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Untangling Webb

By on 11.15.10 @ 6:09AM

Sen. Jim Webb tries to sort things out now that Virginia’s not looking so blue.

To get a sense of how disastrously wrong things have gone for Barack Obama and his party, look no further than Virginia. The only Southern state to vote against Jimmy Carter in 1976, it had seen Democrats make steady gains here for the better part of the last decade.

Democrats captured the governorship in 2001 and held it fairly easily in 2005. Over the next two election cycles, the Democrats won both U.S. Senate seats, took control of the state senate, and picked up three House seats to dominate Virginia’s congressional delegation. The Washington Post brayed “that this once conservative Southern state is starting to become blue in areas beyond left-leaning Northern Virginia.” In 2008, Obama became the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry Virginia since 1964.

What a difference a year or two makes. Last November, Republicans swept Virginia’s constitutional statewide elected offices, taking at least 56 percent of the vote in each of the three contests. Bob McDonnell topped the ticket, winning the governorship with 59 percent. This year, Republicans picked up three congressional seats to reclaim control of the delegation. The GOP came within 1,000 votes of picking up a fourth.

So it was it not surprising to see Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), who is up for reelection in 2012, trying to acclimate himself to the new political reality. In an interview with RealClearPolitics, Webb recalled a conversation with the president about the health care bill. “I told him this was going to be a disaster,” the senator is quoted as saying. “The president believed it was all going to work out.”

Whatever Webb said behind closed doors, his Senate votes are a matter of public record. He was repeatedly an “aye” in favor of advancing what he later called “a disaster.” Webb nevertheless sees himself as a Democratic Cassandra. “I’ve been warning them,” Webb said. “I’ve been having discussions with our leadership ever since I’ve been up here.” Democrats were forgetting about working-class whites, about small business people, and instead fixating on special interest groups.

Publicly, however, Webb’s dissents from Democratic dogma have been few and far between. He voted against a cigarette tax increase and distanced himself from the administration’s timeline for closing Guantanamo Bay. While George W. Bush was still in office, Webb balked at “comprehensive immigration reform” — but only after it was clear the last iteration of McCain-Kennedy wasn’t going to pass. He wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed complaining that some affirmative action programs “allow recently arrived immigrants to move ahead of similarly situated whites whose families have been in the country for generations.”

“I needed to write that just so people were sure I still believed it,” Webb told RealClearPolitics. But that’s been the problem with Senator Webb. As a writer, he was an indisputable cultural conservative: he compared racial preferences to Jim Crow, opposed women in combat, talked about being sickened by Bill Clinton. A believer in a 600-ship Navy, Webb resigned from the Reagan administration over proposed defense budget cuts. Webb the politician, however, has voted in lockstep with Harry Reid while campaigning with Clinton and John Kerry.

Even many conservative commentators suspected there would be some overlap between the old Jim Webb and the new. Andrew Ferguson likened Webb to Pat Buchanan, calling him “the most deeply conservative national Democrat since Grover Cleveland.” Webb was slow to form his domestic policy views, but it was thought that he might mix populism with traditionalism, a belief in a strong military with the idea that it should be used sparingly, a man who would defend rednecks and cut the capital gains tax “in case a redneck wants to sell his stocks.”

That Jim Webb might not have made the leadership of either party happy. But he probably would have had a better chance in Virginia’s current political climate than the Jim Webb who wound up in the Senate. As it was, Webb barely beat George Allen after the “Macaca” debacle during the Democratic landslide year of 2006. His seat will be viewed as a prime Republican pickup opportunity in two years.

Will Webb stick around to defend it? “Still sorting that out.” In the RCP interview, he said, “I didn’t want to position myself in the media as a critic of the administration.” That might prove to have been a mistake.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (126) |

agung| 11.15.10 @ 6:38AM

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Shamus| 11.15.10 @ 12:47PM

Webb is going to find himself in hot water.

Pete Skurkiss| 11.15.10 @ 7:05AM

You say, "Webb was slow to form his domestic policy views, ...."

Come on!

Don't give Jim Webb this much credit. At his core, the man is a cheap opportunist. Let's remember, he was first a Democrat who became a Republican who then conveniently accepted a high position in the Reagan Administration.

The guy grew up, you say. Okay.

But then Webb smelled an opportunity to be senator from Virginia and so switched back to being a Democrat -- an Obama voting Democrat no less -- and won election by the good, old Democrat tradition of smearing a principled opponent, who in this case was George Allen.

Ah, but now that the U.S.S. B. Hussein Obama has hit the rocks, Webb is looking for the lifeboat by trying to talk conservative. Please.

Webb is a shallow & transparent turncoat. His defeat in 2012 is something honorable and principled people all over the nation should welcome. I know I will.

PJ| 11.15.10 @ 7:29AM

I can't agree more w/what you write about Webb.

I didn't know he was a democrat before Reagan which makes the man even more of a louse. I can't think of any politician who left his political party for another & then returned. He's a bonifide, true blue opportunist!

Virginia----please vote this man out of office in 2012!

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 8:51AM

PJ- If I am not mistaken, wasn't Arlen Spector a Democrat first, then became a Republican to win election in PA, and then turned back to the Democrats?

Yes, I will be voting against Webb in 2012.

PJ| 11.15.10 @ 9:17AM

Oops! You're absolutely right. I try to forget about scum as quickly as possible.

AMENBRO| 11.15.10 @ 9:20AM

LT DAN, as he is called by a Richmond , Va. AM radio personality is a real profile in courage POS. Let his staffer take the rap, when WEBB was caught packing heat/firearm in, I believe an Airport, may be wrong. Trying to dodge it again LOL

Steve in Stafford VA| 11.15.10 @ 6:45PM

I wrote Webb weekly for a year to vote against Obamacare. He send me self serving emails that ignored my request and a majority of VA voters. He voted with Obama and he will be defeated in 2012 with with Obama. I hope Allen runs again ans whips him good.

MikeD| 11.15.10 @ 7:12PM

What I remember most about the last Senate race with Allen was the shameless way the media did anything they could to elect Webb, while smearing an honorable man. It's typical of the Democrats and their willing lackeys in the media.

