39 Comments so far

1. JHI January 24th, 2007 3:59 pm

   I was completely unimpressed with both Clinton’s and Obama’s responses. I honestly couldn’t even understand what point Obama was trying to make about the war in Iraq - I felt he was safely trying to talk his way out of the question without offending anyone. Why are they so afraid to stand up to our President or to offend him or anyone else for that matter? On the other hand, I admired both the content and eloquence of Jim Webb’s words. And the backbone and moral strength behind them. It’s about time someone in office showed those qualities.

2. DCNative January 24th, 2007 4:04 pm

   I drove by a sign on the way to work this morning. Along a busy road in formerly super Red state of Virginia was a banner stating - “Well said Webb”. I agree!

3. Jake January 24th, 2007 4:08 pm

   Small general point - You are doing wonderful work and I thank you. But for the sake of women’s equality, title should use either ‘Hillary and Barack’ or ‘Clinton and Obama’.

4. Commonreader January 24th, 2007 4:48 pm

   Sen. Webb’s talk was brillant and a breath of fresh air in the vast wasteland of political speech on mainstream media. Notice how the NYT made NO mention of Webb’s economic comments in their article today on his speech. I agree with Jeff Cohen that this is the winning program for Democrats, but the power elite doesn’t like it.

5. jesmsw January 24th, 2007 4:50 pm

   I was very pleased with Jim Webbs comments. He actually said something. He also echoed what I hear in the office every day about the economy (middle and lower class losing ground each day), about how we are not supporting the troops if we leave incompetent people in charge and how corporate gluttony effects us all. Is this a minority view?

6. maryannsalo January 24th, 2007 4:57 pm

   Everything Senator Webb said resonated with me.
   His speech sounded like the perfect introduction to the book Why Mommy is a Democrat, which I have neither seen nor read.
   We need Mr. Webb to run for president or give a courage transfusion to someone who will.

7. R.A. Brown January 24th, 2007 5:49 pm

   Sen. Webb has gone beyond a “no-name” politician for me to the ranks of political patriot thanks to last night’s passionate speech. (NOT typical politico rhetoric!)

   As maryannsalo wrote just above me “…or a courage transfusion to someone who will run for president.” I think that man is Dennis Kucinich. I can’t think of anyone else currently announced who would lead this country with “Everyman/Woman’s” best interest at the forefront of his administration and with a heartfelt, honest compassion.
   Now…how do we get the media’s attention?!

8. pelikan January 24th, 2007 6:32 pm

   I was totally blown away after listening to Webb last night. I thought…can he run for President? I know that’s silly.

   As well I saw more clearly how Clinton, Obama, and Webb differed. It seems Clinton offers us strengths, and smarts but not so much the x-factor. Obama offers us x-factor and smarts, and not so much strength. Webb, however, can strike all three notes: strength, smarts (intelligence and eloquence on his part) and that x-factor that had me near throwing my panties at the screen.

9. Larry the Red January 24th, 2007 6:38 pm

   “Now…how do we get the media’s attention?!”

   As far as getting the MSM to treat Kucinich as anyone more serious than the clown at a kiddie birthday party, forget it. I, too, loved that Webb talked directly in terms of class and inequality. I hope he introduces legislation that substantively addresses his points.

10. pfutrell January 24th, 2007 6:49 pm

    My favorite line was Webb’s last sentence:

    “If [Bush] does [take similar action to Eisenhower when he pulled out of a futile Korean War], we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way.”

    We will be showing him the way. Yes. yes. yes.

    I sincerely hope that is the Democratic sentiment throughout!

11. jjpeter January 24th, 2007 6:52 pm

    Could not agree more with all of you. I had heard Webb speak post election, and wasn’t too impressed. Maybe he’s not as forthright off the cuff. But speaking from the heart, and reading HIS own words - it was powerful to hear him, riveting; I yelled RIGHT ON!

