RK ARCHIVE - Jim Webb will give the Democratic rebuttal to the SOTU

Jim Webb will give the Democratic rebuttal to the SOTU

By: Rob
Published On: 1/16/2007 12:25:33 PM

Freshman Sen. Jim Webb will deliver the Democrats' response next Tuesday to President Bush's State of the Union address.

Remember who gave the rebuttal last year? Yup, Tim Kaine! If this pattern holds up, expect Chap to be giving the 2008 response....

[UPDATE by Lowell: See Webb's press release in the comments section of this diary. Thanks.]

Comments

Can hardly wait (Teddy - 1/16/2007 12:41:42 PM)

Given Bush's attacks on Congress and threats ("If Congress cuts off funding they better explain to the American people and the troops how their plan is better than mine for victory") and his intransigent stonewalling: "Yes, I have complete authority to send more troops,they can't stop me," it will be a delight to hear Webb disect the little president's pretensions. Whatever POTUS says, trying to divert the argument and frame it to his advantage, I am sure Webb can deal with him.

What a long strange trip it's been (DukieDem - 1/16/2007 12:53:00 PM)

If there's any doubt that Webb is a national star (and by far the most influential freshmen Senator), this ends it.

Who would have thought that after next Tuesday, more Americans will know Jim Webb than Mark Warner?

Just to put it in perspective (Lowell - 1/16/2007 1:15:23 PM)

Last year at this time, we had just delivered a package, containing several hundred petition signatures and pledges of financial support, to Jim Webb. Back from a 2-3 week trip to Vietnam, Webb was meeting with advisers in order to reach a final decision. On January 29, I received the following from Senator Bob Kerrey: "Though I am not 100% certain I am sorry to report that I believe Mr. Webb will not be a candidate."

Fortunately, as we all know, that wasn't the end of the story... :)

Horrifying (DukieDem - 1/16/2007 3:53:16 PM)

Think of the World we'd be living in if Webb HAD NOT decided to run.

6 more years of Senator Allen and 2 more years of Republican control of the Senate would not have been fun.

Exactly, why do you think I was so upset (Lowell - 1/16/2007 4:40:05 PM)

at the time?

I was right there with you, although (thegools - 1/16/2007 6:05:07 PM)

I was pushing for Creigh Deeds in December until I learned who Webb was and that Creigh would not run.

Creigh would have been a fine choice as well (Lowell - 1/16/2007 6:10:18 PM)

But I'm very glad the way things worked out, obviously! :)

AMEN!!!!! (thegools - 1/17/2007 12:07:34 AM)

Great News (scarlatagal - 1/16/2007 1:06:15 PM)

I'm not so sure I will be able to sit through any of Bush's speech but I sure will tune into the rebuttal. I'm sure it will be a hellova lot more coherent and policy specific than GWs.....am sure proud of our new Senator.

Press release from Sen. Webb's office (Lowell - 1/16/2007 1:18:41 PM)

Washington, DC-Senator Jim Webb of Virginia has been selected by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to deliver the official Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 23rd.
"I am honored to have been selected to deliver this response," said Senator Webb. "I ran for the United States Senate to bring an experienced set of eyes to the problems that face our country, ranging from the need for a new direction in Iraq to assuring economic fairness for American workers."
"I hope the President will join us in bringing fresh, creative solutions that will truly move our country forward," continued Webb.
Senator Webb, a decorated Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and former Secretary of the Navy, serves on the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Joint Economic and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Last year, Tim Kaine. This year, Jim Webb! (Josh - 1/16/2007 1:55:29 PM)

Wow!

Virginians speak out against George W. Bush.

Fantastic!

Chap, or Don McEachin . . . (JPTERP - 1/16/2007 2:03:02 PM)

How wonderful! (demnan - 1/16/2007 2:27:43 PM)

Unlike Bush, I'm sure Webb will be well worth listening to.

Hmm... (doctormatt06 - 1/16/2007 2:40:44 PM)

After Bush gives the SOTU speech, I surely hope Sen. Webb will give a strong STFU response, George Bush clearly needs to be told to STFU and stop screwing up our country.

Big Time Dilemma (Newport News Dem - 1/16/2007 3:19:54 PM)

As a personal health issue, I go out of my way to not listen to Bush. I violated that rule and found myself yelling at the TV during 60 Minutes this Sunday.