I am a firm believer in freedom of the press, but these a$$holes abuse it to death and smile piusly when they're caught. Since Dan (C)raphers' vicious attempt to make up evidence smearing George Bush's National Guard Service, I have advocated the "Chinese" penalty for the scum who abuse their position in media to lie, cheat, and distort things. I hope Webb gets blown out, along with the rest of the scum Democrats who have arrogantly destroyed our Country with glee.

Pelligrino| 11.17.10 @ 3:12AM

No worries, folks. The "Dump Jim W." juggernaut is well underway already.

Any Virginian is presently asking two questions:

1. Other than self aggrandizement, what has Webb done these past 4 years?
2. Why do we have to wait another 2 years to do the inevitable?

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 9:31AM

Another Amen to your comments Pete. Add my name to the Virginians who will be voting against Webb in '12. I didn't vote for him the first time either. The guy is skunk.

Ed Wallis| 11.15.10 @ 2:39PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D - VA) : 2012's answer to 2010's Charlie Crist (FL).

Buh bye!

bkinva| 11.15.10 @ 3:30PM

There is nothing to "Untangle". Webb is a transparent political chamelion. I did call his office after his Christmas Eve 2009 vote for health care, you know, what he nows calls a "disaster". I told the staffer to please thank Webb for making me politically active. I will now work tirelessly to make sure he nevers holds office in Va again. What a opportunist, policy-wonk hack. I can't stand the jerk. I really hope George Allen runs in 2012 for a rematch.

Timothy L. Pennell| 11.16.10 @ 6:54AM

Yes. Jim Webb is a good writer. Whether it's an Op Ed in the paper, a Filipina Stripper and a Coke Bottle, or a Vietnamese Father with his young son's penis in his mouth. That guy can write.
(Is it me? Or is this one SICK Son of a B*tch?)

Tim*| 11.15.10 @ 7:28AM

Webb's a Jerk. He still can't get over Ollie North beating him in The Brigade Boxing Championships, at The Naval Academy.

And "On November 28, 2006, at a White House reception for those newly elected to Congress, Webb declined to stand in the line to have his picture taken with the president, whom Webb often criticized during the campaign. The president approached Webb later and asked him, "How's your boy?", referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq. Webb replied "I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President." Bush responded, "That's not what I asked you. How's your boy?" Webb responded, "That's between me and my boy, Mr. President." The Hill cited an anonymous source who claimed that Webb was so angered by the exchange that he confessed he was tempted to "slug" the president. Webb later remarked in an interview, "I'm not particularly interested in having a picture of me and George W. Bush on my wall."

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 8:33AM

I thought I remembered something about that incident. Yeah - Webb keeping it classy - a sure sign of a nutroots mind - the President of the United States asks a question in genuine concern about a serving member, and this moron blows him off. Good job, Webb. He couldn't simply say "He's well, Sir" and leave it at that. No - he had to interject politics into a personal remark by his sons CinC. Only a Democrat.

Mike W| 11.15.10 @ 9:44AM

Webb, who saw real combat as a Marine in Vietnam, was offended that a chickenhawk such as George Bush (and even more so, Dick Cheney) brought up the subject of his son who was fighting in a pointless war in Iraq. Leave aside the fact that Webb's son was a volunteer and didn't have to be there, Webb was offended by the President whom he clearly considered a lesser man.

How is that being a "jerk"? That's just reality.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 10:02AM

Others of us who served voluntarily in Vietnam and were frustrated by the way the war in Iraq was going saw Webb's behavior as boorish and unbecoming of the person who holds such a high public office. It was a petty personal temper tantrum by a young Marine's dad who ran for the Senate because he wanted to protect his son from the dangers of war. When your child puts on the uniform of the U.S. he/she accepts the risks, which includes policies and decisions that the parent may not agree with. Webb was there as a U.S. Senator from Virginia, NOT as his son's dad who has a beef with the President about being in Iraq. This was an example of Webb using the public office for his personal purposes: ie- a grudge against the President. Webb is a jerk, and that's being polite about it.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 4:51PM

That is utter Bravo Sierra. Bush was a fighter pilot. The fact that he was in a reserve component means absolutely nothing, as the current war in the sandbox clearly shows. Don't toss that red herring crap into the situation. I suppose John F'in Kerry is a hero in your mind for his bravery and 3 Purple Heart medals - all totally undeserved, all submitted by himself, and all in 3 months in country? He's a freaking coward who would do anything to get his ass out of the war and join his commie buddies in VVAW.

Chuckee| 11.15.10 @ 5:13PM

I agree. Kerry is the perfect example of a troop that the US would have been better off had he not served than had he served.He was a disgrace to the uniform.

Bo| 11.15.10 @ 10:09AM

It would appear that Webb takes himself far too seriously, if that was his response. He should have found more offense with caucusing with John F. Kerry and all the other Democrats that voted to authorize the "pointless war". At least Bush's position wasn't of temporary political expediency.

Chris| 11.15.10 @ 11:32AM

to Mike W.
that may be your interpretation of Webb's conduct, but unless you are a mind reader you do not know. you are giving us your lefty liberal opinion, trying to disguise it as Webb's.
If Webb truly believed what you believe, then he is a total hypocrite to vote and caucus with the democrats who constantly crititcize the military, such as Sen.Durbin comparing the military to Naziz, or obama saying the military is terrorizing the civilians in Iraq,etc,etc.

Michael Tomlinson| 11.15.10 @ 3:38PM

Webb is a lesser man for his embrace of the gutless anti-America Barack Obama and a policy of appeasing murderous Muslim terrorists. As for chickenhawks/pussies Mike W is definitely one like his boy Jim Webb.

Frank Natoli| 11.15.10 @ 5:49PM

Webb's public behavior with Bush was proof that Webb has no class. Your characterization of Bush as a "chickenhawk" is proof that you have no class.

MikeD| 11.15.10 @ 7:17PM

No, It's STILL being a jerk. You obviously never served, and certainly have no idea how any Marine would address his C in C regardless of his politics. I noticed the Marines didn't spit on Obama when he slithered to military bases, which he deserved for his traitorous Rules of Engagement he's imposed on our troops. Semper Fi.

Jeff Y| 11.15.10 @ 9:04PM

Webb was being a jerk. As a combat vet, I'd have been honored to have the President, regardless of his party affiliation or military background, inquire of my well-being.

