RK ARCHIVE - Virginian-Pilot: "James Webb for U.S. Senate"

*"...on two of the most essential ingredients for a U.S. senator - character and intellect - the record is clear...Webb has an abundance of both."

*"He took that once-lonely view long before events proved him right [in his] "courageous decision to speak out against the war in Iraq before it ever began."

*"A serious student of history and world affairs, Webb time and again displays a deep understanding of political and military realities in global hot spots."

*"What shines through his inexperience as a campaigner, however, is a sophisticated grasp of the military and foreign policy issues that now dominate the national agenda."

*"James Webb promises to be the kind of public servant and leader Virginia and the nation now need."
Wow, that is one great endorsement of Jim Webb. Thanks to the Virginian-Pilot; this should definitely help in the Hampton Roads area!

P.S. Read the entire editorial, including the Virginian-Pilot's severe criticism of George Allen for his "slight" contributions in the U.S. Senate, for his role as "an amplifier for Bush administration talking points," for his morph into "a big government spender," and for his "ugly" incident with S.R. Sidarth and the "exclusionary message" it highlighted.

P.P.S. This is the same paper that endorsed Thelma Drake (R) the other day, so spare us the bull, you "A-Team" trolls, about how the Virginian-Pilot is "liberal" or whatever. Just like the Washington Post, which endorsed Frank Wolf (R) and Bob Ehrlich (R) along with Jim 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

They published his Navy Cross commendation too (PM - 10/27/2006 7:28:30 AM)

The editorial for Webb is strong, and extraordinary, for the newspaper also published Webb’s Navy Cross commendation with these words:

Editor's note: The Navy Cross is the nation's second-highest award for bravery in facing an enemy. James Webb has refused to use it in his campaign. We are publishing it with our endorsement of him because we believe it testifies to his character.

http://content.hampt...

James Webb's Navy Cross
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 27, 2006
The Navy Cross is presented to James H. Webb, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 10 July 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex which appeared to be unoccupied. Deploying his men into defensive positions, First Lieutenant Webb was advancing to the first bunker when three enemy soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out.
Reacting instantly, he grabbed the closest man and, brandishing his .45 caliber pistol at the others, apprehended all three of the soldiers.
Accompanied by one of his men, he then approached the second bunker and called for the enemy to surrender. When the hostile soldiers failed to answer him and threw a grenade which detonated dangerously close to him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in the bunker aperture, accounting for two enemy casualties and disclosing the entrance to a tunnel.
Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data. Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade.
Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body.
Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker.
By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

I normally do not copy wholesale citations from other sources -- but which words could I have excluded?