But he opposed President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003 and was recruited by Democrats to challenge Allen in 2006.
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Acknowledging his underdog status, Webb said America nevertheless needed an alternative to the candidates already stumping for votes. “We need to shake the hold of these shadow elites on our political process”, Webb added. “We will work with our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies to restore stability in Europe, and with our friends in the Middle East, particularly Israel, our most stable partner and friend in the region, to reduce the cycle of violence and turmoil in that part of the world”.
Webb cited his military experience as well as his domestic policy record in the Senate.
Webb may be one of the most interesting and complex candidates in the race: Secretary of the Navy for Ronald Reagan, ex- Senator from Virginia, a Viet Nam War hero, a novelist, a scholar. The president is set to give a speech on his plan to allow overtime pay for millions more Americans during a stop at UW-La Crosse.
Webb has made frequent visits to the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina but is overshadowed in the contest. It was Webb who recently defended those who honor the Confederate battle flag; it was Webb regularly sided with Republicans on climate change; and it was Webb who has generally resisted the Democratic vision on issues related to diversity. “It should not be used in any way as a political symbol that divides us”. That is, until today, when Webb launched a presidential campaign. His Born Fighting political action committee took in less than $160,000 in 2014, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign donations. “Serious campaigning will begin very soon”.
A graduate of the USA Naval Academy, Webb fought in Vietnam, but after an injury sustained there, he retired from the Marine Corps. Webb has outlined a campaign message centered on helping working-class Americans compete in the economy, reworking the campaign finance system and preventing the US from getting involved in foreign entanglements like Iraq and Afghanistan.
After announcing he would run, Webb’s staff posted his first fundraising pitch to Twitter.
“I welcome Jim Webb’s bid to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2016”, said DNC chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Webb arrived in D.C. with what The Washington Post called “a brash, unpolished style”.
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“I mean what I say, that if I make a promise I will keep it, and that outside my faith and my family, my greatest love will always be for this unbelievable country”, Webb wrote to his supporters.
