In his endorsement, Zinni stressed that it was based on the fact that he's "known Jim Webb for twenty years." In addition, Zinni said he admired the fact that Webb had spoken out against the invasion of Iraq "in advance of the war." Zinni praised Webb as "legendary for his leadership and courage," for his "character," and for his "integrity and intelligence." Zinni asserted that the world today is "as confused and unstable as it ever has been," and that "we need people in the Senate who will put the interest of our nation above politics." Finally, in proudly endorsing Jim Webb, Zinni emphasized the importance of electing "an outspoken advocate of giving the military the tools to do the job and uphold the peace" to the U.S. Senate.
[UPDATE: Army Times gives the Webb event favorable coverage, especially the 5% tax break for veterans. According to the Army Times, "Webb+óGéĽGäós tax proposal may have appeal in Virginia, which is among the states with the highest concentration of veterans."]
On Iraq, Webb stated that we could be "out of [there] in two years." To do that, in Webb's view, we need to say clearly that we have no long-term interest in staying there. In addition, we need to work with other countries in the region. In contrast, all the Administration keeps saying is the "mantra" of "we will stay in Iraq as long as necessary, but not a day longer." What does that mean? Who knows.
Asked about calls for the resignation of Don Rumsfeld, Webb said that he "can understand the frustration," but also that "accountability is broader than Rumsfeld." Essentially, "this entire Administration did a deplorable job in planning and executing the war in Iraq." Webb also seemed skeptical that any replacement by Bush for Rumsfeld would make much difference, as long as the same policies were continued. All in all, Iraq represents a "broad failure of the Administration," in Webb's view.
In a new policy proposal, Webb called for a 5% tax break to all veterans who have served honorably. According to Webb, that would apply to 14.7 million vets.
Asked about Iran (by yours truly), Webb said that the diplomatic route had NOT been exhausted, and that we need intensive "multilateral talks." Webb then used the opportunity to criticize the Bush doctrine of "preventive war," saying that "the President does not have the prerogative to conduct a preventive war", certainly not without the consent of Congress. In addition, Webb stressed that the military is there, first and foremost, to "deter a potential adversary," not to launch preventive wars. Like Gen. Zinni, Webb appears to be a strong believer in using all tools of national power - diplomatic, economic, etc. - before military power is considered.
Finally, asked about his son, Webb said that he would be deploying in late summer, although he doesn't have an exact date right now. Although obviously concerned, as any father would be, Webb stressed, "I am very proud of his service."
Is that really something America wants to do?
It's great how you've taken this one issue where Jim Webb is wrong (DADT) and gone with it. I like what you're doing here. Just so you know - you should also harp on his feelings on affirmative action. That's another issue where he's wrong.
Meanwhile, Harris Miller is pretty much worthless on about 15 issues. He only supports gay marriage because he realized he could only compete in the primary by running as a huge liberal. His original position was, "I'm an old testament guy. "
I'll go with Webb's tax plan so far over Harris Miller's. Even as his son pointed out on a post, Miller supports the Bush Tax breaks during the right period of fiscal stability. I'm sorry, but aren't those tax breaks inherently biased towards the wealthy? If you're making more than $400,000 a year, do you really need a tax break? I don't care what you say about the "fiscal environment", the Bush Tax cuts are a horrible idea in any situation.
Men and Women put their lives on the line for this country. This seems like a pretty fair reward to me.
1/3 to pay off debt
1/3 to cut taxes for people who really NEED the money, such as Jim Webb proposes
1/3 on additional spending, particularly to achieve energy independence and to provide national health care.
Sound like a deal? I'll take it.
But I like the approach of the rest of it; and we'd have to fight-off the earmark brigade for it to have a net benefit. Ready when you are.
And you can throw in the excess profits tax (although this didn't really work so well in the '70s; but revenue is revenue at this stage)on big oil and repeal the Bush cuts.
My grandchildren thank you.
Way to recite Miller talkings points though. It's too bad the primary is already over, and Miller will be back to his old "not doing anything for democrats" ways pretty soon.
And think about what you imply: "agree with me and you're a great American; disagree and you're retarded." Sound like any administration you know?
Jack Murtha is THE Democrat to call this Bush administration on the carpet for the disastrous and criminal blunders made throughout the Iraq debacle. In Murtha's endorsement, he points out that Jim Webb was prescient in his prediction of what would happen to the US in Iraq.