Your attitude, and that of your ill-mannered fellow travelers on the extreme Left, is the reason why Democrats will continue to be tossed out of Washington in droves. You are classless thugs.

And if you think the war in Iraq is pointless, perhaps it's because you've never met a Shia'h Iraqi who saw his relatives beaten or murder by Saddam's henchmen. Millions of Iraqis, Sunni and Shia'h alike, now have far greater opportunities to live in a prosperous, modern, secular Iraq.

THAT is just reality.

Nostromo| 11.15.10 @ 3:45PM

I well remember that exchange. A revealing remark of a very small man.

WilliamInWien| 11.15.10 @ 8:10AM

As a constituent of Senator Webb, I took a good number of opportunities to communicate my views on pending legislation and in return, was assured that my views would be part of his, (Webb's) considerations. Webb continued to vote, almost lock-step, with the Democratic majority. The last response to one of my messages I deemed to be nothing more than pablum. My only hope is that the Republicans and the Tea Party will put forth a strong candidate to oppose Webb in 2012.

crookedwren| 11.15.10 @ 9:14AM

Not only did he vote lockstep -- even after being swamped with calls, emails, and faxes from his constituents (including moi) -- he never would go public with his leanings up to the minute of voting. I would call, ask the staffer how he was planning to vote on said issue, and 100% of the time, I was told that Webb had yet to issue a statement of that. Often the staffer was still saying that minutes within the call for cloture or the vote.

I helped Griffith beat Boucher. I'll help nearly anyone with a backbone beat Webb.

Grandpa| 11.15.10 @ 12:31PM

I hope they pick someone besides George Allen. Don't get me wrong, I plan to vote against Webb. It's just that I'd like to have someone to vote FOR, instead of just against.

Chalkdust| 11.15.10 @ 8:15AM

Having lived in Virginia for a number years and a one time admirer of Webb, principally because of his book on Scottish-Americans. I can attest to the fact that Webb is a deeply flawed man, who should not be entrusted to sit in the US Senate.

bull-gator| 11.15.10 @ 8:41AM

With all due respect to Chalkdust, it is the "Scots-Irish" or "Ulster Scots" of which Webb writes in his book "Born Fighting". A historical narrative of those immigrants philosophy, hard work, and combative style on which the backbone of this great country of ours was founded.

winterhawk| 11.15.10 @ 8:33AM

Webb is only one example of the sitting liberals wondering what went wrong. They've all lied to us about almost everything that has happened in the liberal Congress since they took control. They are all of the opinion that, we, the people, who are the government, are stupid. They've forgotten that they work for us. We do not work for them. This recent election has sent a shock to their "spines" and the turmoil they face in haveing to govern now is biting them where the sun doesn't shine. It remains to be seen if they continue to think of us as "stupid." In my opinion, I know where stupid belongs.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 8:38AM

Webb, of course, wants to be re-elected. Like a typical politician he is slithering around looking for ways to mediate his positions to make himself more palatable to the party he now sees as a threat to his power and perks of office. Like many Democrats he is trying to distance himself from the policies of the 1 term president who he has backed each and every vote. Clue - it won't work. We are wise to you and those like you, Webb. Start looking for a new job now and avoid the rush after 2012. Try living under the policies you Democrat cretins have foisted off on America.

Stormzeye| 11.15.10 @ 8:51AM

Webb gives opportunism a bad name.

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 9:09AM

Webb didn't beat George Allen by all that much. The WaPo took Allen's macaca comment to new heights and charges of racism. It was also widely know that Webb wrote a novel about a father having sexual relations with his son, but that was ignored. Of course it was, the Liberals have no sense of morals.

Webb doesn't have a snowball's chance in he!! this time around. My beloved state of VA has awoken. Heck, we were even able to get rid of the Soros funded Marxist Perriello. Things are looking good in VA.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 9:37AM

Another thing the MSM ignored about Webb is his gratuitous use of the "N" word in his novels. The guy is/was somehow obsessed with the word. The MSM also ignored Webb's self admitted late teenage jaunt through the Watts section of LA wherein he waved a gun and yelled the "N" word at the local residents. Imagine if any conservative or Republican had done something like this at any age or in any era.

Liz| 11.15.10 @ 9:35AM

Like my fellow Virginians on this site, I called and e-mailed, pleading with Webb to vote 'no' on health care and other mega spending debacles! In one reply, he portrayed himself as one I should feel sorry for, that the weight of his decisions was very heavy, and in the end, he had to vote his conscience. I was so angry, I fired back that he was elected to vote the will of the people, not his damned conscience. He voted for health care. He's toast in 2012!

Alex| 11.15.10 @ 9:49AM

I too was willing to give him a chance until the healthcare reform vote. What really upset me is the inane responses he send back in response to my emails and letters.

As I promised him then, I will leave no stone unturned to retire him in 2012. The icing on the cake would be if Allen gets in. Then we can payback W Post too for its role in 2006.

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 4:54PM

Alex- The WaPo also tried to take McDonald down as well with their idiot articles about McDonald's 20 year old college thesis. They didn't accomplish their goal this time, and, they won't again in 2012. Isn't the WaPo the home of the Journolisters?

Alex| 11.15.10 @ 7:18PM

Yep. They are the home of many JournoListers.
I canceled my WaPo subscription after they took down Allen. This year they did a few nasty sarcastic hit pieces on the Tea Party folks.

They have a few smart people on the business/marketing side - so they may not go totally in the tank for Obama in 2012 like the NY Times would. Let us see.

CharlieEcho| 11.15.10 @ 9:41AM

(Democrats were forgetting about working-class whites, about small business people, and instead fixating on special interest groups.)
("in case a redneck wants to sell his stocks.")

Two lines above from the article. The first seemed attributed to Webb though there were no quotation marks. The second; rednecks are not only seen on programs such as "Springer". Many good ole' "rednecks" have large portfolios and vote Republican. Some call them farmers.
That all said, Webb is a "Marine" turned politician. His record has shown his true colors to be his own. It's time he was retired.

MikeD| 11.15.10 @ 7:25PM

REDNECK! Think about the term. It is the single most highly prized, and admired, cultural slur in America. Give me a few thousand rednecks and I'll take on a million Obama style effete, tutu wearing, 'metrosexual' pansies and destroy them in a heartbeat. Wear the term proudly. I don't know one Redneck who can't shoot accurately on the run and doesn't have more 'real' useful knowledge than a million Harvard educated Libtards. We represent the heart and soul of our Country.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:34PM

Amen, Mike.

