I just got back from James Webb+óGé¼Gäós Roanoke stop on the Operation Take Back Virginia tour. Entertained by the Locust Mountain Boys bluegrass band, a packed house at the Market Atrium heard Webb deliver a powerful description of where he came from, why he was running for the United States Senate and his vision for Virginia and America. My expectations were modest, knowing that he is new to politics and campaigning.
What I heard was a coherent description of an inclusive America that looks after all of it+óGé¼Gäós people. What I heard was an inspiring resolve to confront the incompetence and greed that restrains American and her rightful place before all nations. This guy is good.
From his humble origins to his many accomplishments you might just enjoy Webb+óGé¼Gäós company for the chance to hear the tale. Army Air Corp brat, Marine Corps, Pentagon, Congress, Writer, Historian. But this is about more than the bona fides. Webb seems to be feeding and growing stronger by the day. His list of issues has grown and his positions are solidifying. You can see that he is warming to the task and enjoying the chance to rally anyone that will listen. And he had an enthusiastic audience estimated at 75 people.
This was blunt talk and a call to higher aspirations. +óGé¼+ôYou can support the troops and criticize the Administration; indeed it is the American way+óGé¼-¥. The blatant abuse of Presidential power and a do-nothing Congress were both targets. His promise to stand up and fight for accountability might sound like mere words, unless you heard them spoken by Jim Webb. This guy is a force to be reckoned with.
Everything about his life story conveys his connection to the people that have built America. Farmers, truck drivers, TV repairmen, fellow marines +óGé¼GÇ£ they are all part of where he came from and who he is. People that did their job, worked hard, served, and deserve the care of their leaders and a grateful nation. Skilled foreign policy that guards the blood and treasure of our commonwealth. Fair wages, affordable health care, and freedom from a coercive and invasive government are their due.
+óGé¼+ôSome say that the train has left the station for free trade,+óGé¼-¥ says Webb. +óGé¼+ôI say that the corporations that are riding that train need to pay more for their ticket+óGé¼-¥. +óGé¼+ôI will be the anti-outsourcing Senator+óGé¼-¥.
It is hard to believe that this champion worked for Ronald Reagan. It helps you to understand that there are people of principal and good fiber serving in all administrations. And like the generals that are now stepping forward to set the record straight on Iraq, James Webb must feel a certain sadness to see the Republican Party get it so wrong.
Where is the fiscal responsibility? +óGé¼+ôThe national debt has grown by 1/3 during this administration+óGé¼-¥, say Webb. +óGé¼+ôThe nation is splitting into 3 pieces, those doing unbelievably well, those in the middle being squeezed by stagnant wages, and those at the bottom in danger of permanent poverty+óGé¼-¥.
We face grave problems in America and the world. Worse than at anytime in my half-century of perspective. Worse than Nixon. We have a criminally incompetent Executive, a negligent rubber-stamp Republican controlled Legislature, and a highly unstable world economy guided by greedhead, selfish politics and a monkey on our back called oil. The quality of Presidential leadership has never been worse. America as a superpower is showing a poor example of how power is wielded.
How can a Dumb-As-A-Post fool like George Allen become Virginia+óGé¼Gäós Senator? I suppose the answer is because we put him there. We either believed that he had the qualifications to sit in our highest legislative chamber, or we did not give the full measure of our effort to keep him from it.
Now we have another chance to make it right. If James Webb can change his mind about who best represents America+óGé¼Gäós highest aspirations, and once more step up to service, then we all can answer our conscience and step up the effort for change. Let+óGé¼Gäós return this nation to a place where an unemployed textile plant worker gets the same care and attention from our government as does the CEO of Exxon.
Look back the span of time to the first days of the Revolution, to the call from Philadelphia and the Board of War for citizens to assemble and fight. That is our heritage and our debt. Pull on your work boots, roll up your sleeves and do what America has always done in a tough spot: Take Back Virginia, Take Back America. We have a leader, his name is Webb, Get up and Fight!
And then there is the Republican Fear and Smear machine. I can can smell the rancid smoke of swiftboaters assembling on the payroll of George Allen. I mean, what doe he have to run on beyond his record of rubber-stamping 97% of George Bush's policies? His record is mirror of a failed president. He has nowhere to go but ugly. A nasty little boy of privelege about to be brought to task.
James Webb understands the importance of keeping America the land of opportunity where hard work is respected and rewarded and people dare to dream of a middle class life for themselves and their children.
James Webb is one of us. He holds our values not elitist values. He has worked his way up through honest sincere effort. He understands the struggles of the middle and working classes and he sees us as the backbone of this country -- not the smug elites who think the United States and American government exists for their benefit alone.
More than just the candidate who will fight the outsourcing of middle class jobs, James Webb is the candidate fighting to keep the American Dream alive.
That story conveys many things:
--Webb has pride in his humble roots.
--Webb is comfortable in his own skin.
--Your life is an example and can be an inspiration.
--Providing opportunities to EVERY citizen is the core of the American Experiment. It has yielded greatness.
Red Neck, White Collar, & Blue Collar. ;-)
After the speech, the Virginia Tech Young Democrats (myself included) got to go to a bar (Awful Arthur's) and hang out with Jim and Mudcat. I also talked "Southern Politics" with some of the band members. It was a great time.
This is NOT POLITICS AS USUAL .... this is Core Values with a Commanding Voice ... He is becoming the Champion once again ... his heart is in it through and through. Bob Kerry was more than right!! A unique and powerful voice which could change the course of a nation.... Shit yeah!!
I'm glad to be alive to watch this.... it's like going to the moon .... once in a life time.
Webb for Senate!!!