Webb knew, nobody listened. If Webb were Virginia's Senator, who knows what would have happened. Murtha thinks we'd all have been better off. I agree:
Congressman Murtha Endorses Jim Webb for United States SenateMurtha: “Jim Webb Has Never Backed Away From a Fight”
Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a trusted adviser to Presidents of both parties on military and defense issues and one of the most effective advocates for the national defense in the country, today announced his support of Jim Webb for the United States Senate in Virginia.
“In addition to his career as a writer and businessman, Jim Webb has dedicated most of his adult life to issues surrounding our national security,” said Murtha. “Jim Webb has never backed away from a fight, whether it has been in combat, or in the all-important political arena in which our nation’s future is being resolved. In addition, as a Vietnam veteran I have always been grateful to Jim for the thousands of hours he has spent, pro bono, helping those who served in Vietnam. He is just the kind of leader the Senate needs.”
Murtha has been the representative from Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district since 1974. He spent 37 years in the Marine Corps, combining active and reserve service before retiring in 1990 as a Colonel. Murtha joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War and then volunteered to be activated for service in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V", two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
“I have known and respected Jack Murtha for nearly thirty years,” said Webb. “He is a true patriot, whose service and judgment was wrongly criticized by this Administration as soon as he began speaking the truth about Iraq. It will be a pleasure to join Congressman Murtha on Capitol Hill so that we can begin to re-shape America’s national security agenda.”
Murtha, who has been very critical of the war in Iraq -- calling it “bad policy wrapped in an illusion” – praised Webb for his prescience about the war. “Jim called it before most of us,” said Murtha. “He wrote the first article in a major newspaper, five months before the war predicting exactly what was going to happen if we invaded Iraq. Imagine what the debate would have looked like in the Senate if Jim Webb had been there instead of George Allen. Jim Webb, through his charisma and leadership, can bring a wide array of voters back to the Democratic party.”
Jim Webb was awarded the nation’s second and third-highest decorations for valor as a Marine in Vietnam – the Navy Cross and Silver Star – among other awards. He has served as a full committee counsel in the Congress, as an Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy, and is an Emmy-award winning journalist and best selling author of eight books.
Since beginning his campaign for Senate a month ago, Webb has secured a number of high-profile endorsements, including:
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, 2004 Democratic Presidential contender
Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, Member of 9/11 Commission
Retired four-star Gen. Joseph Hoar, former Commander of CENTCOM
Former 11th District Congresswoman Leslie Byrne, 2005 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee
Retired 2nd District Congressman Owen Pickett
Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
Virginia Senator Phil Puckett
Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
Former Virginia Senator Emilie Miller
Arlington County Board Members Jay Fisette
Arlington School Board Member Ed Fendley, Mary Hynes and Libby Garvey
Arlington County Treasurer Frank O’Leary
Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy.
Gotta keep my Cuban-American senators straight!
A) Six more years of Allen.
B) President George Allen.
Good one. Are you joking?
-Alex
Draft Zinni! It's Security, Stupid!
Blue Force | National Security Progressives, Progressive National Security
A veteran who is found to have been permanently and totally disabled because of injuries in service receives approximately $30,000 a year. Even tax-free, most would argue that for having literally risked life and limb this is a most modest amount on which to live.
Perhaps in this time of war, Jim Webb would do more good if he sought a meaningful increase in the rate of compensation paid to disabled veterans. Doing so, would be easier to administer, more beneficial to those who really need help, and more fiscally responsible. A blanket tax break for all veterans, many who don’t need it, is just too Republican.
We need a simpler tax code, not a more complex one. I can think of a bunch of other people I'd like to do nice things for, but the tax code is not the place to do it.
What's next? A 5% tax cut for teachers? For nurses? For firefighters and police officers? Why not? Doesn't Webb support our first responders? He values soldiers more than those who educate our finest young people? How about a 5% tax break for widows of soldiers killed in combat? Or those killed while on active duty? Would the 5% apply to all income? Would it apply to investment income? If John Kerry has millions of dollars in investment income (and I suspect that he does), does he need a 5% tax break?
This is about the worst possible precedent for the tax code, and I hope that Webb drops this before someone actually tries to hold him to it.
I have been hoping that Jim Webb might be the kind of candidate who isn't going to play those sorts of stupid little games.
And the reality is that he doesn't need that to get the support of veterans in Virginia.
C'mon, Jim. Think a little harder.