Tonight, Jim Webb brought his message of hope, optimism, populism and respect for our constitutional rights to around 250 Arlington Democrats. Webb was introduced by Jay Fisette of the Arlington County Board, who endorsed Webb earlier today. According to Fisette, his endorsement of Webb was "not anti-Miller" but "pro-Webb." Fisette's decision came after he "got to know both" candidates. Why did Fisette choose to endorse Jim Webb? Many of the same reasons we've been articulating on this blog for months now:In addition, Fisette noted his "pragmatic streak," and that this pragmatism told him that "Webb is the ideal candidate this year." According to Fisette, "Webb will have broad appeal across the Commonwealth" and "can win in November" against George Allen. But most importantly, Fisette joked, Webb "came out standing from the Colbert Report" a few weeks ago, and that was impressive! :)
Seriously, though, Fisette believes that "it is time for people to return to the Democratic Party," and that Jim Webb can help accomplish this goal. Why? Because, according to Fisette, Webb has "instant credibility" in many ways - national security in particular - and will make an ideal candidate to run against George Allen. In other words, Jim Webb is George Allen's worst nightmare. To many of us, that alone would be enough reason to support Jim Webb. Fortunately, Webb is a compelling candidate in his own right, as demonstrated by his excellent and extremely well-received speech to the Arlington Democrats tonight.
In his own speech, Webb thanked the grassroots activists who helped persuade him to run, emphasizing that he is "not a career political guy." Instead, Webb said that he is a concerned citizen who "looked at where the country was after 9/11" and "got very worried." Webb asserted bluntly, "I was raised to stand my ground for things I believe in," and that includes bringing better leadership and decision making to Washington, DC.
Webb talked about how, if he is elected, he will bring a "different [life] experience" and a "different set of eyes" to the U.S. Senate. Webb expressed his disdain for "machine politics" and for politicians who just follow the party line, asserting that "we wouldn't be in Iraq right now" if we had had "different people in charge." People who think for themselves, in other words. People who understand national security, who "know these issues" like Webb does, and who won't be fooled if someone tries to feed them a line.
On economic fairness, Webb talked about how "we are in a period of great imbalance in this country." Webb repeated his oft-stated theme that America is "breaking into three pieces," with the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and the middle class "worse than stagnating." Webb spoke of "good jobs going overseas" and of a powerful "international elite" controlling the globalized economy.
On social issues, Webb asserted that "the government's power ends at your front door, unless there's a compelling reason" why it shouldn't. From that social libertarian philosphical position, Webb ends up as an interesting combination of pro-choice, pro-gay-rights, and pro-guns. On the "marriage amendment," Webb stated point blank that it is on the "wrong side of history" and the "wrong side of justice." In Webb's view, the amendment is also "just a terrible piece of work" that people need to be educated about. Webb added, "I'm committed to [fighting] this and I'm not gonna back away."
On rebuilding the country's infrastructure, Webb spoke powerfully of Hurricane Katrina as a "microcosm" of the Bush Administration's "failure." Webb noted that he just got back from New Orleans, where he was attending his mother-in-law's funeral this past weekend, and witnessed the devastation there first hand. Webb's anger was apparent as he spoke of how "if the national leadership had been paying attention, New Orleans would not have gone under." Webb also pointed to the "incompetents" filling the "mid levels" of the Bush Administration, and asserted that "how this thing was handled" constitutes a continuing "national shame."
Asked about why he was a Republican and why he became a Democrat, Webb talked about how he was a Democrat until 1976. At that time, like a lot of Vietnam veterans, he did not "feel welcome in the Democratic Party." However, Webb noted, he's "worked for people on both sides," including former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) in his 1992 run for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
Basically, Webb stated, he is a "Reagan Democrat." He also spoke of Andrew Jackson, the "true father of the modern Democratic Party," who vetoed renewal of the 2nd National Bank in 1832. According to Webb, this was one of the "most courageous act[s] in American history," since the Bank "would have created a permanent aristocracy" in America. Like Andrew Jackson, Jim Webb wants to fight for "people who have no voice," and he wants to do it in the Democratic Party. The audience of Arlington Democrats gave Webb several rounds of hearty applause, so obviously his message resonated. Now, it's time for that message to resonate across Virginia, and across the United States of America.
Second - Webb's comments in total are very motivating to read.
He is just what Virginia, and our country needs.
The next time somebody like tiponeill at dailykos goes all single-issue and attacks Webb as if he's not a real dem because of DADT or Gay Marriage, I'll remember this endorsement and tell him to have a coke and a smile and get onboard the winning team.
“A new report by the Congressional Research Service finds that the United States has spent as much on foreign assistance in Iraq during the last three years as it did during the entire seven-year reconstruction effort in Germany following World War II.
The report, obtained by the Federation of American Scientists, shows that the U.S. appropriated $28.9 billion in assistance to Iraq from FY03 to FY06. In comparison:
U.S. assistance to Germany totaled some $4.3 billion ($29.3 billion in 2005 dollars) for the years of direct military government (May 1945-May 1949) and the overlapping Marshall Plan years (1948/1949-1952).
Total U.S. assistance to Japan for the years of the occupation, from 1946-1952 was roughly $2.2 billion ($15.2 billion in 2005 dollars), of which almost $1.7 billion was grants and $504 million was loans.â€