Old Joe| 11.15.10 @ 9:50AM

Webb, the opportunist, may switch parties in anticipation of the 2012 elections. If so, that would make him the ultimate flip-flopper.

Michael Tomlinson| 11.15.10 @ 3:26PM

Republicans in Virginia should reject him like Alabamans rejected Parker Griffith. We don't need charlatan opportunists like Webb in our party. You'd never know when he was going to "stab you in the back." One of Ronald Reagan's biggest mistakes was letting the incompetent Webb resign instead firing him and making him unelectable.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:19PM

The VA GOP would never take Webb into the party.

Rumah Mungil Yang Sehat | 11.15.10 @ 10:46AM

nice info...

OldSeabee| 11.15.10 @ 11:02AM

I, too, am disappointed in Mr. Webb's lack of concern for the Commonwealth which he is SUPPOSED to represent, not the political party dejour. I wonder if he suffered a head wound in RVN, which might explain his contrary behavior. I, for one, would like to see US Senators appointed by the governers of the states, and then the Senators would have a greater appreciation of whom they represented.
To change the subject, work very hard to resist the efforts to abolish the Electoral College. It protects the voting rights of the lesser populated states against the urban areas on the East and West coasts. Mr. Webb's current party wants to eliminate the Electoral College to ensure governing power in perpituity. Mr. Webb may have been born fighting, but no one wins every fight.

Michael Tomlinson| 11.15.10 @ 3:32PM

When Webb put a D behind his name he announced to the world, that like all Democrats, he was a liberal I'm in it for myself.

chris| 11.15.10 @ 11:37AM

I have read and enjoyed all of Webb's books. It is hard to reconcile the views and opinions in those books with his record as a senator. Webb also wrote a very good article published in the wall street journal about the end of the vietnam war.
Webb is a angry man.

moron| 11.15.10 @ 11:38AM

So Jim, you saw the disaster coming and warned against Obamacare?? Correct?? Your constituents were against Obamacare, correct?? Yet you voted for Obamacare and now you're trying to save your skin, correct?? AMF.

@notpjorourke| 11.15.10 @ 11:49AM

Senators tip there hands on their elective future with their wallets, Webb has virtually no money is his campaign account and shows no sign of being willing or able to raise the $10+M it would take to run a credible re-elect. Even then his chances vs George Allen or other GOP heavyweight like LG Bollings or AG Cooch are somewhere short of 50/50 AT BEST.

I bet dollars to doughnuts that he calls it a career or maybe even gets appointed SecDef (a job he is lobbying for HARD), either way he won't be on the ballot in '12 and it will be up to Kaine, Periello or Connolly to take on the role of sacraficial lamb.

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 5:06PM

I'd love nothing more than to see Perriello take on our Republican Senate candidate. There is so much there to see with the Perriello Soros connection it makes your head spin. Perriello got in on Obama's coat-tails in 08, and, only by 747 votes, that were found in a car trunk after the election was called for Goode. He couldn't steal the vote this time against Hurt, and, Hurt wasn't our strongest candidate. I suspect Perriello will now be going back to work for Open Society Institute, or will be given a juicy spot at Center for American Progress. Soros can't afford to lose one of his best puppets.

Pelligrino| 11.17.10 @ 3:31AM

Good riddance to Tom "keep on stealin' Perriello (still the Virginia 5th District Congressman...but for just 6 more weeks.)

Talk about a youngster with no real life experiences (no jobs ever)....all he'd done was go to school before running to unseat Congressman Virgil Goode. He was/is a joke.

If I could have been the overseer of the ballot recount in November 2008, I am sure I would have uncovered 2,000+ fraudulent votes throughout the 5th District.

Virginians need a solid, honest, truly conservative, man with integrity (a real Christian faith would be ideal) to carry the GOP primary for this US Senate seat in November 2012, and it won't matter who the Democrats have.

Clinton nee Publius| 11.15.10 @ 11:54AM

This seat will be a Tea Party pick-up in the election cycle that will see the Senate Tea Party Caucus morph into the Tea Party that has a total of 9 to 11 senators and control of the legislation in that body. Democrats and Republicans will be unable to pass any legislation without the Tea Parties and all of this will become irrelevant.

Pick the Tea Parties to block in "The Washington Squares".

You heard it here first.

Yosemeti Sam| 11.15.10 @ 11:59AM

" ... Whatever Webb said behind closed doors, his Senate votes are a matter of public record...."

Webb, trapped - in his own WEB.

What's that saying - you can run but you can't hide.

LOL.

ทาสีคอนโด | 11.15.10 @ 12:29PM

I can't agree more w/what you write about Webb.

J. Brick| 11.15.10 @ 1:50PM

Oh what a tangled Webb we weave when first we practice to deceive.

W. Shakespeare (slightly amended)

Jack Bauer| 11.15.10 @ 2:13PM

O, what a tangled Webb we weave,
when first we practise to deceive.

Actually it's Sir Walter Scott. But so apt.

J. Brick| 11.15.10 @ 2:24PM

Just for the record, the slight amendment was attributing the quote to Mr. Shakespeare rather than the actual author.

sean| 11.15.10 @ 2:29PM

Pete wrote "At his core, the man is a cheap opportunist."

Hey, screw you!! He has served our country honorably for decades. I don't always agree with him, but for you to call him an opportunist is B.S.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 2:52PM

Since when does "serving your country honorably" disqualify anyone from being an opportunist or give them carte blanche for everything they do? This was the prime argument for McCain's candidacy wasn't it? "OK, Mac's a dummy and an backstabbing A-hole, but he served honorably so STFU and vote for him." It seems "serving honorably" is the new last refuge of scoundrels.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 4:58PM

If that is your yardstick, can we assume you feel the same way about Jack Murtha, may he rot in hell?

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 5:14PM

Don't forget John Kerry. Didn't he injure himself to get out of the military? Didn't he also make some kind of remark about studying hard in school, or you will wind up in the military? The Libs have no respect for our military members, that keep them safe, and, sometimes unfortunately pay the ultimate price for their sacrifice. Sorry, Webb is a Dem which means that he deserves no respect for his military service, if he respected our military, he would be a Republican.

