Jim Webb Endorsed by 4 Marines; Calls for 5% Tax Break to all Honorably Discharged Vets
By: Lowell
Published On: 5/3/2006 2:53:22 PM
This morning, I attended a press conference at the DSCC on Capitol Hill, in which Jim Webb was endorsed in person by former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Central Command, Anthony Zinni. In addition, Webb was endorsed by Congressman Jack Murtha, Lt. Gen. Frank Petersen (USMC), and Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold (USMC), none of whom could make it in person.
In his endorsement, Zinni stressed that it was based on the fact that he's "known Jim Webb for twenty years." In addition, Zinni said he admired the fact that Webb had spoken out against the invasion of Iraq "in advance of the war." Zinni praised Webb as "legendary for his leadership and courage," for his "character," and for his "integrity and intelligence." Zinni asserted that the world today is "as confused and unstable as it ever has been," and that "we need people in the Senate who will put the interest of our nation above politics." Finally, in proudly endorsing Jim Webb, Zinni emphasized the importance of electing "an outspoken advocate of giving the military the tools to do the job and uphold the peace" to the U.S. Senate.
[UPDATE: Army Times gives the Webb event favorable coverage, especially the 5% tax break for veterans. According to the Army Times, "Webb+óGéĽGäós tax proposal may have appeal in Virginia, which is among the states with the highest concentration of veterans."]
On Iraq, Webb stated that we could be "out of [there] in two years." To do that, in Webb's view, we need to say clearly that we have no long-term interest in staying there. In addition, we need to work with other countries in the region. In contrast, all the Administration keeps saying is the "mantra" of "we will stay in Iraq as long as necessary, but not a day longer." What does that mean? Who knows.
Asked about calls for the resignation of Don Rumsfeld, Webb said that he "can understand the frustration," but also that "accountability is broader than Rumsfeld." Essentially, "this entire Administration did a deplorable job in planning and executing the war in Iraq." Webb also seemed skeptical that any replacement by Bush for Rumsfeld would make much difference, as long as the same policies were continued. All in all, Iraq represents a "broad failure of the Administration," in Webb's view.
In a new policy proposal, Webb called for a 5% tax break to all veterans who have served honorably. According to Webb, that would apply to 14.7 million vets.
Asked about Iran (by yours truly), Webb said that the diplomatic route had NOT been exhausted, and that we need intensive "multilateral talks." Webb then used the opportunity to criticize the Bush doctrine of "preventive war," saying that "the President does not have the prerogative to conduct a preventive war", certainly not without the consent of Congress. In addition, Webb stressed that the military is there, first and foremost, to "deter a potential adversary," not to launch preventive wars. Like Gen. Zinni, Webb appears to be a strong believer in using all tools of national power - diplomatic, economic, etc. - before military power is considered.
Finally, asked about his son, Webb said that he would be deploying in late summer, although he doesn't have an exact date right now. Although obviously concerned, as any father would be, Webb stressed, "I am very proud of his service."
Comments
Hmmm... (Mimi Schaeffer - 5/3/2006 3:19:19 PM)
I'm all for tax breaks to the working people; and yes, that includes the Webb proposal as well as the Sen. Robert Martinez proposal of last week.
Sorry.... (Mimi Schaeffer - 5/3/2006 3:26:51 PM)
I meant Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, who is not related except by birth nation to Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.
You Mean, Tax Breaks for SOME Working People (K - 5/3/2006 3:38:21 PM)
Giving tax breaks to veterans excludes all those Americans for whom military service is not an option, such as the handicapped, gays and lesbians, and the offspring of W and most prominent Republicans.
Is that really something America wants to do?
I have no problem with W and his spawn (Lowell - 5/3/2006 3:48:58 PM)
not getting a tax break. :) As far as gays and lesbians are concerned, obviously they'd be eligible if honorably discharged. Same thing with handicapped. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here.
Tax breaks (Virginia Centrist - 5/3/2006 8:11:15 PM)
K -
It's great how you've taken this one issue where Jim Webb is wrong (DADT) and gone with it. I like what you're doing here. Just so you know - you should also harp on his feelings on affirmative action. That's another issue where he's wrong.
Meanwhile, Harris Miller is pretty much worthless on about 15 issues. He only supports gay marriage because he realized he could only compete in the primary by running as a huge liberal. His original position was, "I'm an old testament guy. "
Huh? (K - 5/3/2006 3:20:16 PM)
If a Republican called for a 5% tax break for any group, I'd say he/she/it was engaging in pandering of the worst sort.
