Anderson Cooper’s final question in the Democratic presidential debate on October 13 led to an interesting and revealing moment. He asked:
Lincoln Chafee chose the coal lobby. Martin O’Malley picked the National Rifle Association. Hillary Clinton covered lots of bases: “Well, in addition to the NRA, the health insurance companies, the drug companies, the Iranians . . . probably the Republicans.” Bernie Sanders put “Wall Street and the pharmaceutical industry at the top of my list of people who do not like me.”
Jim Webb went last: “I’d have to say the enemy soldier that threw the grenade that wounded me, but he’s not around right now to talk to.”
This prompted stunned silence and noticeable discomfort among the Democrats in the hall in Las Vegas. Liberal journalists took to Twitter to remark disapprovingly on Webb’s half-smile as he discussed killing or being killed.
The incident to which Webb referred happened July 10, 1969. He was a first lieutenant in Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, serving in Vietnam. Here is his Navy Cross citation:
Webb’s heroism 46 years ago doesn’t mean he should be president today. But it is something of which he is more than entitled to be proud. It is something all of us should respect. And it is a disgrace that to so many of our elites Webb should seem like a figure from another era, and for that matter an ancient and bygone and slightly disreputable one. After all, today’s America is producing heroes no less worthy.
Here, for example, is the citation for the Navy Cross awarded posthumously to Sergeant Matthew T. Abbate, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, for his actions in Afghanistan on October 14, 2010:
Exposed and personally suppressing the enemy, he directed the remaining squad members’ fires until they effectively suppressed the enemy and could render life-saving aid to the urgent casualties. After coordinating the medical evacuation, he then swept the landing zone for additional explosives before the patrol was again forced to take cover from enemy fire. Sergeant Abbate, knowing the casualties’ survival depended upon their rapid evacuation by helicopter, again rallied the patrol’s able men, and led a counter attack to clear enemy fighters from the landing zone and allow for the critically wounded men to be evacuated.
By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Abbate reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
The highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States haven’t changed in the last four decades.
Republicans have chortled at the discomfort of the Democratic audience at Webb’s evocation of his confrontation with the nation’s enemies. Conservatives have chastised liberals for their apparent disapproval of Webb’s answer. But the next debate is among Republicans. They seek the nomination of a party more committed to reducing the deficit than funding the military, in a conservative movement that often seems to value macho posturing more than manly duty. Republicans and conservatives might use this moment to look in the mirror as well as across the aisle. Leave aside hopes for remarkable composure in a crisis and extraordinary heroism under fire. How about straightforward good sense and run-of-the-mill political courage?
No serious person thinks any of the Democrats on that stage in Las Vegas, with the possible exception of Webb, is capable of dealing adequately with America’s enemies in the years ahead. The question is whether the Republicans who will soon be on stage in Boulder will show themselves to be more capable of doing so.