    I stuck with MSNBC throughout the night, as they have had the most courage of all the major media outlets - Go Keith - over the past few years to expose bushcon for what it is. To hear Mr. Webb ripping into Bush was music, poetry, and about damn time we heard it from someone with solid integrity.

    Thank you Virginia for voting him into office!

    Lets get to work.

12. kittyladyoregon January 24th, 2007 6:59 pm

    Jim Webb was very impressive last night. Both Clinton and Obama are duds as far as I am concerned. The only candidate that has a concrete plan to get us out of Iraq and a decent health care plan is Dennis Kucinich. It is a shame that the Main Stream corporate media has chosen (probably on orders) to ignore Rep. Kucinich.

    Webb is a hero in my eyes. He was not afraid to write his own speech and speak truth to power.
    How about a real ticket - Kucinich and Webb??

13. jjpeter January 24th, 2007 7:07 pm

    Has Kucinich announced he’ll run? He didn’t show well in 04. I’d like to see W. Clark and Webb.

14. Johnny Strawther January 24th, 2007 10:07 pm

    The main reason I watched the S.O.T.U. was to hear what Senator Webb had to say. He doesn’t seem to be a person to pull any punches and he didn’t disappoint anyone last night.

15. Michele S. Garden January 24th, 2007 11:00 pm

    When Sec’y of the Navy, Webb was against women in the military, especially in combat roles. Has he evolved in his thinking about women? Because his economic stance is right on target. Does anyone know if he got Democratic support for this foray into reality?

16. Ricklmafd January 25th, 2007 3:21 am

    Bush’s SOTU ‘07 was just more arrogance & hot air with King George again stating he knows best even if the rest of the nation & world disagrees. Sen Webb’s response was great & wonderfully used the examples of Teddy Roosevelt & the robber barons & Eisenhower ending the Korean War to show much better domestic & foreign policies by past Republican administrations. I just hope the Democrats in Congress listened carefully to Webb’s excellent speech and act on it - not Bush’s ranting.

17. dkmnow January 25th, 2007 5:07 am

    I imagine Rahm Emmanuel is solidly on the warpath by now, and the DLC’s army of clones in Congress will soon be seen trying to scrape Webb off, while simultaneously trying (lamely) to ride his ideological coattails to fame. Disgusting. From the moment Pelosi equated impeachment (read: DUTY) with partisan “revenge,” I knew we were in danger of seeing the gains of ‘06 turned into just another pseudo-moderate shadowplay. High crimes and treason inhabit the White House. “Partisanship” be damned — either bring impeachment proceedings or go home and crawl under your bed. Do you hear me, Madam Speaker? No, of course you don’t.

    But like Hegel, Webb has now suffered a timely lapse of political avarice and a public attack of apparent integrity. Let’s hope it’s neither contrived nor temporary. And let’s hope the outpouring of public support it has earned him will open a few eyes on the Hill. But let’s do more than hope.

18. Fool on the Hill January 25th, 2007 8:32 am

    I believe that the common man would like to see his will being carried out by his elected representatives .
    Hillary and Obama are just business as usual.
    What we need is some real change. What we the electorate need to do is send a clear message to the status-quo.
    We the people are not going to stand anymore for things as usual.
    We are awakening from our corporate media induced slumber.
    And now we have the internet to help us level the playing field between the
    common man and those who control the debate.
    They frame us and shame us into supporting their goals

    Support the candidates who are not the choice of media the elite.

19. gmkaake January 25th, 2007 11:08 am

    I loved Webb’s speech! Talk about having your finger on the pulse of America, and having the guts to speak the truth - it was amazing! I would definitely vote for a Kucinich/Webb ticket. I want to see some real change happen in this country. We need leaders with vision, integrity and courage to do it. Webb and Kucinich are perfect.