Jeff Y.| 11.15.10 @ 9:19PM

And don't forget about Lt. Albert Gore, the Senator's son whose service in 'Nam was limited to the oh-so-dangerous Saigon offices of Stars & Stripes. McCain went through hell for this country, yet the press & the Dems trashed him and his character. The Webb apologists can bend over and kiss my @$$. He's an opportunist, just admit it and move on.

Jack Bauer| 11.15.10 @ 2:39PM

seam
Maybe Webb did serve his country honorably. I believe there have been murderers on death row who also did so.

And let's not even get into Benedict Arnold prior to his opportunism

However when you vote for 100% party line for legislation at the time when you have deluded yourself that it will become popular...

And then claim, when it proves to be as UNPOPULAR as many predicted, that you WARNED against it...

Well there's a word for that...

OPPORTUNIST.

If you think differntly, please give me your description of Webb's behavior.

Michael Tomlinson| 11.15.10 @ 3:19PM

Jim Webb is the quintessential Blue Dog Democrat - a liberal two-faced lying jackass. Anyone who believed he would be some "conservative savior" of the Democrat party was either obtuse or willfully ignorant. The only time Democrats "vote" against their party is when it won't hurt the actual passage of their anti-Constitutional legislation. Witness sleazy Jason Altmire who made sure Obamacare came to the floor (insuring its passage), but then "voted" against to help his reelection bid. The Democrat party is a leftist party and it is time so-called conservatives learned that simple truth. I hope like Ike Skelton Jim Webb is humiliated at the polls in 2012 and his disgraceful political career comes to an end.

AtlantaBill| 11.15.10 @ 3:46PM

Wow ... not a virginian but how can anyone be so against someone of Sen Webb's stature? Never mind, I now understand - all of you are allowing your "southern instinct to hate the Black Guy" overwhelm your 'who me' facade.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 5:01PM

Webb is black? WHO KNEW!

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 5:17PM

AtlantaBill- You are a racist.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:12PM

So, you voted for McCain in '08 because he had more "stature" than Obama, correct?

Dave F| 11.16.10 @ 2:21PM

AtlantaBill, If you were a Virginian, you would know that Sen Webb's stature was basically standing up for everything that Barry, and Harry, and Nancy said. Webb's votes were all supported by about 30% of Virginia voters.
Webb is a veteran and served with distinction. As have a number of homeless men on the streets of DC today.
Webb is not black, and few Virginians are racists. Virginia was, I beleive, the first state to elect a black govenor where race had little to due with his election.
I believe that you are probably referring to his holiness, Barry. It needs to be recognized by all who call people who do not like socialists in the government 'racists' that off all the ethnic groups that he might belong to, musilm, white, African, Hippie, Barrack H. Obama is NOT an African-American .
So, I do not have hard feelings about Big Brother because he is black. He isn't. Samo about his being musilm, white, or African. I have hard feelings about Big Brother because he is a socialist. After 20 years of distinguished service keeping the world safe for democracy, it does get under my skin that we have a communist in the white house. But even there, I've known a number of really really wonderful people where a bit deluded about socialism. Barry, on the other hand, is pretty objectively, not a really, really wonderful person. He is an egotistical narsistic, aristocrat. If you have been communicating with Sen Webb concerning his votes, you would also find him to be cut from the same cloth, reguardless of his prior military service.

R Sweeney| 11.15.10 @ 3:49PM

Webb has the political spine of fresh pasta.

He will SAY anything, but when the Democrat Party asks for his vote, he's there for them.

Stand Firm| 11.15.10 @ 4:02PM

He is hiding out, I am not sure he has ever been to Richmond, VA. He is gone in 2012, and he knows it.

Seriously| 11.15.10 @ 4:22PM

@Michael Tomilinson and others: What's it like to walk around at all times with such vitriol and hate in your heart? Dislike Webb, vote against him, do whatever you want, but describing him as a 'leftist' and a 'scoundrel' is just so patently ridiculous that it would be funny if it wasn't that kind of mindless rage that's destroying our country.
Hate the healthcare bill all you want, that's your right, but to think that a duly elected president with large majorities in both house somehow hijacked the country and passed the bill is just absurd and pointless. Go ahead, repeal it just like your grandfathers said Social Security and Medicare should be repealed because they were examples of creeping socialism. And then go and plan your retirement taking into account your Social Security checks. Go ahead, treat Conservative Democrats like Jim Webb is the devil and act like George Allen is some kind of savior. All you're doing is making everyone in the middle think you're a bunch of loony tunes and insuring Obama's re-election in 2012. Enjoy!

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 5:02PM

Been drinking a lot of kool-aid lately?

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 5:23PM

Bruce- I think he is drinking something other than kool-aid, and smoking something much worse.

Did you get his talking point- The Republicans are going to make granny eat Dog Food. He may be the very one who did Alan Greyson's poster maker where he says the Republicans healthcare plan is to die quickly. Little does he realize that Obama really does have a death panel.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 10:33PM

Yes I did, Sandy. That has long been a meme of the Dem Party - scare the seniors into voting for them, as they promise minorities virtually everything short of being required to work to get their votes. In fact - it was the DEM party that moved Social Security from the trust fund plan to the governments General Fund so they could drain it dry to pay for more entitlements for their supporters. You know - the leeches.

Watch what happens in January when the Dems "health care plan" cuts Medicare payouts to doctors by 23%. Who do these people think is going to pick up the difference? THEY ARE!

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:10PM

Vitriol and hate? Mike's analysis just sounds objective to me. Two faced? Sounds accurate. Liar? Sounds accurate. Jackass? Ok, that is personal opinion, but it isn't hateful per se. You can't know what is in Mike's heart when he uses the term. Jackass is generally used as a synonym for a stupid person. Webb's explanations of his 'valorous' 'populist' votes sounds pretty stupid to me.

JohnCCalhoun| 11.15.10 @ 4:24PM

No mystery to Webb: he has always been a consistent populist -- probably the only genuine popuklist in the entire Congress. This type was once prevalent among Southern politicians and they remain a plurality among the electorate at-large, when stacked against the adherents of the Greedy Oligarch Party and Socialist/minorities-rule crowd.

