As many of you know, a group of Democratic grassroots activists in Virginia has been strongly promoting
James Webb to run for US Senate this year against "Cowboy George" Allen. We have received a great deal of support but, frankly, some skepticism that Webb is "really a Democrat." Well,
today's New York Times editorial by Webb should put that to rest once and for all. In short, Webb strongly defends Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) while slamming George W. Bush and the Republicans for "smearing of...political opponents." More on the flip.
Before we get Webb's editorial, a bit of background on him is in order. First, Webb is a Vietnam War hero, having earned the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. In addition, Webb has a JD from Georgetown University; has written six best-selling novels; has even won an Emmy Award as a journalist.
Second, Webb is a man who has spoken out against the Iraq war at least since September 2002, when he asked the question, "Do we really want to occupy Iraq for the next 30 years?"
Third, James Webb was responsible for lobbying the U.S. government to place the statue of the three soldiers at the Vietnam Memorial. Additionally, Webb was the one who argued for inclusion of a black soldier in the statue.
Fourth, On the topic of race, James Webb may well be a visionary. In 2004 he wrote: "the greatest realignment in modern politics would take place rather quickly if the right national leader found a way to bring the Scots-Irish and African Americans to the same table, and so to redefine a formula that has consciously set them apart for the past two centuries."
Fifth, Webb strongly endorsed and defended Democratic Senator Chuck Robb in 1994 against Ollie North's scurrilous attacks. He also condemned the "Swift Boat" attacks against Presidential Candidate John Kerry in 2004.
Finally, Webb has been a leader on integrating women into the military. From The Nightingale's Song by Robert Timberg:
On December 21, 1987, two months before he resigned [as Secretary of the Navy], Webb nearly tripled, to fifteen thousand, the number of seagoing combat-support jobs open to women, moving the Navy into the forefront of the services in terms of expanding opportunities for females. Anticipating the Tailhook scandal by four years, he also ordered a Navy-wide crackdown on sexual harassment.
Oh, and former Sen. Bob Kerrey has stated that Webb has "a unique and powerful voice which could change the course of our nation's future."
Anyway, we're hoping that Webb decides to take on George Allen for US Senate this year. But, as I mentioned above, some have questioned his Democratic "credentials." Well, check this out from his Times' editorial:
IT should come as no surprise that an arch-conservative Web site is questioning whether Representative John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has been critical of the war in Iraq, deserved the combat awards he received in Vietnam.
After all, in recent years extremist Republican operatives have inverted a longstanding principle: that our combat veterans be accorded a place of honor in political circles. This trend began with the ugly insinuations leveled at Senator John McCain during the 2000 Republican primaries and continued with the slurs against Senators Max Cleland and John Kerry, and now Mr. Murtha.
It gets better:
The casting of suspicion and doubt about the actions of veterans who have run against President Bush or opposed his policies has been a constant theme of his career. This pattern of denigrating the service of those with whom they disagree risks cheapening the public's appreciation of what it means to serve, and in the long term may hurt the Republicans themselves.
Then there's this:
The Bush administration's failure to support those who have served goes beyond the smearing of these political opponents.
[...]
The political tactic of playing up the soldiers on the battlefield while tearing down the reputations of veterans who oppose them could eventually cost the Republicans dearly. It may be one reason that a preponderance of the Iraq war veterans who thus far have decided to run for office are doing so as Democrats.
Hey, you think that the last sentence might be a hint or something? Obviously, Webb is disgusted with the Republican Party. The question is whether or not this "Fighting Dem" feels welcomed enough by the Democratic Party to sign up with them to take on George Allen in 2006, before Allen can make a serious run at the White House in 2008. If you believe that it's important to attract the James Webbs of the world into the Democratic Party, and also to stop George Allen right now, then please go to Draft James Webb and tell Mr. Webb how you feel.
Thanks.
Cross posted at Raising Kaine!