    Kucinich is definitely running. Here is his campaign site.
    http://kucinich.us/

20. ezeflyer January 25th, 2007 11:58 am

    Murdoch supports Hillary. Goodbye to the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

21. ezeflyer January 25th, 2007 12:17 pm

    99% of all campaign “contributions” come from Big Money so 99% of us don’t get represented. The Corporate, Republican Lite DLC does not represent Democrats. Unless we do a “Dean” on them and run our own candidates, we’ll be stuck with Hillary and Obama.

22. Raya7 January 25th, 2007 12:18 pm

    Senator Webb was brilliant when you consider the usual drivel that passes for the “opposition” response to the State of the Union. In fact, he was talking to WE, the people of the United States. What I don’t understand is why the immediate “afterwords” were all about a Democratic majority, a Republican this, an Independent that. Once again the press - even that left wing libr’l press I love so much chose what NPR calls “the Great Divide.” Perhaps if we stop referring to people by their political religion and we eliminate the aisle they should walk across (seat the Congress boy/girl/boy/girl) then, perhaps, we can get back to what the Founding Fathers intended as a democratic republic.

23. steele505 January 25th, 2007 12:29 pm

    Happened to tune in to Denver 770 AM KOA radio super station last night (I live in New Mexico) and heard a local right-wing host trashing Webb as a crazy and advising his listeners that the man has no standing. Nothing he said about Webb’s speech reflected what Webb had actually said. It’s clear that corporate media is going to try and prevent Webb’s message from being broadcast.

    It’s great that Jim Webb mentioned that today’s CEOs make 400 times the average workers’ pay, compared with 20 times a few years ago. The enthusiasm generated by his speech is showing the way that people from lots of backgrounds can unite around a them of economic populism.

    However, I’m sure BushCo will try and get the war on Iran started ASAP, declare a national emergency, and impose martial law. Only solution is to impeach Bush and Cheney, and have President Pelosi appoint Jim Webb as Vice President.

24. WmCobbett January 25th, 2007 12:41 pm

    I find little above to disagree with. As a 60-yr-old Vietnam era intelligence officer, I am as discouraged and pessimistic about the fate of this nation as I have ever been. Jim Webb’s galvanizing speech was the first bit of hope I have had in years. Obama and Clinton are indeed empty shirts. Kerry’s announcement brought only a “whew” of relief. Howard Dean is better; Kucinich is FAR better but can’t seem to command any attention.

    I wonder—and hope— if he would have the courage to tell the religious right (both Muslim and Christian) where they can park their irrational dogma.

    I am ready to join the Webb for president campaign. I seriously am.

25. Vince Lawrence January 25th, 2007 2:06 pm

    Jeff Cohen’s take on Jim Webb’s rebuttal was spot on. As I listened to Webb I looked at my wife and said “Take THAT Hillary!” I was on to Obama when he first exploded onto the scene. After giving the address to the Democratic Convention in ‘04 he was interviewed immediately afterward backstage and I could see that he was more concerned about his image rather than any of the substance of his just-voiced rhetoric.

    He had a golden opportunity to drive home the points made in his speech but was only concerned about Obama. The guy is a phony, just like Hillary. If there are any true leaders in this country, now is the time for them to lead. Webb has my support, and if he asks for it, my vote.

26. ezeflyer January 25th, 2007 4:12 pm

    Webb and Kucinich may be the best candidates but we don’t get to decide who runs on the Dem ticket; the DLC does. They control the money. And they want the business as usual corporate candidates.

    If you are serious about fixing Democrat’s ingrained problems, listen to Mike Gravel. His is the only solution I know of that will bring back a lasting democracy–direct democracy.

27. rob.price January 25th, 2007 6:54 pm

    Just because the Senates choice for a democratic rebuttal is a hard-nosed, populist talking Jim Webb doesn’t make the guy some type of saint or an anti-war advocate or even Kucinich-esqe on economics. People need to take a deep breath and check things out. Ask themselves just what they’ve got in front of them.