It was entirely consistent with this philosophy to ultimately back the seriously flawed health care bill insofar as there otherwise would have been no significant change to the even worse status-quo for a generation. (We pay a third more for our health care than the rest of the post-industrial world for significantly worse results.)

Don't look for Webb to seek re-election, however. he is thoroughly disgusted by the DC works: ruled by private interest lobbyists who buy their way to unfair advantage at the public's expense. Hopefully he'll run for President on a Populist ticket, which will prevail by 2016 -- either on its own or after merging with the Ds or Rs.

chris| 11.15.10 @ 6:56PM

It was entirely consistent with this philosophy to ultimately back the seriously flawed health care bill insofar as there otherwise would have been no significant change to the even worse status-quo for a generation. (We pay a third more for our health care than the rest of the post-industrial world for significantly worse results"
Are you serious? what country do you move to when you need medical treatment? cuba? north korea? or canada to wait six months for an mri or cataract surgery?
the reason health care is expensive is because we conduct many tests to diagnose, and as a defense to malpractice suits, and our medical providers, such as doctors, nurses, administrators, and others are all well paid. there is nothing the government can do about this except to restrict damages in malpractice suits, allow more medical savings accounts so people pay the bills and therefore will monitor the bills, and allow more interstate competition among health insurers.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:00PM

How long have you been on Webb's staff and how much does he pay you?

Save Virginia| 11.15.10 @ 4:28PM

I just wish we could send both illustrious,not, Virginia senators packing in 12.

Refuse2Lose| 11.15.10 @ 4:38PM

Jim Webb is the epitomy of what an opportunist is all about. He licks his finger and sticks it in the wind to see which way the political breeze is blowing,then he changes accordingly. Many people here ate up the hype behind Obama and connected anyone with a D in front of their name with the "Annointed One".

Virginia has been for many years a conservative state,and we screwed up in 08. But don't worry,we will atone for that mistake in 2012.... BIGTIME

Citizen of Virginia| 11.15.10 @ 4:40PM

"The Navy Cross is presented to James H. Webb, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 July 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex which appeared to be unoccupied. Deploying his men into defensive positions, First Lieutenant Webb was advancing to the first bunker when three enemy soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out. Reacting instantly, he grabbed the closest man and, brandishing his .45 caliber pistol at the others, apprehended all three of the soldiers. Accompanied by one of his men, he then approached the second bunker and called for the enemy to surrender. When the hostile soldiers failed to answer him and threw a grenade which detonated dangerously close to him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in the bunker aperture, accounting for two enemy casualties and disclosing the entrance to a tunnel. Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data. Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade. Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body. Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

This man is a patriot who has plenty of backbone.

Sandy| 11.15.10 @ 5:30PM

Citizen of Virginia- If Webb had any backbone he wouldn't be a Democrat. If Webb had any backbone, he would have taken his own advice, that he shared with Obama, behind closed doors, and would have not walked in lock step to vote for something he knew would destroy our economy and our freedoms. Yup, he may have fought for the countries freedom on the battlefield, but, then went into government and voted against us Americans with the Libs attempted coup on all of us.

CharlieEcho| 11.15.10 @ 6:50PM

While I respect Senator Webb's record as a Marine, that was then this is now. We need people with a "backbone" to stand up for the people. Did he not vote for the "Health Care Bill"? Has he not positioned himself in various forms for re-election?
We in Ill-noise have sent a representative in place of Sen. Obama who embellished his war record. His opponent though had no record to embellish. Must we continue to accept a lesser of evils? Record or no, we need to vote for those that are doing "our" job. The job the people expect. War hero or no hero.

Rose| 11.15.10 @ 7:34PM

COV -- let me tell you a story about this "patriot".
We went to Arlington for the memorial day ceremony the year he was running for Senate. Jim Webb parked the SUV with the big "Born Fighting -- Jim Webb for Senate" logo painted on it in Section 60. On Memorial Day. There was no need to park cars that far away from the ceremony; there were many spots much closer. I was there with my fiancee, a bona fide war hero with two Bronze Stars for valor, who was visiting the grave of one of his fallen brothers. We drove back to that section after the ceremony. The Webb vehicle was parked all by itself, where all of the grieving families at the fresh graves would see it. My fiancee sent a blistering email to the Webb campaign, to which he only received a "thanks for your email" response, and then ended up on the Webb mailing list for the rest of the campaign (despite numerous requests to be removed from the list). I used to respect Webb, too, but not after that.

MikeD| 11.15.10 @ 7:35PM

Webb is just like John McCain and others who get a taste of the perks and spend the rest of their lives betraying the very basis of their heroism during their youth.

It reminds me of my first dog. He was a male, and I cringed every time I thought about getting him 'fixed'. Bad move. He snuck out one night and got a little 'action'. He was never the same, and I had to reluctantly get him neutered when he turned mean to my kids.

Same thing with Webb and McCain. They lost their way, and the perks became more important than the reason the people sent them to Washington in the first place. Throw him out on his decorated butt; he betrayed the Corps. Semper Fi!

Seriously| 11.15.10 @ 8:48PM

That is literally the worst analogy I've ever read.

modern sanity | 11.15.10 @ 4:58PM

As a lifelong Virginia resident I took and still take great offense at Senator Webb's office who made fun of me when I challenged their position in the healthcare debate. I was really angered at the thought of being mocked by staffers who had the worst grammer on earth berate me. I was not not born yesterday and have a degree in Corporate Finance from one of our fine institutions from the Old Dominion. I will NEVER vote for him and will tell EVERYONE how his office shunned me on not one but 3 occasions, and although I don't usually give money to campaigns am ready to line up and support his opponents to the full legal contribution limit. Jim Webb should just retire and save himself the embarrassment. Healthcare is not the only thing we are going to REPEAL AND REPLACE come 2012, Laura Ingram joked she would run. I would vote for that UVA grad in a second over a person who had so little political pull that the Navy just decided to "announce" the closing of JFCOM with no consultation. His time to go has come. This is what happens when people are so arrogant they will not listen, he voted in lockstep with Harry Reid, no amount of get out the vote can save him as the citizens of the Commonwealth are not influenced by cheap operatives and we have a vote to get out of our own, it is the votes Stupid. Can you hear us now?

