Back in April, I live blogged here at Daily Kos in support of my friend and role model, Jim Webb. At the time I wrote:
Frankly, leaders of James Webb's caliber are not commonplace in America today, nor have they ever been. In fact, our current political process and its focus on money - along with the politics of personal destruction - does more to discourage than encourage men and women of his caliber.
However, these are not ordinary times in America, which is why we, the people, must do more than call for change and a return to good governance. We must also participate in that change and strongly support extraordinary candidates like James Webb.
Today, despite the exceptional service that James Webb has provided to our country, he is facing a tough race against George Allen a rubber stamp for the Bush administration's failed policies here and abroad.
Since then, Jim has gone on to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, and now is facing George "97% Bush Rubber Stamp"Allen in a race that could determine who controls the U.S. Senate come January 2007. This race also has tremendous national significance, given that George Allen wants to be President and is already running hard in Iowa and elsewhere. Can you imagine another 4 years of what we've just been through the past 8 under that other guy named George? No? Me neither. Which is exactly why we need to help Jim Webb defeat George Allen this year, before we ever get to 2008.
Aside from stopping George Allen dead in his fake cowboy boot tracks, I continue to believe strongly in the potential transformational power of Jim Webb on the Democratic Party and on American politics in general. Jim Webb can bring back blue collar, working class, and rural people to the Democratic Party. Jim Webb has the national security credibility to directly counter the Republican slander that the Democrats are "weak" in defending America. And Jim Webb can inject a healthy dose of economic
populism into a Democratic Party that sometimes appears to be too concerned
with corporate interests over the "little guy."
In terms of character, Jim Webb is a man who has served his country his whole life, but has not been a lifelong politician. Instead, Jim Webb brings the intelligence and independence of a journalist, an acclaimed writer, and a leader. Jim Webb has more integrity than almost anyone else I know. He cannot be bought, and in fact he hates the current system of big money donors, lobbyists, and special interest influence on our elected officials. When Jim Webb gets to Washington, that's one of the first things he's going to fight to change.
Lastly, I want to urge you to support Jim Webb just as you supported me in my campaign against Jean Schmidt. Please donate generously to Webb for Senate by clicking here. Thanks.