It’s not too difficult for Jim Webb’s 25,000 Senate volunteers to get ahead of themselves.
At the front of his headquarters hangs a photo taken in 1969 of a skinny, smiling Jim Webb somewhere in the jungles of Vietnam: “Coming Soon! George Allen’s Worst Nightmare!”
The theory goes that Webb’s semi-celebrity status as best-selling author, down-home Virginian and bonafide war hero, coupled with his stance against President Bush, the Iraq war and a “rubber-stamp Congress,” will defeat Allen come November, not only derailing the U.S. senator’s presidential aspirations but also propelling Webb onto the national political stage.
But first Webb has to win Tuesday against Virginia party insider and former technology industry lobbyist Harris Miller.
The strategy, Webb told The Examiner, is to reach beyond the base to rural voters, the military community and independents. The election Tuesday is open to all voters, not just registered Democrats.
“We’re running on the notion of bringing people back to the Democratic party,” said Webb, a former U.S. Navy secretary under President Reagan. “We’ve had a real groundswell of support from people who want to see the country in a different direction.”
Mark Rozell of the George Mason School of Public Policy said it will be difficult to sway skeptical Virginia Democrats, especially in a primary that historically turns out the party’s core. Rozell expects that about 5 percent of eligible voters will cast ballots.
“But Webb’s presence certainly gives the party some star power,” Rozell said.
Webb said he’s running a set of issues that’ll work in the general election: refocusing America’s foreign policy and national defense; pushing basic fairness issues and social justice issues; restoring the constitutional role of the Congress and stopping the abuse of the power of the presidency.
But Webb, who joined the race late, admits he’s running on the cheap end. Nearly all the furniture in headquarters was bought worn and used off the Internet and the rundown brown-bricked building itself is slated for demolition.
What Webb lacks in money, his supporters hope to make up with his national profile and reputation as a fighter. National party bigwigs recently lined up to endorse Webb, including 2004 presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John Kerry.
“There’s a tremendous amount of energy now,” Webb said, “but whether they’re going to show up in the primary, we’ll have to wait and see. Anything can happen.”
Facts on Webb
» In Vietnam, James Webb commanded a Marine Rifle Company, more than 150 men, earning the Navy Cross, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
» Webb has written six best-selling novels, including “Fields of Fire,” a classic about the Vietnam War. His original story “Rules of Engagement,” was turned into a movie starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. Non-fiction works include “Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.”
» Webb served as U.S. secretary of the Navy under President Reagan for 11 months before quitting after refusing to agree to budget cuts.
