Jim Webb campaigned as a war hero and his own man, impervious to pressure from special interests and demands from the political machine. Although I honor his military service and bravery, much like John McCain, heroic service during war time does not necessarily translate to heroic service in politics.
In spite of the very clear message from his constituents that they wanted no part of TARP, Stimulii, Bailouts, SCHIP, the confirmation of Eric Holder, Cash for Clunkers, Spending Freeze, School vouchers and Obamacare, Webb always surrendered his professed convictions and voted with this guy every single time on the major issues.
- Birds of a Feather
But post-election Webb is seeing the handwriting on the wall and he’s doubling back, asserting that he quietly warned leadership that they were treading on thin ice with voters.
I recall going to the Code Red Rally against Obamacare at the Senate on Dec. 15th of last year to meet with Webb’s Chief of Staff. There were 20-30 of us in the hallway in front of his office waiting for our audience, when along ambles Jim Webb reading a document. When he got about 50 feet away he glanced up, saw us there and did a quick exit into the nearest door. The courageous Senator wanted no part of facing his constituents then and meekly joined his Party to vote in favor of Obamacare on Christmas Eve.
The time for hiding is over as the 2012 campaign started a week ago tomorrow. It will do you no good to tell the voters that you were warning your leadership. That was the time to show the courage of your convictions. Either you don’t have any or you simply failed.
Update from Pajamas Media:
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), a former Republican, rode a Democratic wave to a narrow victory in 2006, but PPP found Webb trailing former Senator George Allen (R-VA) in a rematch.
This sounds like a set up by the Democrat leaning PPP. They’d love nothing more than to dance the Macaca again. Sorry, but George Allen is my last choice to run against Webb.
fleeceme
November 9, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Good stuff.
This man nauseates me. It seems like his main goal in life is to elevate Vietnam to some un-named pedestal that exists only in his mind. His votes are simple, he just follows the parry line, because I honestly think he doesn’t care about that stuff.
Come on Virginians, lets get rid of this fool in 2012, and I agree, George Allen is a bad choice. Tea Party? Can we get someone from your ranks?
Martin M. McMartin
November 9, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I too was frustrated by Webb and his dependable votes with Obama. He, I suspect, will decline to run in 2012 opening the door for Tim Kaine to run and suffer a magnificent loss ending his political career in a flaming heep resembling the Hindenburg.
P. Henry Saddleburr
November 9, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Nice touch.
Saddlesore
November 9, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Does the above make Kaine a flaming liberal?
P. Henry Saddleburr
November 9, 2010 at 2:48 pm
More like a flaming bag of dog crap on the porch.
Planet Moron
November 9, 2010 at 4:36 pm
When constituents reared their ugly heads,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Webb turned about,
And gallantly he chickened out…
(Apologies to Monty Python. And everyone else.)