Posted on 09/01/2006 4:32:08 PM PDT by areafiftyone
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Senate candidate Jim Webb will miss the Labor Day weekend parades, picnics and speeches that open the fall campaign stretch run to be with his son, who ships out with his Marine unit to Iraq next week.
Webb decided Thursday to skip the traditional holiday gatherings in Buena Vista, Covington and elsewhere that are normally must-attend events for those seeking statewide office.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jimmy Webb, 24, is deploying with his unit to combat duty, and the Democratic challenger to Sen. George Allen chose to visit his son until he leaves.
"I'm very proud of my son. Neither he nor I want him to be viewed differently than any of his fellow Marines. He's a tough young man and a fine Marine," Webb said in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press.
Because Webb knows combat firsthand as a Marine who fought in some of the bloodiest engagements of the Vietnam War, the experience is particularly painful. When asked about it in an AP interview, tears glazed his eyes and he was momentarily unable to speak.
Webb, 60, said he saw his father, a tough career military man, cry just once: the day he left for duty in Vietnam.
"I can look at it as a father and as a Marine, but, for better or for worse, I am just more visible than other fathers," Webb said.
"I'm going through the same mental and emotional process as thousands of other parents," he said.
Among those walking the parade route in Buena Vista this year will be his Republican opponent, Allen, and two fellow Democrats, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and former Gov. Mark R. Warner. Though the parades rarely yield real news, a top tier candidate's absence is conspicuous.
But in Webb's case, voters will understand, said Mark Rozell, a political science professor at George Mason University.
"If you weren't there because you just wanted to get a few more days' of vacation out of the summer, then that would be a problem. But I think with this, most voters will look into their hearts and understand," Rozell said.
Bidding farewell to a child bound for combat also immunizes Webb from criticism for his absence from his opponent, he said.
"It would look pretty crass for an opponent to try and make an issue of it," he said.
Sounds like Webb has his priorities in order.
"It would look pretty crass for an opponent to try and make an issue of it," he said.
He wishes it would look crass, but it doesn't.
If Webb was serious about running for Senator, he certainly could have invited his son to join him in the parade. A proud send-off beats a tearful departure.
Isn't 24 a bit older than the average lance cpl?
"Sounds like Webb has his priorities in order."
His son as well.
Isn't 24 a bit older than the average lance cpl?
Maybe he enlisted later. Anyhow, good for him!
"That's why I incessantly mock the Iraq mission, trivializing the sacrifices and accomplishments of every military person and civilian that has served there."
"Oh, and George Felix Allen is a big, name-calling poopyhead!"
When doing final preparations for a combat deployment, marching in a parade - even for my father - would have been pretty low on my list of priorities.
"he certainly could have invited his son to join him in the parade. A proud send-off beats a tearful departure."
Forgot about this one. Gotta check the regs on this. I suspect that if his son is in uniform (as in wearing the uniform at that time), he can not participate in political campaigns. Also where is he, LeJuene? A few hours away, and it also depends on the travel limits on leave at that particular time.
Have you sent a son or daughter off to war? Believe me- the last thing that young Marine needs to be focused on right now is his father's political career.
As to his age? WTH difference doesn it make how old he is- thank God we have young people willing to serve.
I do think this is a good thing Webb is doing. But he has been running around meeting with donors and accepting awards in Colorado.
So this particular event, it almost feels like he's trying to get political cover for his anti-war stance by using his Son's redeployment as a political tool, in a very conspicuous way.
But you can't fault him for not being at the parades, because being with his kid is a good thing. You could instead fault him for not being with his kid when he was raising money.
Oh, and Allen did NOT say anything about it, nor did his campaign, but notice how the Webb campaign managed to call them crass anyway.
And if ANY republican anywhere says anything, everybody will remember this "Allen campaign crass" comment.
I doubt Allen would say anything anyway. He's not like that. Webb's people are putting the idea out there for the media to mull over.
Webb is an ass.
He is a terrorist's dream come true.
Webb did some good things, years ago, such as publicly blasting the Tailhook witch hunt (conducted by real witches). But he's busily been making up for that ever since, to suck up to his new bosses in the Democratic money machine. I used to admire him, but regretfully observe that he's become an angry, cynical dork.
(webb is an ass)
Someone had to say it.
Thank you.
(tim kaine and mark warner)
Two turds swimming around in an unflushed commode.
I have no respect for Webb.
He is pissing on the grave of his political mentor, Ronald Reagan.
If Webb had a problem with the GOP, he should have worked it out within the party. Reagan's 11th Commandment would prescribe nothing less.
Instead, Webb became a crass opportunist and let himself be used by people having the most fraudulent and malevolent motives.
Webb's handlers are trying to damage the GOP by beguiling conservative male voters into believing the demo party is in fact patriotic and pro-military, which we all know it is not.
If Webb wins, how is he going to feel caucusing with the likes of Bernie Sanders and Red Ned Lamont?
Shame.
Oddly, the people supporting Webb are ignoring his Tailhook comments. Some are actually attacking Allen because one of his supporters said the same things about Tailhook as Webb did.
First, my Comcast is out at home, so I'm Freeping from Panera.
That said, I have these observations about Webb and the Buena Vista parade.
First, it is admirable that he is spending time with his son. I've said so on my blog and elsewhere.
However, from what I understand he did campaign on Saturday at lesser events. I believe somewhere along the line I read that he was not campaigning all weekend.
That said, I do question the political wisdom of missing this event. Around Buena Vista the saying is that "if you aren't here on Labor Day, you won't win in November."
IOW, in terms of Virginia politics, missing this parade is just not ~done~.
Allen doesn't have to criticize Webb for not being there. He doesn't have to. The RTD is already referring to Webb as "invisible." And the RAT blogs are starting to lament the running of the campaign.
We've seen a couple of rocky weeks for Allen. After all there's been an all out assault on him fromm the left, and oddly enough from some Freepers on the "right." But I think with the ads now playing and people starting to focus the momentum will swing back in his direction.
I'm thinking he wins by 5-7 points.
FWIW
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