After months of careful deliberation, I have finally decided to vote for Jim Webb in the June 13 Democratic primary. I regret that I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Webb. I met his opponent Harris Miller and found him him to be a likeable person and a loyal Democrat. I read Jim Webb's book,
Born Fighting and enjoyed it thoroughly. I would be proud to support either candidate for U.S. Senate against George Allen, but my choice is Jim Webb.
As I have said before, I have had major reservations about Miller because of his past work as a "political advocate", as he prefers to be called. I'm not suggesting that his work was ever improper, but the appearance of nominating a former lobbyist is in bad form. With all due apologies to Mr. Miller, electing a former lobbyist to the U.S. Senate to enact real reform, is akin to the Republicans' move to replace chronic ethics violator Tom Delay with the the similarly crooked current House majority leader, John Boehner.
Reforms are also need with elections. Again, Miller is the wrong candidate. His relationhsip with Diebold, a manufacturer of the controversial touch screen ballot systems, gives the wrong appearance. I have every reason to believe that Miller played by the rules, but any attempt by him to discuss the issue will carry little weight. It would become fodder for Allen the moment the issue is raised.
Aside from these crises of perception, I truly wish I could support Miller's campaign. He is unfortunately, the wrong candidate at the wrong time. On the other hand, Webb may provide the shot in the arm that the progressive movement in Virginia sorely needs.
Recent trends show that much of Virginia has moved markedly to the right, recent governorships aside. There are few senators more conservative than Allen, who also served as Governor before acceding to his Senate seat. I need not remind people of the dark days of the Gilmore governorship either. Even the supposedly purple 2nd congressional district in Virginia Beach has managed to elect the foaming-at-the mouth conservative Thelma Drake.
There is a silver lining, however. Governors Warner and Kaine have shown that Virginians have grown tired of the failed policies of the neo-cons. Neither Warner nor Kaine are hard core liberals, and that is the formula for success here. We need a senate candidate, like Webb, who can reach out in the same modest way to the voters looking for a different direction. Overreaching in this crimson state can be very counterproductive.
Webb is no bleeding heart either. His approach to gay rights has been criticized by some. He does not support gay marriage, but he does seek out compromise that offers more rights for gays and lesbians. That's a point that is lost on my more militant liberal friends whose militant advocacy causes more harm than good. Webb understands that enacting progressive reforms requires building bridges and compromise. Rest assured, Webb will not make reckless giant leaps forward; he will take prudent effective steps toward progress.
Some may also say that Webb is against affirmative action. I used to think so too. The cause of poor white America is one that is very dear to him. He once thought that the Republicans held the answers to the so-called "poor white trash" problem. He has come to realize what most Kossacks have always known: poor whites are merely pawns in the Republican corruption game. Webb does not oppose affirmative action, he favors its expansion to include measures of fairness to help disadvantaged whites. This is the type of creative thinking that Washington needs. It is a cause that can grow the Democratic party in Virginia and throughout the south.
Webb is a decorated Vietnam veteran and has served in some of the military's highest posts. His roots are deep in Virginia, particularly in the conservative leaning rural southwestern part where I was raised. He was not born into a life of priviledge. All this stands in stark contrast to Allen, who has never worn the uniform and was raised the spoiled son of an NFL coach. To my fellow Virginians, join me in voting for Jim Webb on June 13.