Cvillian| 11.15.10 @ 5:10PM

Webb the war hero is Webb the Political Coward! If he had a "political backbone" he would have voted against Obama's healthcare plan, and he would have sided with Virginians who are against the social programs, redistribution of wealth, roll-back of the Bush-era tax cuts etc. I voted for Webb in '06, but he is toast in my book. He has turned against the voters who thought he was a Democrat of a different color, but he turned out to be like Reid, Pelosi and Obama. Kiss your job good-bye Senator!!

Icarus| 11.15.10 @ 5:26PM

That Webb voted for the healthcare bill knowing all the time it would be a disaster tells us all we need to know about him and about what is wrong with the Democrats in Washington.

Kenny| 11.15.10 @ 5:32PM

I get it. The backbone that Webb's apologists refer to is the one that enables him to lie to the face of his constituency about his pending votes and then fall in behind the radical Obama/Reid/Pelosi agenda.

I bet Obama and Reid give Jimmy a good pat on the head for that.

Webb is a clear and present danger to our Republic. The man's gotta go.

Seriously| 11.15.10 @ 8:50PM

Wow, Kenny, think your rhetoric might be a tad overheated? Webb is a clear and present danger? Man, get some real problems.

TexMac| 11.15.10 @ 5:37PM

Virginia, you messed up and started running toward blue. Now all of your reasonable citizens will begin running to Texas like the reasonable people in other blue states, and Virgina will be lost to the same fate as California and Michigan.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 6:55PM

Your info is incorrect. We've already begun going back to the right. VA's biggest problem is liberal Yankees moving here trying to turn it into the new New York. Mostly they live just outside DC or in Charlottesville.

Aqua Buddha| 11.15.10 @ 5:56PM

Sen. Webb will either: (1) Run as fast and far as he can away from Obama for the next 2 years; (2) change from D to R; or (3) be addressed as "former Senator Webb" in 2013.

Moviegoer| 11.15.10 @ 6:13PM

I met Webb some years ago and found him to be both rude and curiously lacking in social graces. I wondered if the man had a personality disorder. Given his behavior since then both as a candidate and senator and his tendency to blow with whatever wind will enhance his status, I hope he'll be "retired" from public service.

Jack Bauer| 11.15.10 @ 6:17PM

To all the WEBB defenders.

Please provide the explanation as to why a man would vote for something in public while apparently "telling all who would listen in PRIVATE" that it was a disaster.

I would serious like you to defend THAT -- instead of his service. What exactly in that behavior is honorable? I would honestly like to know, because I don't see it.

And that's what he should be relected on right? His votes in the Senate as opposed to his previous service.

Because if that's the criterion it would be President John McCain right now. Webb isn't claiming he voted for McCain is he, becaue of his superior service record over Obama?

Citizen of Virginia| 11.15.10 @ 7:17PM

His record of prior service is a reflection of his character which was under personal attack from more than one who has commented on this site. In his own words "I voted today in favor of health care reform legislation in the Senate," Webb wrote. "I did so despite my disappointment with some sections of the bill, which I will continue to address in the future. But the final package presented by the majority leader reflects many improvements that take into consideration the concerns that I and others brought forward during the debate. "

Jim Webb created the New GI Bill and is the only Democrat that I know who is hesitant to overturn DADT. I believe the man is one of the few thoughtful leaders from any party in today's Senate and I am proud he is from Virginia.

JimP| 11.15.10 @ 7:29PM

You wrote a reply to JB's comment, but did not answer his question. Why?

We get it that you work for Webb. Instead of giving us commercials for Webb, you'd have better luck trying to sell people a Chevy Volt.

Citizen of Virginia| 11.15.10 @ 8:15PM

JP sorry for not being clear. In his own words is the response to his question. He voted for it because he thought it was good for the American People and whether you agree with him or not I think his motives were honorable. He also realized it had flaws and could see that it was politically very unpopular thats why he seemingly had pre vote doubts. I do not work for him nor do I agree with all of his politcs but I believe the man is honorable.

Seriously| 11.15.10 @ 8:51PM

JimP, nice work! Guy disagrees with you and you go to the 'you must work for Webb' remark. Not very original, but god bless you!

JimP| 11.16.10 @ 5:31AM

LOL Thanks for the compliment and the blessing.

cebva| 11.15.10 @ 6:44PM

Webb and his wascally cohort Warner both voted for Obamacare without reading the bill. They also voted for the stimulus without reading the bill. All because Obama told them to. They are both lock-step liberals and totally out of touch with Virginians. I look forward to voting them out the very next opportunity and will do everything in my power to make it so.

moron| 11.15.10 @ 7:35PM

Everyone that voted for the bill did so without having read it. Pelosi wasn't kidding when she stated "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." 1900 pages read in 13 hours?? Lazy Democrat Congressmen read 1900 detailed crap in 13 hours?? Oh yea, 100% of deliberations were on C-Span!!

J Baustian| 11.15.10 @ 9:04PM

Though I admire Jim Webb as a writer, his 2006 campaign was not honorable; and he has done nothing since then to justify his reelection. I don't know whether he has always been an asshole or if it just started in the last decade.

Occam's Tool| 11.15.10 @ 9:23PM

I admired Webb the marine and navy Secretary. I despise him as a Senator. Worthless scumbag.

poptoy| 11.15.10 @ 9:55PM

I honestly think Webb is a good thinker that over-reacted. He needs to get it together and return to the Republican Party and it's values or go down with this left wing Democrat party.

Bruce | 11.15.10 @ 10:41PM

Just what makes you think we want this popinjay in our party? No thanks - the Dems can keep him.

dennisl59| 11.15.10 @ 11:37PM

He wasn't born a Virginian, therefore he should have not been elected a Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Spicy Joker| 11.16.10 @ 12:26AM

Dim Webb must go. He's nothing but an Obama drone, just like Dork Warner and Benedict Nelson.

Jefyuaz| 11.16.10 @ 2:40AM

George Allen would be a great candidate for a classic rematch. Go Virginia...toss this charlatan on the ash heap of history!

steve m. burton| 11.16.10 @ 3:21AM

Webb has dismayed me on several issues. One was the crap about too many people being in jail. While that might be true at some level, letting politicians make the decisions about law and order is a bad idea.

His vote on the healthcare bill was indeed dismaying and would make me think very long and hard before I voted for him again. One thing that nobody seems to have considered is the political dynamic that appeared to have taken hold before the 2009/2010 cycles.

