBerg from the Clark campaign), and other talented staff (for a complete list, click here), he also needs YOU. This ex-Marine is ready to charge that proverbial hill, but he needs some heavy artillery support, and he needs it RIGHT NOW if he's going to take out the special interests and the "culture of corruption" in Washington DC.
In sum, if you believe that this race is critical to the future of our nation, that we desperately need to move in a different and BETTER direction, and that James Webb is the man for the job, then join our cause! For more information, please see the official "Webb site", the unofficial "Draft James Webb" sitea group of grassroots Democratic activists started back in the darkest days of winter, and the Webb2006 Yahoo group. Please help James Webb any way you can. The time is short, the situation is urgent, and a great nation's future - OUR nation! - is at stake.