The Freshman: Senator James Webb From Virginia

New York Times Magazine ^ | 24 December 2006 | DEBORAH SOLOMON

[shrinkermd]

This is a long interview type article with a portion below:

You previously belonged to the Republican Party and held two big positions — assistant secretary of defense and, later, secretary of the Navy — under President Reagan.

I am very proud to have served in the Reagan administration. He had the ability to inspire people in this country in terms of how they viewed themselves as Americans.

Why did you decide to switch and become a Democrat?

A lot of people have left the Republican Party because they went over there like me on national-security issues and were never comfortable on other issues — social issues or issues of economic fairness — and now are beginning to see that the Democrats can have a stronger position on foreign policy.

Can the Republicans ever regain your trust on national-security issues?

I have no comment about that.

Why not?

You sound like you want me to be this combative person.

[shrinkermd]

Brings to mind some adjectives: touchy, paranoid, combative and narcissistic. Press wants to love him for writing books but it will be hard.

If someone can find the FR post on his WSJ editorial it will help immensely in understanding this outstanding over-inflated egoist.

Virginia, you screwed up.

[SoftballMominVA]

What an ass.

He fails to understand that he was elected as a representative of Virginia--not our leader. He is turning his back on the 49.9% that did not elect him. If this continues, it wouldn't take much for him to be a one term wonder.

[Princip. Conservative]

Ugh. I think this guy is going to be such an embarrassment to the Democratic Party. He's SUCH an arrogant guy. In the end, the Dems may wish that Allen won, because this guy is a loose cannon.

[MNJohnnie]

So how do you like the Senator you worked so hard to elect now MD?

[MNJohnnie]

Just another Neo Marxist Democrat butt clown. Amazing how blind some Freepers insisted on being to what a total fraud is Webb.

But that right, because the scum wore the uniform of the US Military at one time in his life, 40 years ago, he is suppose to be forever be above any criticism according to our local McCainiacs.

So how you liking the guy you worked so hard to elect now MD?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1749078/posts

What Did Senator-elect Jim Webb Mean?

[colonialhk]

Clearly an idiot!

[docbnj]

For an author, he doesn't seem to speak like an impressively literate person.

I suppose I could read some of his books to learn more about him, but I think that right now I would rather enjoy Christmas, shovel the snow, and get a root canal done on my bad tooth.

[hnj_00]

he states he was very happy to serve in the Reagan administration.....he never speaks about the part where he was asked to leave!!!

[WashingtonSource]

What a d*ck head. He talks about diplomacy? Give me a break. He doesn't have a diplomatic bone in his body.

[buck61]

I may have to move to another state. Tn. and Va. borders, this is just too close to this idiot. The people of Va. has elected this narcissus to represent them.

I hope it comes back to bite them in the ass!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clintonfatigued]

In spite of the stupid errors that George Allen made in his reelection this year, I'm still shocked and appalled that Virginia voters elected this pervert to represent them.

[reg45]

I don't think Webb won tha election as much as Allen lost it.

[Clintonfatigued]

True. George Allen was one of the strong conservatives who could bridge Baja D.C. with the rest of Virginia, but that went to Mecaccaville.

[rickdylan]

A lot of people have left the Republican Party because they went over there like me on national-security issues and were never comfortable on other issues — social issues or issues of economic fairness — and now are beginning to see that the Democrats can have a stronger position on foreign policy.....

I can't see that. I have about four or five significant issues with republicans while pretty much everything dems ever even think about doing is some sort of an issue. Basically, I can tolerate somebody being twenty degrees to the left or right of me politically eaily enough, it's the GANGSTERISM I can't tolerate with the dems. This guy Web is a super loser and this is the worst political decision I've ever seen a group of people make. The people of Virginia who voted to replace George Allen with this guy deserve to suffer for it somehow or other and I'm sure they will. If nothing else, just the embarassment which is going to be involved.

[veronica]

He comes across as a head case. I think he'll become an embarrassment to the Dems. Of course that assumes anything would embarrass them.

[Gabz]

The people of Virginia who voted to replace George Allen with this guy deserve to suffer for it somehow or other and I'm sure they will. If nothing else, just the embarassment which is going to be involved.

Unfortunately those of us who voted for George Allen must suffer as well.........

[moose2004]

Webb has a big reputation for being a know-it-all loud mouthed loose cannon. He will be the dem party's version of Chuck Hagel, Lindsay Graham and John McCain. Schumer will wish he never recruited him.

[moose2004]

Bingo!

[elhombrelibre]

His book Born Fighting: How Scots Irish Shaped America is very interesting when he sticks to history and only lightly touches on biography. Often though he goes off the deep end with immature stories and goof ball bravado of his and his family. And his prescription for what ails America turns out to be that the Scots Irish need to stop shaping America and start whining like so many other groups. That's not a good idea and doesn't augur well for this Senator's upcoming term.