Today, at 12:30 PM in Alexandria, First, I can definitely report that today's "Women for Webb" luncheon was an excellent, sucessful, sold-out event. Everyone seemed very happy to be there; to hear Leslie Byrne, Anne Holton, Hillary Clinton and Jim Webb speak; and to get fired up about electing Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate in just 35 days!
In my humble opinion, the following list of elected women officials attended the event should put to rest, once and for all, ANY question about Jim Webb's commitment to women and to their primary concerns Things like Iraq. Health care. Education. A fair and just society. Protection of our environment. A willingness to stand up for our civil liberties, our American values AND our security.
Let's put it this way; would the following women be strongly endorsing Jim Webb if they thought he had any misognystic tendencies, as George Allen's campaign and supporters have slanderously and erroneously suggested? Hint: the answer is a huge NO!!!
*Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
*Former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne
*First Lady of Virginia Anne Holton (Judge)
*Senator Patricia Ticer (District #30, Alexandria)
*Retired Delegate Marian Van Landingham (District #45, parts of Arlington, Alexandria & Fairfax)
*Susan Turnbull, Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee
*Beth Arthur, Arlington County Sheriff
*Ingrid Morroy, Commissioner of Revenue
The press "availability" beforehand went very well. Hillary Clinton, in her opening statement, spoke strongly about her formal endorsement of Jim Webb's candidacy for U.S. Senate, highlighting in particular Jim's national security credentials, his service to the country, and his willingness to take on an incumbent Senator. Sen. Clinton said that it was "a great honor to be here and to stand with Jim Webb."
For his part, Jim Webb said in his statement that he was "pleased to be standing here with Hillary Clinton." Jim spoke about how, for many years, this country was divided over Vietnam and "culture wars." But today, Jim declared, "those times are gone." Elaborating on this statement, Jim explained that the walls dividing Americans about Vietnam "came down on 9/11," at least for him. Since 9/11, Jim feels like we're undergoing a "sea change politically" in this country, where the "old labels of liberal and conservative" don't necessarily apply anymore. Finally, Jim praised Sen. Clinton's service in the Senate, particularly on the Armed Services Committee.
In questions from reporters, Sen. Clinton said that she was "deeply concerned as a mother and as a Senator" with the Mark Foley sex scandal. However, Sen. Clinton said that she would "leave it up to the investigation to determine what did and didn't happen." Sen. Clinton added that, ultimately, this is a decision for Republicans and for voters to make on November 7.
The bottom line, in Sen. Clinton's view, is that the desire for power has taken over in Congress nowadays, that many important issues are not being addresed, and that "we need a change in direction." Specifically, Sen. Clinton said that "we need to elect Democrats" who will ask hard questions, people like Jim Webb, as replacements for what she aclled "subservient Republicans who won't ask hard questions." And, according to Clinton, we need to get back to a government that follows our Constitution and our Democracy.
Asked about the "Women Can't Fight" issue, Sen. Clinton said that this was "30 years ago." Since then, Sen. Clinton said that "a lot of things have changed," with women now serving on a "360-degree battlefield." Sen. Clinton said she watched what Jim Webb did at the Pentagon with regards to women, opening up numerous billets to them for example, and asserted that "when Jim gets to the U.S. Senate, there won't be a stronger supporter" on issues related to women in the military than him.
Adding his thoughts on this matter, Jim said that he is "very comfortable with where these roles are today," and also that he is "very comfortable with the military" analyzing where the roles and missions to determine which specific billets should be opened to women. Jim said that he had "nothing but praise for where the military is today."
Jim concluded the press "availability" by pointing out that Sen. Clinton "has done an incredible job in the Senate," and that he was "proud to be standing beside her."
The event itself featured Leslie Byrne doing her usual great job as M.C. Byrne said that "women have become very important in Virginia" these days, noting that, of course, "women have ALWAYS been important in Virginia." After pointing out that some of the "giants" in Virginia history have been women, Byrne introduced special guest Anne Holton, first lady of Virginia.
Anne Holton said that she didn't "venture into the political forums very often," but added that she felt "so passionately that we need to elect Jim Webb" that she made an exception in this case. Holton asserted that Jim Webb is "exactly what we need" in the U.S. Senate, with his experience and perspective. Holton pointed out that Jim would be one of the few members of Congress with a family member actually serving in combat, adding that this is "rare" nowadays. Holton stated that we need Jim's "independence," as opposed to "rubber stamps" in the Senate (hmmm...wonder who she could have been referring to there!). Finally, Holton spoke warmly about Jim's wife Hong, about how accomplished she is (Michigan undergrad, Cornell Law School, etc.). Holton welcomed Hong to the "political spouses club."
Leslie Byrne noted that "Anne Holton is smart," that as a judge she doesn't have to be "a political prop," but can "do what she wants to do." In a touching anecdote, Byrne related how, after she lost by 0.7 percentage points last year, the first person to call her was Hillary Clinton, and how that tells you a lot about Clinton.
In her remarks, Sen. Clinton spoke about "how important it is to send Jim Webb to the Senate," and about "how important this race is...it really is." In Sen. Clinton's mind, we need "strong leadership" that "says it as he sees it." We need a Senator who will "take positions for the betterment of our country," and will always "do what's right for our country." That's Jim Webb, with his "lifetime of experience," especially on national security matters.
