Madeleine Albright Rallies "Women for Webb!"

*Leslie Byrne said that Jim Webb is "someone who respects women."  She noted that we all have an opportunity on Tuesday to send a message around the world, and also to do something good for our children and grandchildren, by electing Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate.  Byrne said - rolling her eyes - that when she served with Allen in the Virginia legislature, he used to read his name off of cue cards.  Byrne added that Allen voted against the Family and Medical Leave Act three separate times.
*Jim Moran slammed the Republican Party as "bankrupt," for having made us "less secure than ever," and for having "ruined our economy."  In sum, Moran said that the Republican Party has failed this nation "in every single way."  Now, it's the Democratic Party's turn, after 6 years of the "worst President in American history."  For 6 years, this nation has been led by "phony tought types" who "don't understand what our country is about."  It's time now to let the people have a voice, to return to a civil society, and to fight the war on terror not just with military force, but also with ideals and principles.

*Vivian Watts said that Republicans LEGISLATE values instead of LIVE them.  She pointed out that the Family and Medical Leave Act IS a family value.

*Lynda Robb talked about how Jim Webb welcomed and respected people of all colors, religions, ages, etc.  She asserted that Jim Webb is someone who's going to bring us together. She talked about how Jim Webb has tried to keep this campaign on the issues, "not on what books you read, what books you write, or what books you take out of the library."  On "family values," Robb asked what is more important than allowing a mother to take care of her baby, or her 93-year-old mother for that matter? ("That part of what family values are all about")  Robb asserted that Jim Webb is a patriot who supports our men and women in harm's way.  Now, it's time to elect Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate.  Robb urged everyone to talk to everyone they know and tell them to vote for Jim Webb on Tuesday!

*Toddy Puller delivered roughly the same moving, powerful speech she gave on October 30.  Please see the linked article for highlights of Puller's speech.

*Hong Le Webb read from the eloquent letter, posted this morning on Raising Kaine, from U.S. Marine Corps Col. Michael Duncan Wyly, Colonel (ret), Jim Webb's company commander in Vietnam.

*Madeleine Albright started off by saying that she is a Virginian herself.  She said that she had been traveling a great deal recently.  When she was Secretary of State, she was proud to represent this country.  On her recent travels, however, she said that "it pains me beyond belief to say that we are NOT respected" overseas anymore. 

Albright declared, point blank (and to gasps from the crowd), that Iraq will go down as THE greatest disaster in U.S. history.  Albright said that Iraq is worse than Vietnam, although more of our soldiers died in Vietnam, because the unintended consquences of this war are disastrous.  In short, "Iran has won the war in Iraq" and there is "nothing happening on the Middle East peace process."  Albright pointed out that Jim Webb said the war was a mistake back in 2002.  On Tuesday, we have an "essential election."  According to Albright, "we cannot allow this to go on" any further. We have to find a way to bring our troops home.

In general, Albright believes that Democrats understand national security very well, that when she left office "we had a surplus in the budget and a surplus of good will" around the world.  Unfortunately, "this Administration undermined the moral authority of the United States."  That's very unfortunate, because we are the ones who should be "setting international norms," not breaking them. 

Today, it's time for Congress - and all Americans - to do their patriotic duty by asking questions.  We need to promote Democracy, not IMPOSE Democracy.  And most importantly, we need to vote on Tuesday for 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.

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