Teddy Goodson

Date published: 7/7/2006

Dennis Lister explained why he will not support James Webb, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat from Virginia ["Why I won't support James Webb for Senate, despite deep respect," July 3].

Is it really so surprising that the vice chairman of the Republican Committee of Fredericksburg will not support the Democratic nominee?

Of course not. But what I did find odd was some of his rationale. His tactic appeared to be an attempt to trivialize Webb's outstanding record of public service by misrepresenting Webb's positions on narrowly defined "issues."

Jim Webb brings a straightforward philosophy of populism and traditional Jacksonian democracy that emphasizes fairness for all Americans, as opposed to the corrupt cronyism and breathtaking corporate greed implemented by the current crop of Republican leaders, like George Allen.

Mr. Webb supports personal independence and responsibility and opposes interference by a busybody government in our private lives, yet Mr. Lister chooses to attack this viewpoint by trotting out shopworn stereotypes on abortion and what he terms "homosexual marriage."

He warns fellow conservatives that they must not stay home on Election Day out of distaste for what "some" Republican leaders have done, thus inadvertently admitting that today's Republicans have indeed betrayed their constituents and the country with their costly mistakes.

Mr. Lister wants America to continue on what even he indirectly acknowledges is the wrong path by re-electing Allen, who is part of the problem, not part of the solution, having voted at least 95 percent of the time with that mistaken Republican leadership.

I support Jim Webb for Senate not because of this or that issue, but because he is a man of principle and leadership who can change the terms of debate, get us out of the partisan rut in which we are mired, and help to take America in a new direction.

Mr. Lister should wake up and turn his back on the tired past--and face the future by supporting Mr. Webb.

Fairfax

Date published: 7/7/2006