The difference between Democratic tax proposals and Republican tax proposals (Mimi Schaeffer - 5/3/2006 3:30:15 PM)
The Democrats want to give $$$ to the poor working stiff; the Republicans want to give $$$ to corporate elites and their rich buddies.
Webb has also called for a windfall profits tax (Lowell - 5/3/2006 3:37:40 PM)
He said today that "oil companies are making profits due to instability in the Middle East region." Seems to me that a windfall profits tax could easily pay for a 5% tax break for honorably discharged vets.
Congratulations... (rjl - 5/3/2006 3:42:52 PM)
on endorsements, but the 5% tax break for Vets (including me) is very bad fiscal policy in an era of $400bn deficits. Also, most vets dislike being singled-out for special treatment beyond service-related injuries and a couple of holidays.
Wow. (Kathy Gerber - 5/3/2006 4:32:47 PM)
Do we even
have a fiscal policy these days?
If you can find it ... (rjl - 5/3/2006 8:34:43 PM)
... let me and the rest of know. It's just "tax break and spend" as far as the eye can see.
Your right about one thing (DanG - 5/3/2006 4:59:09 PM)
The tax break wouldn't be a good idea with all the defecits. So how do we counter? We raise taxes on the wealthy and create a windfall tax for corporations. That's just my opinion, anyway. IF we do that, we could easily afford these.
I'll go with Webb's tax plan so far over Harris Miller's. Even as his son pointed out on a post, Miller supports the Bush Tax breaks during the right period of fiscal stability. I'm sorry, but aren't those tax breaks inherently biased towards the wealthy? If you're making more than $400,000 a year, do you really need a tax break? I don't care what you say about the "fiscal environment", the Bush Tax cuts are a horrible idea in any situation.
Men and Women put their lives on the line for this country. This seems like a pretty fair reward to me.
Zero Sum does not help... (rjl - 5/3/2006 8:53:12 PM)
...the outrageous financial situation that Repubs have created over the last 6 years. I am as equally opposed to the idea of continuing Bush tax breaks for the wealthy as I am new tax breaks for veterans. Roll back the Bush cuts and don't add new ones. Americans would prefer to sacrifice to get our house in order rather than get a freebie from Uncle Sam.
Let's start by rolling back ALL the idiotic Bush tax cuts... (Lowell - 5/3/2006 8:59:16 PM)
then figure out what to do with money. I propose the following grand compromise:
1/3 to pay off debt
1/3 to cut taxes for people who really NEED the money, such as Jim Webb proposes
1/3 on additional spending, particularly to achieve energy independence and to provide national health care.
Sound like a deal? I'll take it.
I like your approach.. (rjl - 5/3/2006 9:19:24 PM)
but the numbers won't reconcile to accomplish all. Also, to be fair to this approach would involve means testing for veterans, a cumbersome process that degrades the program (for example, I don't need, and would feel guilty, taking a veterans tax credit). There are more beneficial ways for targeted tax policy.
But I like the approach of the rest of it; and we'd have to fight-off the earmark brigade for it to have a net benefit. Ready when you are.
I did a rough calculation and came up with $5.5 billion (Lowell - 5/3/2006 8:49:18 PM)
That assumes 14.7 million veterans making $30,000 per year each at a 25% tax bracket and a 5% reduction in taxes. In contrast, the war in Iraq is estimate to cost $320 billion. In other words, if my calculations are correct, Jim Webb is talking about giving our veterans back less than 2% of the cost of the Iraq War. That's not even a blip in terms of "fiscal policy," but it would mean a lot to many of these veterans. I, for one, would be more than happy to do it, as long as the revenue is offset by increased taxes on, oh, let's just say Big Oil.
OK, I'll meet you half way ... (rjl - 5/3/2006 9:10:51 PM)
I'll swap you the 5% credit for veterans for something more direct to your point: tax-free income for active duty personnel in theatre during war. Less than half the cost and benefits those most effected and most in need.
And you can throw in the excess profits tax (although this didn't really work so well in the '70s; but revenue is revenue at this stage)on big oil and repeal the Bush cuts.
My grandchildren thank you.
More perspective... (Lowell - 5/3/2006 9:30:15 PM)
Big Oil made about $100 billion in net income in 2005. A 5% tax on those profits would pay for Jim Webb's veteran's tax cut of 5%. Kind of a neat symmetry there, wouldn't you say?