I suppose that I now must listen to the SOTU just to compare and contrasts to Senator Webb's response.

Great news for Senator Webb and Virginia!

Then you may have to attend or hold an emergency Attitude Adjustment Party (Used2Bneutral - 1/16/2007 3:50:33 PM)

large quantities of Wine, Beer, or other medicinal substances can be very effective in limiting the effects of "shrub" allergies......

Drinking Games (Newport News Dem - 1/16/2007 5:06:26 PM)

I understand that games have been developed requiring a shot every time bush says a word or phrase.

Sounds like a plan,as long as one is still conscience by the time Senator Webb begins!

One shot for every smirk (relawson - 1/16/2007 5:21:31 PM)

That would be an interesting game. I'll tivo Senator Webb, just in case ;-)

If you really want to pass out drunk (thegools - 1/16/2007 6:09:33 PM)

do a shot for every mispronounced word he says.

Thank you Jim Webb (lgb30856 - 1/16/2007 4:05:57 PM)

for being the right senator at the right time.

Impeach Bush.

How's your girls? (relawson - 1/16/2007 5:20:00 PM)

That is the question he should ask Bush - just as Bush asked "how's your boy". The answer for George Bush is "safe in college".

Jim Webb is by far my favorite person elected to office. I think he is a super-star in the Democratic party. If we have more candidates like him - who are strong on both foreign affairs and economic fairness issues - the independents and moderate Republicans will become Democrats. And the Democrats will have a solid majority.

I hope for even more "Jim Webbs" to be elected - our country needs it.

You guys are reflecting on what could have been - I would be in my own personal hell if Harris Miller was elected to the Senate. You would have a lose-lose situation of Miller or Allen.

Webb's in a Class By Himself (Matt H - 1/16/2007 5:46:54 PM)

Comparing Sen. Webb to other Dem.s (and I am one) in unfair to all others; may of whom lack the pure guts to act on their convictions like Webb. It makes me so that we don't have to deal with either Allen or Harris Miller (who is a Rep. lite).

Not since Wellstone has the Senate seen a genuine politician whose only concern is for the people. God is it refreshing!

This just in from Brian Moran (Lowell - 1/16/2007 5:56:50 PM)

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIRMAN BRIAN J. MORAN
LEADERSHIP FOR VIRGINIA'S FUTURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
CONTACT: Jesse F. Ferguson, 703.966.2689
STATEMENT ON DECISION TO HAVE JIM WEBB RESPOND TO STATE OF THE UNION
~Virginia is bellwether for national politics~
Richmond - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran made the following statement after Virginia Senator Jim Webb was chosen by House and Senate Democratic leaders to provide the Democratic response to George W. Bush's State of the Union address on January 20th, 2007.
"Senator Webb's exemplary service to our country as a veteran, a community leader, and now a public servant make him the perfect choice to provide the Democratic alternative to the State of the Union. I could not be more pleased to have campaigned vigorously for our new Senator and helped provide Democratic leadership for the United States Senate. As we debate an escalation in the war in Iraq, Senator Webb brings unmatched credibility and a welcomed perspective. I look forward to hearing his remarks.
Last year, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine provided a true vision and real alternative when he delivered the Democratic response to the State of the Union. This year another great Virginian will have that honor. This is further proof that we are changing Virginia for the better. Our Commonwealth is being watched - across the nation and across the globe - and we will be a bellwether in the 2008 Presidential contest. The proven track record of success under Governor Warner's leadership and now Governor Kaine has made Virginia into a national model of Democratic leadership."

Brian Moran! (drmontoya - 1/16/2007 6:45:35 PM)

He's so spot on, I totally agree with his view on Virginia's role in American politics. But really hasn't Virginia always led the way? =)

Webb news.. (drmontoya - 1/16/2007 6:44:17 PM)

Gets better and better every time. I see the Democrats aren't wasting anytime using the rockstars of our party. Tim Kaine last year, and Jim Webb this year.

Looking forward to the address.

