Jim Webb and Tim Kaine spent an interesting hour yesterday as guest lecturers of an American history class at Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge. Governor Kaine led off, talking about how Jim Webb "understands war" and how his own son was now in Ramadi. This is important, because for many of our politicians - most of whom do NOT have kids in the military - "decisions [on using the military] are based on an abstraction." Not for Jim. According to Gov. Kaine, as a U.S. Senator "Jim would make decisions [based] on his lifelong commitment and personal knowledge." In addition, Jiim will help restore the Congress to its place as an "independent" and "fearless" co-equal branch of our government.
Jim Webb talked about several of his children attending Northern Virginia Community College at one point or the other. He asked how many students had friends or family in the military, and around half the class' hands went up. According to Webb, there's a "real split between those who make policy and those who actually go ahead and do it" (e.g., go fight in Iraq or Afghanistan or...).
Webb talked again about his reasons for running, specifically mentioning Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, and his last book which focused his mind on "Jacksonian Democracy." Webb noted that today, the average CEO makes 400 times the salary of the average worker in his or her company. This is a huge increase compared to when Webb was a kid.
The Q's and A's were very interesting. On the environment, Jim noted that he had been endorsed by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Jim talked about his love for the outdoors, his tradition of hunting and fishing, and his commitment to conservation. He also noted that lax environmental standards in places like China hurt both the environment as well as workers.
On Iraq, Webb talked about how what Jim Baker has been saying the past 2 weeks or so, he's been saying for the past 2 1/2 years. In other words, we need a diplomatic solution, and that will only come through talking to everyone in the region, "not just our friends." Sec. Baker is saying this, and other Republicans are saying this. In addition, we need to get our troops out of Iraq so we can re-focus on fighting the war on terrorism.
Webb was particularly passionate and articulate in responding to questions from students on issues of military pay and benefits. Webb talked about the imortance of a "true GI Bill" for today's soldiers, referring to the one after World War II - which provided college, books, and a monthly stipend - as a model. Webb also mentioned his proposal for a 5% permanent tax break to all people have served honorably in the U.S. military.
Why is Webb running as a Democrat? He's answered this question many times, but at NOVA CC he elaborated a bit more, talking about growing up in a "nominally Democratic" family that had benefited from FDR. Webb also noted "11 former Republicans" in Kansas who are now running as Democrats. Webb argued that the Republican Party has gone to the extreme, and that we're in a a "big sea change" in American politics right now.
On the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Webb said that we need to "find another Dennis Ross," a diplomat who has been deeply involved in Middle East peace negotiations for years, helping to facilitate the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, among other things. According to Webb, we need to find someone "viewed as a hard but fair negotiator by all sides" and we need to engage in the process. Unfortunately, this Administration has not done so.
On disabled vets, Webb spoke passionately as someone who's "spent a lot of my life working in this area." According to Webb, working on these issues has been "a cnetral part of my life," and promised that military members will have "no better friend" in Washington DC than Senator Webb.
On the issue of womem in the miliitary, Webb told the students, "don't believe the ads [by George Allen]." In reality, Webb "opened up more operational positions to women than any other Navy Secretary." Today, Webb believes the mliitary is working with regards to the integratin of women.
On embryonic stem cell research, Webb noted that this was a major area of disagreement with his opponent. Jim Webb supports seeking cures for people like Michael J. Fox through embryonic stem cell research. George Allen apparently does not.
On immigration, Webb noted that this is "the most emotional question I get on BOTH sides." Webb ran down his plan to deal with the issue: gaining control of our borders, enforcing corporate workplace rules, working with the governments of Mexico and others in Latin America, addressing the "supply-push problem" by encouraging more economic growth and stability in Mexico and Central America, dealing fairly with those people who've "put down roots" here (e.g., EARNED path to legal status). Webb stated bluntly that he does NOT favor "amnesty," as his opponent claims. However, we "can't just pretend these people aren't here" and must "find a way to bring [them] into the system." We have to be realistic and stop talking about rounding up millions of people.
On transportation, Governor Kaine talked about how "4 out of 5" parties - House Democrats, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, himself - are in agreement how to solve this problem. The lone holdout is the Republican House leadership, which has so far blocked progress on finding a sustainable source of new funding for critically needed transportation projects in Virginia. According to Kaine, "money doesn't grow on trees" and this is an essential "investment" in Virginia's future.
Jim Webb talked about one of his role models being Daneil Patrick Moynihan, who combined an academic career and writing with politics. Webb asserted that this combination gives him - as it did Daniel Patrick Moynihan - a "different way to ask questions" and to "approach issues." Webb also mentioned "inedependence" and a "different set of experiences" that could prove very valuable in the U.S. Senate.
Finally, Webb praised "first responders," mentioning his endorsement by the firefighters' union and stressing the enormous importance of first reponders after 9/11.
P.S. On a humourous note, one student asked Kaine and Webb whether they preferred Coke, Pepsi or Dr. Pepper. Webb laughed and said he didn't discriminate among soft drinks.
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.
Andy Hurst is also helping get college student familiar with the race through making an appearance on at George Mason University on Monday