Virginia was heading into being a more liberal state. If blacks and students vote in 2012 in the numbers they did in 2008 and in the same insane proportions for BHO, then the Republican nominee will struggle to win Virginia. Whites would need to vote very heavily for the GOP, 70% or so, to offset the minority and youth votes. There is some evidence that the youth vote has abandoned Obama and that should make it easier for Republicans to put VA back in the GOP column.

I mention all this because Webb knows he has to run statewide in 2012. He has to bring out the minority vote and the youth vote and make sure liberal whites in Northern Virginia get out and vote. Many senators are facing changing demographics and becoming aware of new realities on the ground.

Take a state like Mississippi. It has one of the highest black populations in the country, but it is a Republican stalwart. The only Dems elected there sit in minority-majority districts and yellow dog areas of the state. The big races-Governor and Senate-are basically gimmes for the GOP. One reason and one reason only. About 30% of the black vote goes Republican in most races due to heavy evangelical identification among those voters. Obama was an exception. He came closer in Mississippi than a Democrat nominee for prez usually does. Because he got about 96% of the black vote. Tellingly, he still lost the state. Roughly 37% of the electorate is black. If you figure 96% of that, you get about 35.5% of the vote. Obama didn't get 14.5% of the remaining voters in his banner year. Considering he lost by about 8 points then, he probably got less than 10% of the non-black vote. Which of these vote totals evince racism? Don't they both? This is one state where weakening the bond between the evangelical vote and the GOP would make Mississippi a more Democratic state.

Texas is a state with a solid block of conservative Hispanic voters. Otherwise, Republicans would struggle in the Lone Star State. Whites are just a plurality of the population of Texas. Winning 60-70% of that vote only gets you into the mid-to-upper 20's percentage wise. That means you have to win a good number of the Hispanic vote in order to win comfortably. California has the other dynamic. It has a large bloc of liberal Hispanic voters and it shows. The GOP struggles at most every level there. Whitman and Fiorina both lost in good measure because they lost so convincingly among Latino voters. In presidential election years, the Golden State is an expensive lost cause for the Republican nominee. The last few GOP standard-bearers have been walloped there. Until there is some shift among the GOP candidates or the electorate there, it will remain out of reach for conservatives.

As a moderate Republican, I hope George Allen does not seek his old Senate seat in 2012. I know many more vociferous conservatives would welcome it, but I think it would be foolhardy.

First, there is the macaca thing. In a year when a black man will be running for a second term, the specter of racism will be raised by the liberal media. Allen will be an easy and convenient target. Second, Allen had a gift in 2006 that many don't take into account. Virginia had gay marriage on the ballot that year. Had that not been among the constitutional questions that cycle, GOP turnout would have been noticably lower and Allen would have lost by a more convincing margin. Third, the Axelrod folks know how to play by Chicago rules in politics. Allen's lack of military service will be pilloried and Webb's service in Vietnam lionized in ads and mailers. This ain't Max Cleland and John Kerry. These Democrats play rough. The Clintons and this team of operatives are political street fighters of the first order. They will go as low as needed and as in your face as required. I can see them licking their chops at the prospect of George Allen running in 2012. By the time they are finished with him, people will believe he wants to reinstitute slavery.

I voted for Webb in 2006 because I felt Allen had lost the ability to lead. People simply questioned his character so deeply, that I believed he would be ineffective and a poor representative of our state. Sad, because I thought he was a very able governor and had a possible future as president. That ship has since sailed. Webb seemed like a common sense conservative Democrat and I didn't have a great deal of difficulty in voting for him. Unfortunately, he hasn't been the man of convictions and principles I had hoped. While I understand his calculations for political reasons, I can't look kindly on his way too common support of the Obama agenda. Maybe he will grow a spine in the next two years and stand up to the liberal nightmare that is the current Democratic Party hierarchy.

I was raised a Democrat, but often felt at odds with them. When I see Pelosi, Reid, Obama and the crowd, I see Carter and Mondale and McGovern and all the other clueless liberals who wrecked the Democrat Party in the 70s and 80s. How is it that they didn't learn from that disastrous time? Socialism is dead. Marxism is institutionalized class envy. Affirmative action is basically reverse racism. Abortion is an ugly and regrettable thing. The family is sacrosanct. Marriage is for the bonding of one man to one woman and for the conception and rearing of children. Sexual freedom is just another way of saying no moral standards. Faith in God is a beautiful and nourishing thing, not something to swept out of the public arena. These basic values helped make America great. The Democrats abandoned them sometime ago. If the GOP ever really captured the working class vote, they would be unstoppable, because their values are those of the majority of people. The Democrats balkanize and diminish our civil society at every turn.

Pedro| 11.16.10 @ 6:56AM

Why must so much of the political dialogue be skewed to the blacks?

Yes, we all know that a great percentage of them are tied to the Democrat Plantation with the chains of government dependency but enough is enough.

Jason| 11.16.10 @ 6:05AM

I read First to Fight when I was about 14 and it was the first step in journey towards becoming a Marine. Senator Webb's votes for Obamacare forced me to take his book out into my front yard and burn it..

Timothy L. Pennell| 11.16.10 @ 6:56AM

Yes. Jim Webb is a good writer. Whether it's an Op Ed in the paper, a Filipina Stripper and a Coke Bottle, or a Vietnamese Father with his young son's penis in his mouth. That guy can write.
(Is it me? Or is this one SICK Son of a B*tch?)

JimP| 11.16.10 @ 8:13PM

LOL. Well said, Tim! And I agree.

Willie O LtColUSMCRet| 11.16.10 @ 11:23AM

Mike W, are you another Georgie S paid functionary? Webb a better man than George Bush? Nah. A poser maybe. As you be.

Nag_Nag_Nag| 11.16.10 @ 4:28PM

I look forward to seeing this POS's backside.

Phil Kearny| 11.17.10 @ 11:04PM

This article gets it exactly right. Webb is NOT a conservative but simply an opportunist who stands mostly for Jim Webb. Ridding Virginia of this phony should be a top goal for 2012. And if you're reading this, Sen. Webb - I warned you! You ignored Virginians' voices and voted for Obamacare. Now we're coming after you to get OUR seat back. Out on your combat boots, Jim - you'll need 'em when Virginia takes its seat back!

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