As he prepares to enter the Senate, Democrat Jim Webb is known for being a strong voice on national issues such as homeland security and the war in Iraq. However, Webb has hinted, and experts believe, that he will be a forceful advocate for Virginians, especially military families and the middle and lower classes.
Throughout his campaign, Webb struck a populist tone, and at his victory speech in Arlington last week promised to fight for American workers and for a more equitable distribution of wealth between the upper and working classes. He often said the United States was divided by class and that the disparity would continue to grow if national economic policies did not change.
These themes were echoed in an editorial penned by Webb this week, in which he pledges to fight against what he considers unfair globalization policies that have marginalized U.S. workers.
Webb’s office did not return calls for comment.
This week, he was named to the Armed Services, Foreign Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee, primarily because of his military background. Experts believe Webb’s committee work will not focus just on national security issues, but on securing money for Virginia military bases and veterans living in the state.
“I think he along with [senior Republican Sen.] John Warner will work for benefits to come to Virginia military families,” George Mason political scientist Toni Travis said.
“He’s an economic populist,” added Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. “Democrats are going to try to reorient the Bush economic program to do more for the middle class and the lower-middle class and less for the rich.
“Virginia is not composed overwhelmingly with the rich,” Sabato said. “The middle and lower class put Webb into office along with those with graduate degrees. He’s strong on national security, and pushes an economic populism [popular with] a large majority of the state’s residents.”