Maybe we are the flashpoint (Rebecca - 1/16/2007 7:43:01 PM)

It seems that all the cultural issues are coming to a head in Virginia. We also seem to be exemplary in producing Democratic leaders who aren't beholden to the Democratic "machine". I think both are causing the nation and even the world to focus on Virginia. We've created great leaders in the past and we are staying true to that heritage. The signers of the Declaration of Independence and even Robert E. Lee, although I think he was on the wrong side of the Civil War. Nevertheless I am named after him as are many other Americans with the middle name "Lee".

Wrong side? (DanG - 1/16/2007 9:35:41 PM)

I believe there was no wrong side in the Civil War. Sure, slavery was part of the South, but I believe most Southerners were products of their time. Lee supported Slavery, but so did Washington, Jefferson, and most of our Founding Fathers. That's why the Civil War is so tragic. They were all Americans, and they were all fighting for a just cause:
The North was fighting to preserve the Union and to free the slaves (in that order, mind you, as they didn't free the slaves in Union States until after the war was over).
The South (contrary to popular belief) was fighting to protect their homes from what they saw as an invading force and to make a point: the will of the people can't be crushed. Just because we disagree with what that will was doesn't mean the entire principle is wrong.

Thanks for your comments (Rebecca - 1/16/2007 11:17:26 PM)

I always had the sense that Lee was a noble man. I always felt better about him than Grant who always looked scruffy and like he had been drinking too much. I agree. I think there were good people on both sides. I also think the North did terrible things to the South after the war that caused the old animosities to fester. Its too bad the North didn't do a better job at reconciliation.

Not only that, Lee rode a better horse, Traveller. Traveller was an American Saddlebred with a wide chest and great confirmation. Traveller was born with the name "Jeff Davis" near Sulphur Springs, Virginia. Traveller carried Lee through some very hairy situations in some of the Civil War battles so he must have had great nerves and endurance. Traveller is not to be confused with the great Traveller breed from Tennessee which was one of the forebearers of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

I've always had a warm spot for Traveller (Catzmaw - 1/16/2007 11:30:47 PM)

He was the key to my victory in a trivia contest years ago, the one that caused my family to name me a nerd for life. Good times. I remember as a child visiting the stuffed Traveller -- was it in Lexington at W&L University? This was some time in the late '60s I think.

He is actually buried (thegools - 1/17/2007 12:10:27 AM)

outside of lee chapel on the campus of W&L. It was Misty of Chincotegue that was stuffed.

I've always wanted a Horse (DanG - 1/17/2007 12:49:58 AM)

When I was little kid, I wanted a horse. Guess what I wanted to name him?

Yeah, I was the only sixth-grade kid who, when his Dad offered to take him anywhere for a Father-son vacation, asked to go visit Gettysburg.

Yeah, I was a nerd.

Interesting. (Catzmaw - 1/17/2007 5:55:10 PM)

I remember the tour guide for my class claimed it was Traveller, but that person may have been wrong or may have been pulling our legs.

CQ quote (Susan Mariner - 1/16/2007 8:46:32 PM)

From Congressional Quarterly in an article on Webb's selection:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said of Webb, "As a combat veteran, he understands personally how crucial it is to find a new direction in Iraq and begin to bring the war to a close. Senator Webb represents the sweeping demand for leaders who will put aside gridlock in Washington to deliver change at home and abroad."

Great Post Susan !!!! (JohnBruhns - 1/17/2007 10:36:27 AM)

I think Senator Webb is the perfect selection, I could not agree more with the Democratic leadership !!

Webb and Rebuttal (seamusotoole - 1/17/2007 9:55:22 AM)

I was absolutely thrilled yesterday to find out that Webb will be giving the rebuttal to the State of the Union address. Normally I can watch about five minutes of Bush without going into apoplexy. I will actually force myself to sit and listen to him just so I can hear Webb speak in his usual eloquent and intelligent manner. I am quite sure he will have hard questions to present Bush and will give the American people alot to think about. His being asked to speak in my opinion is a positive payback for Bush approaching him at the White House reception and asking him, "How's your boy?"

Once again, I am thrilled that I worked so hard for a person that is so worthwhile, to serve Virginia as our Senator. HOW SWEET IT IS. All eyes are once again on Virginia and I'm so glad I've been a part of that. Congratulations to Webb and all of the rag tag volunteers who made this possible.