Jim talked about how, in the past week, he had gone through a 27-hour period in which he had to be "next to George Allen twice" (in debates). He expressed how happy he was to be at this rally, especially after those 27 hours.
Jim asked, pointedly, "what is this fiction in my life" that George Allen keeps referring to? Webb admitted that, yes, he is a writer, and yes, he loves the power of words. He also noted that his life had been anything but fictional, having started working at 12 (?) years old, having fought in Vietnam, etc. So what is George Allen talking about?
On the subject of language, Jim noted that "words can be misused" to "tear us apart" rather than to enlighten or bring us together. Unfortunately, the current crop of Bush/Allen Republicans give us "high sounding rhetoric that doesn't deliver results." They also use words to divide people, instead of what we really need - an "affirmative vision of where our country needs to be," as Senator Obama did so eloquently in his introduction. Wouldn't it be nice "to feel inspired again?"
Jim talked about how much time he has to spend raising money, and how this takes him away from doing things he'd REALLY like to be doing, like this rally or like meeting people one-on-one. He related that George Allen's campaign manager had predicted "his candidate would win becuase he has more money." The "bottom line," so to speak, is that "a political campaign should not be an auction!" In addition, Jim declared, referring to the crowd of hundreds in front of him, "he (George Allen) can't buy THIS!"
Jim talked about the concept behind his "bottom-up" campaign and about getting money out of politics. He talked about 31,000 lobbyists chasing 535 lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and how that needed to change. According to Jim, and this is a rough quote (I was scribbling this stuff down as fast as I could), "we need to put our government back into the hands of those who care about the people who have no voice" in the halls of power.
Unfortunately, today, "we risk being cut away from our Democracy," as the Karl Roves of the world deliberately drive wedges between us. According to Jim, "we know why they do this," in order to "intentionally [distort] peoples' views" and hold onto power. But here's the deal, according to Jim: "George Allen and George Bush work for US!" Unfortunately, they want to "line their pockets" while they send your kids off to Iraq.
What do we need to do at this point? First, we need to end the war in Iraq. All Bush, Allen et al. talk about is how we should "stay the course." But every course has a finish line. "Where's the finish line" in this, Webb asked?
Second, we need to "reinstitute fairness in our economic system." Jim talked about how, today, corporate profits are at their highest point ever as a percent of the economy, while wages and salaries are at their lowest. And, he declared, "there's something wrong with that!"
Third, we need to rein in this Administration, which "has run roughshod over the Congress since 9/11." We need to "stand up and protect our constitution." We need more leaders like Tony Zinni, Barack Obama, Russ Feingold, and Chuck Hagel. Even Colin Powell has now started to question this Administration, and that's a good thing. Jim asserted that Zinni, Powell, et al. "are not partisan zealots looking to settle a score, and neither am I."
Jim talked about how "we are unique as Americans," a "multicultural society in a continued state of abrasion" (interesting phrase; the power of words again!) that has produced the most dynamic nation on the face of the earth. However, we are surprisingly "fragile" as a Democracy, especially if people stop participating in the process.
Which is why "all of you must join me" and "spend the next 47 days being Americans." Everyone needs to spend the next 47 days putting up yard signs, talking to people about Jim Webb, and working hard to elect him. If that happens, despite George Allen's big money advantage, "on the night of November 7, we're gonna have a party!" Oh, and Jim guarantees that "there will be beer." :)
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
Someone needs to ask him if we can scan it or type it up. Something, that in my mind was one of the best campaign speeches I have ever heard in my short lifetime.
Jim Webb perhaps shouldn't be running for senate, really.. I think he could be President.
Charachter. Integrity. Guts.
He's got it.
But Lowell, anyone. I need that speech in it's entirety.
Man, we could have gotten this thing done right there. You can't lie if you don't have a head.