Virginia Sen. Jim Webb said his selection to give the Democratic response to President Bush’s State of the Union address tonight is a testament to the growing power of the Democratic Party in Virginia.
For the second year, a Democrat from Virginia is giving the response, considered one of the most high-profile speeches in American politics. Last year, Gov. Tim Kaine delivered the response.
“I don’t believe … this is an accident,” Webb told reporters in a conference call Monday. “In Virginia, we have a strong group of leaders who know how to reach across party lines and get things done. We’re trying to show we can put problem-solving over partisan politics.” His selection “is a comment of the quality of people and the affirmative style of the Democratic party in Virginia,” he added.
Webb, a political upstart and decorated combat veteran, revealed little about what he would say in the speech, telling reporters he was still working on its text. He said the speech would address issues he spoke about during his campaign, such as changing Iraq policy and other national security issues.
“I do not intend to give a particularly partisan speech,” he said.
Webb said that because the Iraq issue has dominated the early part of his time in the Senate, he has not had a chance to sell Virginians on proposals he has backed, including a bill to raise the minimum wage and legislation increasing soldiers’ benefits.
“This has been a very fast start,” he said. “I’m looking forward to bringing a number of these issues home to the people of Virginia.”
Some of the president’s speech is expected to be on Iraq and his plan to increase the number of troops there. Democrats, including Webb, have opposed this plan.
George Mason University political scientist Toni Travis said the choice of Webb, a former Republican opposed to current policy, is meant to highlight the opposition to the president’s strategy.
“This is really a pointed contrast” between Webb and Bush, she said.
Other highlights:
» Webb has yet to meet with Republican George Allen, whom he defeated in an upset. Webb said he had “a very gracious phone conversation” with Allen, and that their staffs have met.
» Webb also said he has not endorsed any of the 2008 Democratic presidential candidates.
