Republican Marine Major General for Jim Webb

By: Lowell
Published On: 10/20/2006 9:39:15 AM

The following is from Joe Anderson, a retired Marine Corps Major General who was a classmate of Jim Webb's at the Naval Academy.  Anderson is also known to be a strong and opinionated Republican.  A good friend of Anderson's asked him for his thoughts on Webb. The friend had no idea how Anderson would respond.  This is what he received, and forwarded for publication (bolding added for emphasis):

Thanks for asking my opinion. Jim Webb and I are classmates from the U S Naval Academy (68). For many years, I have not been a fan of Jim Webb. He was young, arrogant and petulant in his decisions (especially to resign as Secretary of the Navy when we needed him). Then the darndest thing happened-we all matured.

I watched Meet the Press, was impressed (again) with Tim Russert and extremely impressed with Jim Webb. Sen Allen pegged out my wimp-meter. Never have I seen more political deliberate lack of precision and candor.

As a former classmate of Jim and a retired Marine Major General, I most appreciated Jim's head-on dealing with Iraq- Bad idea to invade- politicized intelligence (do you think Gen Powell is happy with being manipulated?)- no exit strategy- no coherent relationship to Al Quida anti-terrorism (If we just can't tolerate despotic leaders, why did we tolerate Idi Amin?). Did we really invade Iraq because "They tried to kill my Dad"? That is no reason to bring our Nation to war.

What I liked most about Jim's position in Iraq was not "cut and run". It was a very realistic assessment of involving Iraq's neighbors with the solution- if it takes 100 years to solve, it will still be Iraq and its neighbors (however unfriendly-but still influential) that will resolve or simply mitigate this conflict.

This is painful- I am a lifelong Republican and I will vote for the first time for a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, the Honorable Jim Webb. I will do it for the same reason Jim Webb is running for Senate- We deserve better.

By the way, I have not stopped believing Republican, but on an individual basis, I will vote the best for my Country.

You are welcome to quote me.

Semper Fidelis,
Joe Anderson

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

Comments



Exactly (Teddy - 10/20/2006 11:09:01 AM)
Najor General Anderson is absolutely right on. "I will vote the best for my country." The agony of decision, the shock of recognzing finally that a deep, to-the-bone adherence to a particular political party no longer serves the best interest of one's country... What a difference thirty years can make in what political parties and their leaders stand for. 

General Anderson says he has not stopped believing Republican, and I can only suppose that he means believing what the Republican Party used to be, but clearly is no longer, nor has it been for several years. Once he comes to grips with that unhappy truth he may conclude, as did I, that the only way to stop the insanity which is now the core mindset of today's Republicanism, is to join and work with the only organized group that has any hope of replacing Republicans and restoring the sensible American  political middle, and at every level of government. What a shame to bid goodbye to what once was a great political party, but desperate times call for desperate measures, General.



Hear, hear! (Doug in Mount Vernon - 10/20/2006 12:36:16 PM)
For thinking people of all political stripes!

This has made my day!



Great letter (Catzmaw - 10/20/2006 2:29:55 PM)
What a blunt, honest assessment from the Major General.  Has anyone counted the retired high ranking officers endorsing Webb?  They're everywhere.  Are there any endorsing Allen?