The field of Democrat(s) hoping to challenge the Commonwealth's junior Federal senator has expanded by one with the entry of James Webb into the race.
Formerly a Republican, Mr. Webb has a history of interaction with the Commonwealth's politics. In 1994, he endorsed Senator Charles S. Robb over challenger Oliver L. North. At that time, Mr. Webb called Mr. North a "chronic liar". In 2000, Mr. Webb endorsed former Governor George F. Allen, Jr., to replace Senator Robb. Mr. Webb's endorsement of Mr. Allen came because he believed Mr. Allen was superior to Mr. Robb on questions of national security.
Mr. Webb, a Marine who was decorated for his service in the Vietnam war, ultimately served as Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan. His term would end in 1987 with his resignation due to conflicts with Secretary of Defense Frank C. Carlucci.
He will face (at the moment) Harris Miller, former head of the lobbying group Information Technology Association of America.
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I have read some of Mr. Webb's opinion pieces in this century, and although I do not necessarily agree with them all, I've never considered it wasted time. Of course, one wishes him the best, but that is not going to be enough. I believe that he will be eventually overcome by a two-pronged problem.
PROBLEM NO. 1: Mr. Webb has been a Republican, has served President Reagan, and is a military man.
Whatever regular readers I have will probably ask, "What's wrong with any of those?" My answer is a firm nothing, but myself and my regular readers are not the ones who vote in Democrat primaries. Many Democrat primary voters have cars with those stupid FCNL "War is not the answer" bumper stickers, or some variation on the "Bake sale to buy a bomber" theme. Moreover, this subset of voters considers a soldier to be morally suspect; that this one served with distinction in Vietnam and then served Emperor Palpatine Ronald Reagan would only enrage them further.
The Howard Dean types---corrosive to the Republic, I believe---will probably treat this man with derision and scorn. They are very insular and punish deviations from their orthodoxy harshly, unless you're Paul Hackett. Mr. Webb has already commented that he does not "[wear] a bridle well." I do not see him wearing the bridle of "Bush lied!" and "Chimpy McHitler" well. This will be problematic for him.
PROBLEM NO. 2: Mr. Webb is a complicated man.
Democrat primary voters, especially those in the foul warrens of Northern Virginia, are probably apt to being swayed by the simplistic Howard Dean-style message of "BUSH LIED! BUSHITLER EATS CHILDREN FOR BREAKFAST! YEEEEARGH!" After all, Northern Democrats were reportely the reason that Leslie Byrne won the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Despite their press, these types don't do "nuance".
In contrast, James Webb seems to exist on nuance, along with the fact that he's not one of the appeaseniki who protest any and all military actions undertaken by the United States of America. There is a great gulf between "BUSH LIED!" and "My warning before we went in was basically that it was a strategic mousetrap on three different levels."1 I do not believe that the Democrat primary voters will be able or capable of bridging that gulf.
I am of course for the re-election of Senator Allen, and for his raising to the highest office in the land on 20th January 2009. I am also for Mr. Webb, in an abstract way, against this Miller fellow. I would prefer that the Commonwealth be led by decorated warriors instead of Internet geeks.
It is a shame that Mr. Webb is not a Republican; I would otherwise eagerly vote for him. Nevertheless, I will be watching Mr. Webb as I have in the past.
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1 See here for full citation.
Tip of the Wisconsin hat to Kate O'Beirne.
Posted by Country Pundit at February 8, 2006 12:45 PM | TrackBackAre you kddingme...?
All progressive (or nearly most) are lined right behind James Webb.
When look towards November, we want a winner; and we think James Webb is a winner through and through.
Besides, the Commonwealth has a habit of electing former secretaries of the Navy don't cha know.
Posted by: Mimi Schaeffer at February 8, 2006 07:51 PMI really don't like party politics. Neither did George Washington. So, when someone says "if candidate A weren't a ______'I would otherwise eagerly vote for him,'" I think what rubish. Do we put party interest above the interests of the USA.
We should have the best people in office.
I like Webb no matter where he comes from. I have never voted by party & I never will. I suggest people dump party labels and choose who they think is best. If he be Republican by chance then thats fine, but its non-sense to vote for them just because of party. With that mentality combined with the apathy of the public, we could end up with horrendous leaders (from the left or right) depending on which party has more voters.
I choose Webb whether he is an (R) or a (D). He is my better choice.
Cheers and thanks for your thoughts.