Vets (Alicia - 5/3/2006 8:59:17 PM)
are getting hammered by increases in their costs for health insurance as well as a number of other big things. They will relish hearing this, as well as relish someone recognizing their sacrifices to this country, for not a very big paycheck.
Exactly right. Now, for a bit more perspective... (Lowell - 5/3/2006 9:03:17 PM)
we spend about $78 billion for weapons procurement each year. Webb's proposal might cost $5 billion or so - less than 10% of the weapons procurement budget - to help out vets in need. More weapons systems we probably don't need, or more help to veterans? I choose the veterans every time.
You're retarded (Virginia Centrist - 5/3/2006 8:12:57 PM)
Do you know how cheap a 5% tax break for veterans is???
Way to recite Miller talkings points though. It's too bad the primary is already over, and Miller will be back to his old "not doing anything for democrats" ways pretty soon.
Estimate? About $3 Billion (rjl - 5/3/2006 8:45:22 PM)
VC-- There are about 15 million veterans that would qualify and, assuming this would be a tax credit applied against net income for a family with average household income and at the lower tax rate, you can do the math.
And think about what you imply: "agree with me and you're a great American; disagree and you're retarded." Sound like any administration you know?
Murtha's Endorsement, Webb's Prescience (Josh - 5/3/2006 3:20:48 PM)
This came in from the Webb campaign, and I thought it worthy of posting here.
Jack Murtha is THE Democrat to call this Bush administration on the carpet for the disastrous and criminal blunders made throughout the Iraq debacle. In Murtha's endorsement, he points out that Jim Webb was prescient in his prediction of what would happen to the US in Iraq.
Webb knew, nobody listened. If Webb were Virginia's Senator, who knows what would have happened. Murtha thinks we'd all have been better off. I agree:
Congressman Murtha Endorses Jim Webb for United States Senate
Murtha: “Jim Webb Has Never Backed Away From a Fight”
Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a trusted adviser to Presidents of both parties on military and defense issues and one of the most effective advocates for the national defense in the country, today announced his support of Jim Webb for the United States Senate in Virginia.
“In addition to his career as a writer and businessman, Jim Webb has dedicated most of his adult life to issues surrounding our national security,” said Murtha. “Jim Webb has never backed away from a fight, whether it has been in combat, or in the all-important political arena in which our nation’s future is being resolved. In addition, as a Vietnam veteran I have always been grateful to Jim for the thousands of hours he has spent, pro bono, helping those who served in Vietnam. He is just the kind of leader the Senate needs.”
Murtha has been the representative from Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district since 1974. He spent 37 years in the Marine Corps, combining active and reserve service before retiring in 1990 as a Colonel. Murtha joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War and then volunteered to be activated for service in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V", two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
“I have known and respected Jack Murtha for nearly thirty years,” said Webb. “He is a true patriot, whose service and judgment was wrongly criticized by this Administration as soon as he began speaking the truth about Iraq. It will be a pleasure to join Congressman Murtha on Capitol Hill so that we can begin to re-shape America’s national security agenda.”
Murtha, who has been very critical of the war in Iraq -- calling it “bad policy wrapped in an illusion” – praised Webb for his prescience about the war. “Jim called it before most of us,” said Murtha. “He wrote the first article in a major newspaper, five months before the war predicting exactly what was going to happen if we invaded Iraq. Imagine what the debate would have looked like in the Senate if Jim Webb had been there instead of George Allen. Jim Webb, through his charisma and leadership, can bring a wide array of voters back to the Democratic party.”
Jim Webb was awarded the nation’s second and third-highest decorations for valor as a Marine in Vietnam – the Navy Cross and Silver Star – among other awards. He has served as a full committee counsel in the Congress, as an Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy, and is an Emmy-award winning journalist and best selling author of eight books.
Since beginning his campaign for Senate a month ago, Webb has secured a number of high-profile endorsements, including:
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, 2004 Democratic Presidential contender
Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, Member of 9/11 Commission
Retired four-star Gen. Joseph Hoar, former Commander of CENTCOM
Former 11th District Congresswoman Leslie Byrne, 2005 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee
Retired 2nd District Congressman Owen Pickett
Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
Virginia Senator Phil Puckett
Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
Former Virginia Senator Emilie Miller
Arlington County Board Members Jay Fisette
Arlington School Board Member Ed Fendley, Mary Hynes and Libby Garvey
Arlington County Treasurer Frank O’Leary
Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy.
Oops, Robert Menendez... (Mimi Schaeffer - 5/3/2006 3:24:00 PM)
Always in a rush to post.
