Jim Webb's Remarks at Last Night's Warner Fundraiser

After thanking Gov. Warner for coming, Webb talked about how the event was a great chance "to celebrate where we are and where we hope to be in  6 months from now."

Webb introduced his friend Harry Huey (sp?), who fought with the South Vietnamese army and spent 10 years in "re-education" camps.  Webb pointed out that, whether or not you supported the Vietnam War, "the people who served in the South Vietnamese army never got the due they deserve."  [Note: over 1 million members of the South Vietnamese Army were killed during the Vietnam War, along with 58,238 American soldiers.]

Webb talked about leadership, and specifically how "we need leaders, desperately" in this country.  Specifically, Webb said that we need leaders who will "find solutions" and "try to find answers" rather than create more "divisions."

Today, Webb pointed out, "the pendulum has swung as far as it can" to one side of the political spectrum.  The Republican Party, "once known for fiscal responsibility," is no longer fiscally responsible.  Thanks to Bush Administration policies, America today is "disliked around the world."  And, Webb noted, the Republicans have "always been to the extreme when it comes to social issues."

In place of that brand of leadership, Webb argued that we must have leaders who place "loyalty to country before any party."  And, Webb said strongly, "we must correct where the country is heading."

As he often does, Webb talked about how America is "breaking into three pieces," with the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and the middle class getting squeezed badly.  Webb noted that after tax corporate profits are soaring, and that "as a percentage of our GDP, [they] are at an all-time historic high."  In contrast, "wages and salaries as a percentage of GDP are at an historic low."  Meanwhile, good middle class jobs "have gone overseas."  According to Webb, "we have to develop policies to protect our own workers!"

Webb talked about the power of Congress vis-a-vis the executive branch, and specifically  how it's important to stand up to an Administration "that's abusing its executive powers."

In other words, it's time for a change in this country.  And a big part of that change - a man by the name of James H. Webb, Jr. - was there last night, wearing his son's combat boots and ready to take on "Bored George" Allen this summer and fall. I can't wait.

By the way, I had a chance to speak with another big part of that positive change in our country, Virginia's great former governor Mark Warner, who is now busy racking up frequent flier miles to places like Iowa, New Hamsphire, South Carolina, Jordan and Israel. :)  Warner mentioned to me that he would be attending a "bloggers summit," and asked if I would be going.  I told him I didn't know if I could make it to Charlottesville this year or not, and Warner seemed puzzled.  It turns out that Gov. Warner will be attending the "Yearly Kos" convention, which is being held June 8-11 in Las Vegas, but had not (yet) heard of the Virginia bloggers' conference June 16 and 17.  So many conferences, so little time I guess, especially when you're in as much demand as Mark Warner is.  Must be nice to be so popular, huh? 

P.S.  Word of advice to Gov. Warner: do NOT take up blogging, that's the sure way to get people to stop liking you!

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