James Webb, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, talks with retired Marine David Hennessy, a student at the University of Mary Washington, in April. FILE/MIKE MORONES/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

I admire Jim Webb, but I won't support him in his race for the Senate

Date published: 7/3/2006

JIM WEBB HAS BEEN nomi- nated in a primary election in Virginia to run as the Democratic Party nominee in the Senate race against incumbent Republican George Allen. Many would think I would automatically support Webb in his candidacy. In fact, a couple of friends have already jumped to that conclusion and I have had to set them straight: I will oppose him vigorously and will strongly and enthusiastically support George Allen.

They assumed I would support him because I was a contemporary of Jim Webb in our Marine Corps service. I joined the Marine Corps in 1967, Jim in 1968, and we both served in Vietnam as infantry officers. We served in the same regiment--5th Marines--and in the same geographical area--southern Quang Nam Province, albeit he in 1969 and I in 1968. Though we are not even acquaintances, I greatly respect his Marine Corps service and his later service as an assistant secretary of defense and as secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration.

I have greatly enjoyed his writing, including his first book, the Vietnam novel "Fields of Fire," as well as his most recent book, "Born Fighting," on the Scots-Irish in America.

I differ with Jim Webb on the war in Iraq. I support, he opposes. But even there, reasonable folks can differ. The reason I oppose his candidacy for the Senate is that he is carrying the standard of a political party that is diametrically opposed to all my deeply held beliefs. He has already indicated that he is pro-abortion and pro-homosexual marriage, for example. There are many issues to consider, but Jim cannot join the Democratic Party, or any party for that matter, and not fall into line with at least the majority of the party platform planks.

Veterans are already hearing that they should support Jim Webb because he is one of them, and a distinguished one at that. But electing a senator or any other public official on his past military service alone is treading on very dangerous ground.

Date published: 7/3/2006