If you read his writings, or writings about him, youGÇÖll see that Webb is a model of humility. He has committed much of his career to telling stories about the people who fight our wars, rather than touting the glory of war or of his own service. When I started listening to Webb, and considering his candidacy, I realized how perfect the timing is for him to enter the Senate. He is one of the few people in the entire country who can go into Senate and make an immediate impact on the War on Terror and the War in Iraq.
Let me explain.
As we all know, we are in a foreign policy nightmare. Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan (not to mention Dafur) are all getting worse. We cannot afford to continue to make the same mistakes without destroying our economy and putting our national security at tremendous risk for future attack. We are currently led by an Executive Branch made up of stupid, corrupt chickenhawks. Rather than provide a check on their failures (like the Constitution commands) the Congress has instead served as their rubber stamp. The Congress is inhabited by an immoral, inept pack of lap dogs whose primary concern seems to be keeping their job and raising campaign cash. In the meanwhile, the Republican smear machine has so eviscerated the Democrats that we lack an opposition party with credibility on National security in the eyes of the voters. It was only when John Murtha finally took a stand that Democrats found a credible voice to stand behind. We need this same credibility in the Senate. We need an expert. We need someone with objectivity. We need someone who understands the complexity of the world, sensible diplomacy, and the horrors of war.
Now we have that opportunity, LITERALLY at our fingertips. Jim Webb will enter the Senate with instant credibility. He can work with VirginiaGÇÖs senior Republican Senator, John Warner, and other stalwart Republicans who have said we need a change of course in our foreign policy. He is respected by Democrats and Republicans alike. He can be trusted as a leader who cannot be bought. He has no vested interest in staying in Senate forever. He is running to make a difference right now.
Do not think Jim Webb is just another Democrat replacing a Republican. He is needed far more than Claire McCaskill, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Harold Ford Jr., Jon Tester, or Sheldon Whitehouse. He is a critical piece to American diplomacy. We need his service. This is not about George Allen. Sure, Allen sucks, but that has little to do with why Webb is running. It is rare that voters get an opportunity like they have right now. In fact, they are LUCKY that they have Jim Webb as a candidate. He cares more about the solving foreign policy issues than he does about being elected. For example, in his recent CNN interview, Webb pleaded with Wolf Blitzer to change the subject from AllenGÇÖs gaffes to solutions to the War in Iraq. Most candidates run away from providing solutions in Iraq. Webb embraced it.
The people of Virginia cannot let this opportunity slip away. If they do not choose to elect Jim Webb, they are sending a message to every capable leader that they do not want strong leadership. That would be heartbreaking. That would be a tragedy. That might force us to have to vote for candidatesGǪwell...let's not think about it!
So, Dan, you are right. I'm not supporting Webb because he's opposing Allen, although that certainly sweetens the pot. I'm supporting Webb because we need his critical thinking skills and independence in the Senate. The Arlington SunGazette endorsed Allen because they thought Webb would be too pugnacious for the "rarefied air" of the Senate. Well someone needs to go to the Senate and throw the windows open and air out the room. Maybe he'll dress down a couple of stuffed shirts and raise a few hackles. That's fine. He'll also do what all natural leaders do. He'll get people who've stayed silent to follow him. He'll embolden the reluctant. Once he starts asking questions others will follow.
I ran across this comment in the Pilot, from a reader from Chesapeake VA.
"Like President Bush, Senator Allen was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple."
I disagree; we need them *all*, equally. Webb may give his voters a better return than some of the ones listed above, but we need every last Dem Sentor we can squeeze out of these elections. Especially since LIEberman is likely to lose us a Dem seat in Connecticut (he's *NO* Dem; he's Joe's-for-Joe party, running on Repub money). If Webb were the only one who dislodged his rethug opponent, we'd still be in a shithole. We'll still be in a shithole, with both hnds tied behind our backs, even if we come out even (50-50), because the evil "Shoot Your Face" Dickie will break the tie, when a tie occurs... And he'll favor the other side.
While "the shirt is closest to the body" (I relly *love* all those Polish cliches
I'm very happy that, in VA, I don't have to hold my nose while voting but, in'06, I'd be willing to do even that; we *really* need to break the evil spell, and the sooner the better...
On Friday, it was still 49D, 50R, and 1I. Now, there's no room left for dithering and we're literally neck-and-neck. We need to do better than that, or we'll be bathing in eau-de-poop for *years*. Realistically, me may not be able to do more than get Webb over the hump; money is limited as is time. But, those of you who are not atheists like myself... "Say a little prayer" for all the others, too :)