    To summarize the articleSouthern Discomfort, Peter Boyle. (The New Yorker,10/20/2006) Webb is a nationalist of the hard-nosed, populist talking thread. He is for border fences to keep out “illegal” labor, is against free-trade and compares neocons to “Communist Internationalists”– “so far left they seem right…” He is a nationalist with an alarmingly strong belief in Scots-Irish male supremacy.

    He refused to shake Kerry’s hand for twenty years for Kerry’s “about face” and protest against the Vietnam war.

    I suppose he and Kerry are on talking terms today, seeing how Bill Clinton held a fund-raiser with Webb in 2006.

    Mike Gravel is mentioned in the comments. Mike Gravel sounds like a populist too. He’s currently chairman of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution

    According to sourcewatch:”AdTI is an industry-funded organization which advocates lower taxes and less regulation.” Linux folk will know this group for its anti-linux (pro Microsoft?) stance.

    Obama GM, corn-based fuel, and making money? Barak Obama Inc., Ken Silverstein. Harper’s Magazine 11/2006.

    hope this is of help.

28. nomorebombs January 26th, 2007 6:30 am

    We need to sit there until the liars leave—-by the millions and millions - Gore, Webb, Kucinich are telling the truth we need to support them…

29. NeoCogito January 29th, 2007 9:34 pm

    Beyond The Event Horizon
    Will someone please remind the Beltway Media- to see about J-o-h-n E-d-w-a-r-d-s!!

    Bill Clinton why did you NOT! employ the same painstaking talent for finessing YOUR!! image, to fine-tune your savage NAFTA Wars (hastily hustled thru the process, before the public could get wind of it). When Clinton invited the fat-cat takeover of our free press in ‘96 (Telecommunications Act of ‘96- The Event Horizon) our gov’t lost its transparency. Everything that transpired after that went into the media blackhole to be ignored or spun by the “Friends of Bill” -all those giddy gazillionaires he’s spent his political career ingratiating himself to. I mean -the fallout from NAFTA was/is exploding but the liberties we’ve seen GWB take would not have been possible without Bill Clinton’s historical across-the-board deregulation.

    “The moving finger writes,” privilege or entitlement won’t handle it and no amount of bullying, bulldozing, spin, or even $$$ will change it- history in a free world, won’t be written as “My Life” (his autobiography) but will eventually recognize Bill Clinton as the most weighty influence- to cripple democracy in US history. Bush never could’ve done it without Clinton to implement the GOP’s
    biggest hard right-priorities.

    Careers have been lost and those who even look! grassroots dare to oppose, or worst of all!!! threaten to expose the Clinton’s Beltway have a way of vanishing politically. Please don’t help the royal couple continue undermining our party & eliminating grassroots! candidates.

    “The two greatest obstacles to democracy in the United States are, first, the widespread delusion among the poor that we have a democracy, and second, the chronic terror among the rich, lest we get it.”

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32. EAM in Ohio January 29th, 2008 9:42 am

    Are all of you people sheep, or maybe just asleep still this morning? When are all of you liberal types going to start listening to what is coming out of your mouths, or some of your favorite leaders’ mouths, and maybe start thinking for yourselves. OH, sorry, that would be the democratic way of governing — don’t think, we can do that better for you; don’t work, let those with initiative work for you while you take advantage of massive entitlement programs.

    Here’s just one line out of a transcript of Webb’s response: “When I graduated from college, the average corporate CEO made 20 times what the average worker did; today, it’s nearly 400 times. In other words, it takes the average worker more than a year to make the money that his or her boss makes in one day.” Please tell me what this has to do with a democratic response to the state of the union address, other than to rile a bunch of numb nuts like you people by somehow trying to associate the parity in CEO wages with George Bush’s presidency.

    This is the same kind of pablum you people seem to lap up most eagerly when it comes out of the mouths of people like Webb, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, and others whose only platform seems to be Bush-Bashing. I’m not a democrat, but about the only person on the Dem side of the fence worth a single vote is Obama.

    Please wake up before you vote this November.

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