Webb Campaign Blasts Allen on "10 Months" Lie

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/10/2006 6:40:38 PM

Allen Misrepresents Webb+óGé¼Gäós Tenure in Reagan Administration
(THE ACORNS-WADHAMS, LACIVITA AND HOWELL-APPARENTLY DIDN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE)

(Arlington) -This weekend, George Allen knowingly misrepresented Jim Webb's service under President Ronald Reagan - one of Allen's self-proclaimed political heroes.  In an interview on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos', George Allen also re-emphasized his loyalty to the Bush Administration by reciting answers taken directly from White House talking points and pushing for a long term U.S. occupation in Iraq.

"For George Felix Allen to intentionally distort and minimize Jim's service in the Reagan Administration by claiming Jim only served "ten months" says a lot about George Allen+óGé¼Gäós character," said Webb spokesperson  Kristian Denny Todd.  "George Allen is all too aware of Jim's service under Ronald Reagan and that it is Jim Webb who possesses the leadership, independence and integrity President Reagan admired.+óGé¼-¥

"When you see George Allen intentionally misrepresent Jim Webb's record, it becomes all the more clear as to why he hired such known negative campaign operatives like Dick Wadhams, Chris LaCivita and Scott Howell.  These guys have long established reputations of distorting the truth, misrepresenting fact and assassinating character.  Now it appears they can learn from the master himself -- George Allen.  Virginia deserves better,+óGé¼-¥ said Denny Todd.

Allen has repeatedly voted against proposals that would increase congressional authority over Presidential spending in Iraq and opposes increased oversight of reconstruction contracts despite reports of fraud and abuse.  <.b>Allen voted against $322 million for troop safety and battle equipment, choosing to use that money for the reconstruction of Iraq.

+óGé¼+ôOnce again, George Allen demonstrates he is incapable of doing anything but follow the direction of President Bush.  Having never served, George Allen has little understanding of military operations; therefore he blindly follows President Bush," said Denny Todd.

Jim Webb was an outspoken opponent of the invasion of Iraq writing an editorial in the Washington Post in September of 2002 warning of the dangers of occupying Iraq.  Since the war began, Jim Webb has repeatedly called upon the Bush Administration to declare that the United States has no long-term intention to occupy Iraq.  Allen voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq because he wanted to support President Bush, in spite of a personal warning from Jim Webb. 

Jim Webb is a decorated Vietnam veteran, highly respected author and journalist. Jim served in the Reagan Administration from 1984-1988, half of Ronald Reagan+óGé¼Gäós tenure as President, first as Assistant Secretary of Defense and then as Secretary of the Navy.

By the way, something tells me that Marc Fisher's not going to be too happy about this! :)

Comments



Allen on Iraq (alex schultes - 7/10/2006 7:48:18 PM)
George Allen is an empty suit, unable to speak to the issues other than scripted one-liners. When asked by George S. in the interview yesterday about the Iraq situation, Allen's answer was totally vague and wrapped in "Bush talk". For a sitting Senator and aspiring Presidential candidate, he certainly was testy and nervous. Perhaps that was due to Webb's reception by the American Legion members (500 strong) and Sen. John Warner's warm and respectful comments about Jim to that convention.

While Allen has proven that he has no thoughts of his own, I personally believe that Webb must "turn the table" on Allen with regard to Iraq and the question of draw-down and withdrawal. Jim is not part of the Administration nor of Congress. It is not up to him to provide the "solution" to the Iraqi mess. It is up to the Administration and Allen!

Allen should provide the answers! And not just by saying that we will withdraw when the time is right. The Administration and Allen have never articulated what needs to be accomplished prior to a draw-down or withdrawal other than to say "when the time is right" or "when a free and democratic Iraq can stand on its own two feet". What determines "when the time is right" or "when a free and democratic Iraq can stand on its own two feet"? It is not up to the Democrats to answer this - it is the Republican's responsibility and duty to do so.

The bottom line is that I do not believe that Bush and Allen have any intention of getting out of Iraq. Why are we building four permanent bases there? And what is the cost? And if our plans are to leave, why are we wasting hundreds of millions of the taxpayer dollars on these bases. We need to ask Allen about these bases! He doesn't have an answer other than to say that "we have bases in many countries".