Gotta keep my Cuban-American senators straight!
Great post (Alicia - 5/3/2006 3:38:51 PM)
and love the pictures. Webb looks 30!!
Could be the lighting... (Lowell - 5/3/2006 3:47:21 PM)
or my camera, or my (lack of) photographic skills. Or, maybe Webb really DOES like he's 30 years old! :)
COMMENT HIDDEN (dwmom2kids - 5/3/2006 3:57:37 PM)
Webb is a "jingoist" for opposing the Iraq War, eh? (Lowell - 5/3/2006 3:59:59 PM)
Fascinating...
Gail Parker can't win. (DanG - 5/3/2006 4:14:55 PM)
Gail Parker is nothing more than a spoiler in this race. They only thing she does is threaten us with:
A) Six more years of Allen.
B) President George Allen.
HAHAHAHA (Virginia Centrist - 5/3/2006 8:13:42 PM)
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Good one. Are you joking?
Jingoism (Teddy - 5/3/2006 4:59:40 PM)
Jingoism: "extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked esp. by a belligerent foreign policy." That doesn't sound like Webb to me. Like many combat veterans he's not particularly belligerent. That he leaves to the draft dodgers (we have some prominent ones). I am empathetic to the problems of a divorced mother of two, and Harris Miller's world-class outsourcing obviously hasn't helped her. Webb's doctrine of Fairness and "anti-outsourcing" probably will help her, however. Is it too much to ask her to re-think her vote, and consider what it would profit her to help Allen return to the Senate if she does not vote for Webb?
Significant Endorsements by Generals Zinni and Petersen (alex schultes - 5/3/2006 6:11:17 PM)
I have known General Zinni for 45 years and General Petersen for over 35 years. Both are extremely respected within the Brotherhood of Marines. Their endorsement of Jim Webb is a very significant step for both of them; for I am quite confident that neither has ever officially endorsed a candidate for office. Their respect for Jim Webb is obvious! And, most importantly, their belief in his abilities to make a difference in Washington and their confidence in his leadership, integrity and vision for our country should give us Webb supporters even more incentive to get the word out.
Zinni endorsed Bush in 2000 (Alex UA - 5/4/2006 4:25:14 PM)
...and called it the worst mistake of his life (or something like that). He also said that he would never enter into the political fray again. I'm extremely excited that he has changed his mind on that front. I hope that he takes a look at some of the other Fighting Dems, notes that they too, even though many are younger than Webb, share many of those same values that he praised in Webb. These candidates could definitely use supporting words from a great/respected mind like Zinni's.
-Alex
Draft Zinni! It's Security, Stupid!
Blue Force | National Security Progressives, Progressive National Security
A Meaningless Tax Break for Many (Rick O'Dell - 5/3/2006 10:08:16 PM)
Jim Webb’s call for a five percent reduction in taxes for honorably discharged veterans, while unquestionably well-intentioned, is of little value to the neediest veterans. Those who are disabled in military service receive federal compensation that is non-taxable. Therefore, the proposed reduction has a zero effect for them.
A veteran who is found to have been permanently and totally disabled because of injuries in service receives approximately $30,000 a year. Even tax-free, most would argue that for having literally risked life and limb this is a most modest amount on which to live.
Perhaps in this time of war, Jim Webb would do more good if he sought a meaningful increase in the rate of compensation paid to disabled veterans. Doing so, would be easier to administer, more beneficial to those who really need help, and more fiscally responsible. A blanket tax break for all veterans, many who don’t need it, is just too Republican.
Can you spell "pandering", boys and girls? (cvllelaw - 5/3/2006 11:08:13 PM)
Give me a break.
We need a simpler tax code, not a more complex one. I can think of a bunch of other people I'd like to do nice things for, but the tax code is not the place to do it.
What's next? A 5% tax cut for teachers? For nurses? For firefighters and police officers? Why not? Doesn't Webb support our first responders? He values soldiers more than those who educate our finest young people? How about a 5% tax break for widows of soldiers killed in combat? Or those killed while on active duty? Would the 5% apply to all income? Would it apply to investment income? If John Kerry has millions of dollars in investment income (and I suspect that he does), does he need a 5% tax break?
This is about the worst possible precedent for the tax code, and I hope that Webb drops this before someone actually tries to hold him to it.
I have been hoping that Jim Webb might be the kind of candidate who isn't going to play those sorts of stupid little games.
And the reality is that he doesn't need that to get the support of veterans in Virginia.
C'mon, Jim. Think a little harder.