Wes Clark, Michael J. Fox, and Jim Webb in Arlington

November 2, 2006
By Lowell | from Raising Kaine

Clark: "Enough is enough! We need people who can make a difference in life, people like Jim Webb."

Wow, what a night. I mean, what else can you say when you're in a room with 1,000 Webb supporters, all there to see and hear General Wesley Clark, actor Michael J. Fox, and soon-to-be Senator Jim Webb? Photos will be coming later, but for now, here's a report.

Wes Clark kicked off the rally. He talked about we should welcome everyone "whose heart is in the right place" into the Democratic Party. He urged everyone to vote for "one of the greatest men ever to stand for the U.S. Senate - Jim Webb!" He asserted that we now live in a time of "unique crisis," and that it's "time for America to come together."

According to Clark, we are "overstretched," government doesn't have a plan, and Congress "doesn't have the courage to ask the right questions." The country is suffering after 6 years of Republican rule. As a consequence of this "leadership," failures and corruption abound. Enough is enough! We need people who can make a difference in life, people like Jim Webb.

Clark talked about Webb as a person who "didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth." Instead, Webb did it "the tough way," working his way through the US Naval Academy and the Marine Corps. Webb proved himself under fire in Vietnam. Webb has been a man of action. Webb has served when the country called. And Webb has taken all his passion, plus the lessons he learned, to create great books like "Fields of Fire." In Clark's opinion, we all owe Jim Webb a great deal for his writings. Now, Webb's going to take that courage, that "born fighting" spirit, and he's going to fight for America. All of which is why, Clark concluded, we need to elect Jim Webb on November 7!!!

Jim Webb spoke about the tremendous energy of his volunteers, who have carried him from 30+ points down into the lead. Now, with "4 days and a wakeup" left to go, everyone needs to work on getting people out to vote.

Webb pointed out that when he started this campaign, he made a vow that he wouldn't change what he believed in to get a vote or to raise money. And he has lived up to that vow. He has run a positive campaign, with a focus on issues that matter to America. He has not allowed himself to get dragged into the gutter by his opponent. And people are thanking him for running a positive campaign. "Just look at our ads," Webb challenged the crowd, and try to find a single negative one out there.

Webb talked about how, for the past 6 years, we have suffered so much "bullying" from people who simply want to stay in power. They have opposed scientific research, including stem cell research, in a way that makes THEM the ones who act like it's 1806, not 2006. Luckily, Michael J. Fox had the courage to setp forward and talk about the value of scientific research. And Fox has continued talking about this, despite the bullying of people like Rush Limbaugh, who should know a little bit himself about prescription drugs. Webb related that his mother was in a nursing home, and that he'd "love to be able to talk to her but I can't." That's just one example of why we need stem cell research.

Michael J. Fox thanked Jim Webb, "the next Senator from Virginia." Fox said that he was out supporting candidates who support stem cell research, and opposing candidates who oppose it. According to Fox, "America's about hope." That's why "the idea of restricting one of the most promising areas of research is so short-sighted." This is an example of less-than-compassionate conservatism. Fortunately, Fox is "not going away." Nor, Fox stated, are the millions of American suffering from terrible diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Sadly, Senator Allen voted AGAINST stem cell research. That's just one reason why "Senator Allen needs to hear from you!" The thing with stem cell research is that it uses embryos that would be discarded anyway in order to save lives. According to Fox, "I can think of no better affirmation of the culture of life" than that. Even if it takes years, we need research to start now, with the full support of the federal government. And every one of you MUST show up on election day and make your voices heard. You owe it to yourself, to your family, to your friends and neighbors. Vote for Jim Webb for U.S. Senate on November 7!