Webb, Kerry: Running real soldiers for Congress

by Mark Silva

Jim Webb, the former Navy secretary, Vietnam veteran and now senator from Virginia, is trying to get some more veterans elected to Congress. Those would be Democrats, of course.

John Kerry, the senator from Massachusetts, former candidate for president and Vietnam veteran, is attempting to accomplish the same goal -- which explains why Webb is dispatching emails to Democrats on the Kerry for Veterans e-network.

They've got five candidates in mind, as well, with an eye toward reelecting two incumbents and adding three more veterrans. Webb's own name is starting to swirl in that early dust-storm of potential running mates for the party's presidential nominee next year. Something about making the point that Democrats get national security, which plays out in the electing-veterans campaign. (These would be "real soldiers,'' we also assume.).

"As I travel throughout Virginia and around the country, I hear often that Washington simply doesn't understand the serious burdens faced by our military members and their families,'' Webb writes. "This is true whether the issue is proper troop rotation policies - an issue I worked hard on this summer - health care, or adequate veterans' benefits.

"I believe it's more important than ever to elect veterans to Congress - people who understand on a personal level the tribulations and the pride of the military service, as well as the life and death consequences of our foreign policy. Simply put, we need people who understand that the strength of this nation is not in the rhetoric and bluster of its leaders, but in the character of its citizens.''

"I'm pleased that the Democratic Party once again has a strong group of young veterans running for Congress,'' Webb writes. "Many of you helped me in 2006 when a lot of so-called experts didn't think I could win. I hope you will consider doing the same thing in 2008 to make the campaigns of these new veteran candidates successful.

"We have two incumbents from Pennsylvania. First, there is Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and a strong ally in getting a new course in Iraq. He's in a district with less than 40% Democratic registration, so he can really use your help.

"Admiral Joe Sestak, who has said the generosity of Senator John Kerry and his supporters helped put him over the top in 2006, is running in another competitive race, so I hope you will support him. And we have three promising challengers, all in competitive districts, who have the experience and drive to become effective members of Congress.

"Two of them, Eric Massa in New York and Charlie Brown in California, ran close races last year that came within a few points of winning. They are back, and with the right support, can succeed in 2008.

"And we have another promising newcomer, Jon Powers, who is an Iraqi War Veteran running in New York's 26th District against Republican Tom Reynolds.''

He directs voters to read more about these five, and of course, contribute money.