Lets force the issue! Push Allen for real answers and don't accept the party one-liners that are all fluff. When Allen shows that he incapable of answering, then lets hammer him 10 times harder than what Allen's campaign dwarfs have been trying to do to Webb.

I write this as an individual who voted for George Allen in all of his state wide campaigns. Quite frankly... Shame on me!

With regard to Allen's comment on Jim Webbs "10 months", just consider the source - his campaign advisors who fed him that line. They will do worse! Webb's campaign must keep up the rapid response - they are just looking like bigger and bigger fools.



Amen to asking about the bases (bladerunner - 7/10/2006 9:15:46 PM)
the first comment is so true...Let's here about those 4 bases, and the fact that George Bush Allen wants future Presidents to deal with Iraq. That's George Bush Allen's plan for Iraq. I don't think so homey--Virginians want to get the hell out of there and spend some money here and not throw it away in some f'n dessert hole--where there's a civil war going on. Bush-Allen wants us to stay? Virginians don't want to see any back peddeling by George Bush Allen & Co.either the dye is cast baby, this is George Bush Allen's war. Even if things get better there do you want to give George Bush Allen another chance to spend millions and waste lives for nothing. All this BS about Cowboy diplomacy being over is just that BS--And I am just a patriotic as the next person--Those soldiers are just doing what there told--our fighting forces are the best in the world. Unfortuantely, to use a George Bush Allen metaphore they have a rotten coach that should be fired! People like Jim Webb and Andy Hurst will see to that.


no exit plan (Jerry Griffin - 7/10/2006 10:16:32 PM)
Jim's been saying it from day 1. "They had no exit plan because they have no plan to exit." He needs to keep hammering it home; four bases makes Bush a four-flusher.


RE: John Warner not qualified? (JPTERP - 7/10/2006 11:11:50 PM)
If you apply Georges Felix's logic then it's time we all had a second look at Senator John Warner's qualifications.  I'm sure it's been said here before, but the similiarities between Jim Webb's resume in 2006 and those of Senator John Warner in 1978 are uncany. 

Both Warner and Webb had distinguished military careers and had served several years in government (Webb 4 years in the Reagan administration as Secretary of Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense--plus his years on congressional committees; Warner served 5 years as undersecretary of the Navy under Nixon and Ford).  Both were lawyers.

For both Webb and Warner their first move toward elected office was as a Virginia Senator.

As far as Webb's short stint as Secretary of Navy goes, I can understand Allen's difficulties.  For someone who is unfamiliar with the concept of a "stand on principle" Georges Felix is essentially saying he would have pushed through those cuts in 1988 to appease his boss.  These aren't exactly the type of qualities that I'd look for in a leader or a representatives, but I realize there are others who hold their leaders to a different standard. 



Felix and the Marine (Greg Kane - 7/10/2006 11:59:08 PM)
The Felix follies: George Felix Allen suggests that Jim Webb’s principled stand in opposition to the Naval Fleet cut that had lead him to resign as Secretary of the Navy means Jim is a “cut and run†kind of guy. The fact that Jim Webb lead and bled with his men in combat means nothing to a guy who was never there. Jim Webb put his job and career on the line for what he felt was the good of the country.

George Felix Allen says that Jim Webb is a “Monday morning quarterback†for pointing out the Iraq war is a major mistake for the United States. “Mr. Football†forgets that the “Monday morning quarterback†is a guy who only offers advice after the game. Jim Webb publicly warned about the dangers of going into Iraq well before Felix and the chicken hawks went in. 

Jim Webb also went to see George Felix Allen personally to explain why this was such a big mistake. Felix could only say but, but, but that would mean I would have to oppose the President. Yes Felix, this is called “courageâ€Â. It is what you have when you put your concern for the country above your own self interests.

This is what this election is all about: Some people seek public office for the power they can wield. Others seek office with an understanding of the responsibility inherent with that office. These are two completely different approaches to public service and are at the heart of the choice standing before Virginians