Regarding the terrorist threat, Sen. Clinton said that she took it "very seriously," but that we have to not only "talk tough" but also "be smart." Unfortunately, in recent years we have not had the kind of Congress "we need to ask the tough questions." Sen. Clinton called that an "abdication of responsibility," and spoke about how we had a Truman Commission in World War II and serious Congressional hearings during Vietnam. Today, "that hasn't happened," despite the fact that "our Congress is supposed to be a co-equal branch of government."
Sen. Clinton noted that "there's a lot of wisdom that doesn't reside" in the offices of the Secretary of Defense, the Vice President, or the President. She asserted that "standing under a 'Mission Accomplished' banner is NOT a strategy." And, she added, that this "is not about partisan politics," but about "want[ing] America to be the best she can be." Along those lines, Sen. Clinton said that we need Jim Webb's "commonsense" and "plain talking" in the U.S. Senate. She said that she was pleased to "lend my support in the most vigorous way I can to Jim Webb," and looked forward to "greeting him as the Senator from Virginia."
Jim Webb spoke about how much he appreciated everyone's support, including "people from Chuck Robb's staff" and also Anne Holton's husband Tim Kaine, who Jim said "has been wonderful" since he won the primary in June, above and beyond the call of duty.
On the current race, Jim noted that "many of you have seen the negative ads George Allen is running." Jim pointed out that Allen's attacks were all based on an article Jim wrote 27 years ago, and that one of the women who was at the Allen press conference a few weeks ago "got so angry" at Allen's ads that she switched and "endorsed me." Jim then proceeded to point out several of the key women in the campaign, including campaign manager Jessica Vanden Berg, Deputy Campaign Manager Adrienne Christian, Press Secretary Kristian Denny Todd, Deputy Press Secretary Jessica Smith, and several others. I can't recall exactly what Jim said here, but it was something to the effect of "actions are what matter." Or maybe it was "case closed." Either way, I'm sure you get the point. [UPDATE: Courtesy of the Washington Post, "Webb said yesterday that "probably the most important thing I can say about that entire issue is that there's a term in law, res ipsa loquitur , the thing speaks for itself"; he then introduced his top campaign staff members, five of whom are women."]
Jim talked about how one of the things that drew him to the Democratic Party was its "roots in taking care of people who have no voice in the corridors of power." Jim pledged that, as Senator, he will take care of people who have no power in Washington DC.
Jim ran through his three main campaign themes: 1) redirecting U.S. foreign policy "into a productive way" (including figuring a way out of the Iraq mess); 2) what he calls the "Three Americas" - widening income disparities in the age of globalization; and 3) the "abuse of power by this President" in a "one-party system." Jim talked about how Tammy Duckworth and he had jointly called to "bring back something like the Truman Commission." Jim added that "I would love to get my hands on what has been going on since we invaded Iraq!"
Finally, Jim talked - in words that reminded me of what Al Gore had to say on this subject back in February 2006 - about how "we're bordering on a Constitutional crisis" in this country. Jim pointed out that there were a few Senators - Obama, Feingold, Clinton, Hagel - willing to stand up and speak out for our system of government and our Constitution. Unfortunately, Jim charged, "George Allen has not spoken up." Jim vowed that, as a U.S. Senator, "I WILL speak up" and will "spend the next 6 years working to make the country a better place."
Leslie Byrne followed Jim by commenting to the audience that "now you know why I got on board so early [with Jim Webb's campaign]...he's a great guy!" Byrne fired one final parting shot at George Allen, pointing out that Allen had opposed the Family and Medical Leave Act, which has helped so many people. In a nutshell, according to Byrne, "that's the difference between Republicans Democrats, and don't you forget it!"
Great stuff. Go Women for Webb!
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.
Comments
~ noweasels
Ms. Bubby tells me that the Alexandria Jim Webb event was outstanding, with lots of smart women talking about the problems that face our families and America. She says that the Democratic leadership bench is stacked deep with woman-talent.
Meanwhile, speaking in Augusta County, George Allen told a small crowd of supporters that he was the guy to guarantee victory against "maniacal terror" worldwide, and especially in Iraq, while awarding us even better tax reductions. The math- challenged crowd responded with applause and adulation.
Overall, other than the William Howell Memorial I-66 Traffic Jam, I would say that Ms.Bubby had the better day.
Since 9/11, Jim feels like we're undergoing a "sea change politically" in this country,
The most frustrating thing, in view of the latest revelations (Woodward's book) is this:
*Had* this sAdministration got its collective butt in gear on 7/11, 9/11 might not have happened. If it had not happened, Bush/Cheney would not have been selling us down the river today; we'd have had Kerry/Edwards and some sanity, instead.
We would have gotten the f... out of Iraq long since. The Paris Hilton tax cut would have been repealed. The minimum wage would have been raised. Etc, etc, et bloody caetera. What a wonderful world it would be...
Of course, had 9/11 been prevented, Jim Webb might never had gotten pissed off with the Repubs to the extent of switching parties, and Allen might have been cruising to an un-contested re-election, which would have been a pity :)
Sen. Clinton Supports Webb in Va. Campaign
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton endorsed Democratic Senate candidate James Webb yesterday as he and Republican Sen. George Allen intensified their efforts to woo female voters in the Virginia campaign's closing month.
The high profile appearance by Clinton (D-N.Y.) at a fundraising lunch in Old Town Alexandria provided a needed boost to Webb, whom Allen has criticized for his past attitude toward women in the military.