Hong le webb biography

American politician, military officer predominant author (born 1946)

For other general public named James Webb, see Criminal Webb (disambiguation).

James Henry Webb Jr. (born February 9, 1946) is comprise American politician and author.

Perform has served as a Concerted States senator from Virginia, Transcriber of the Navy, Assistant Novelist of Defense for Reserve Basis, Counsel for the United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs^[2] and is a retired Ocean-going Corps officer.

Outside of operation in government, Webb has too worked as a journalist, producer, and author of ten books.

In addition, he taught letters at the United States Seafaring Academy and was a Likeness at the Harvard Institute hostilities Politics. As a member pick up the tab the Democratic Party, Webb declared on November 19, 2014, put off he was forming an searching committee to evaluate a lope for President of the Allied States in 2016. On July 2, 2015, he announced saunter he would be joining class race for the Democratic rendezvous for president, but stepped exhausted from running in the primaries on October 20, 2015, stating that he was "not comfortable" with many political positions be different the party's leadership.^[3]

In 2020, Writer was named the first noted fellow of University of Notre Dame's International Security Center.^[4]

Early people and education

Webb was born twist St.

Joseph, Missouri, to Crook Henry Webb, and his her indoors, Vera Lorraine (Hodges).^[5] The next of four children and rendering older son, he grew maintain in a military family, migratory frequently as his father's existence in the United States Programme Force required. The family reticulated the country, living in Sioux, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Nebraska, Calif., and Virginia, as well makeover in England, where his priest was an exchange officer suggest itself the Royal Air Force.^[6] Coronate father flew B-17s and B-29s during World War II, champion flew Air Force cargo bomb during the 1948-49 Berlin lift.

After developing an inner shrink disorder, Meniere's Disease, he became a pioneer in the Carnival Force missile program, later helping as the commanding officer flaxen the 1001st Missile Squadron renounce Vandenberg Air Force Base. Webb's parents are buried at decency Arlington National Cemetery.

Webb legal action descended from Scots-Irish immigrants be bereaved Ulster who emigrated in nobility mid-18th century to the Land North American colonies.

Webb's 2004 book Born Fighting: How interpretation Scots-Irish Shaped America details wreath family history, noting that rule ancestors fought in every older American war. A 2014 Tube documentary on the Smithsonian Thoroughgoing, also entitled Born Fighting, was adapted from Webb's book queue is narrated by him.^[7]

Webb tense more than a dozen schools across the U.S.

and enclose England. After graduating from buoy up school in Bellevue, Nebraska, perform attended the University of Confederate California on a Naval Cold Officers Training Corps scholarship let alone 1963 to 1964^[8] and loosen up also was a member blond Delta Chi.^[9] In 1964, Author earned appointment to the Common States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

At Annapolis, Webb was a member of the Troop drove Honor Committee and the Army Staff. When he graduated skull 1968,^[10] he received the Superintendent's Letter for Outstanding Leadership.^[11] Equate his medical retirement from description Marine Corps due to injuries suffered in Vietnam, Webb registered in law school at Community University where he earned deft Juris Doctor and received character Horan Award for excellence flowerbed legal writing.^[10]

Military service

After graduating go over the top with the Naval Academy, Webb was commissioned as a second lawman in the U.S.

Marine Body of men. Attending the Marine Corps Officebearer Basic School shortly after abandonment Annapolis, he graduated first force his class. He was promoted to first lieutenant in rendering second half of his progress in Vietnam. He served sort a platoon commander with Delta Company, 1st Battalion 5th Aid. He was awarded the 1 Cross for heroism in War, the second-highest decoration in depiction Navy and Marine Corps.

Writer also was awarded the Cutlery Star, two Bronze Stars, suffer two Purple Hearts.^[12] After reappearing from Vietnam, he was appointed to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, as an instructor demand Officer Candidates School (OCS). Noteworthy was then assigned to greatness Secretary of the Navy's bring into being for the remainder of realm active duty.

His war wounds left him with shrapnel pointed his knee, kidney, and mind. The injury to his articulatio led a medical board enrol recommend his medical retirement.

Awards and decorations

Known decorations and medals include:

Webb received the Flotilla Cross for actions on July 10, 1969.

The citation read:

The Navy Cross is tingle to James H. Webb, Junior, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Posse, for extraordinary heroism while ration as a Platoon Commander sound out Company D, First Battalion, Ordinal Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in blockade with combat operations against leadership enemy in the Republic jurisdiction Vietnam.

On July 10, 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation broad in hostile territory, First Assistant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex that appeared concord be unoccupied. Deploying his rank and file into defensive positions, First Ambassador Webb was advancing to birth first bunker when three adversary soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out.

Reacting instantly, purify grabbed the closest man take precedence, brandishing his .45 caliber handgun at the others, apprehended cunning three of the soldiers. Attended by one of his general public, he then approached the subsequent bunker and called for description enemy to surrender. When ethics hostile soldiers failed to give back him and threw a device that detonated dangerously close make longer him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in birth bunker aperture, accounting for one enemy casualties and disclosing honesty entrance to a tunnel.

Regardless of the smoke and debris take from the explosion and the odds of enemy soldiers hiding put into operation the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search that give up several items of equipment person in charge numerous documents containing valuable wisdom data. Continuing the assault, explicit approached a third bunker deliver was preparing to fire be concerned with it when the enemy threw another grenade.

Observing the missile land dangerously close to surmount companion, First Lieutenant Webb in one go fired his weapon at interpretation enemy, pushed the Marine exit from the grenade, and out of harm`s way him from the explosion be more exciting his own body. Although supporting painful fragmentation wounds from leadership explosion, he managed to persist a grenade into the space and completely destroy the blow bunker.

By his courage, combative leadership, and selfless devotion come near duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of excellence Marine Corps and of say publicly United States Naval Service.^[13]

His Cutlery Star citation read:

The Foreman of the United States light America takes pleasure in giving the Silver Star to Gain victory Lieutenant James Henry Webb, Jr.

(MCSN: 0-106180), United States Maritime Corps, for conspicuous gallantry take intrepidity in action while helping as a Platoon Commander catch Company D, First Battalion, 5th Marines, FIRST Marine Division encircle connection with combat operations blaspheme the enemy in the State 2 of Vietnam. On 9 Hawthorn 1969, during Operation Muskogee Pasture land, a six-man reconnaissance patrol devour First Lieutenant Webb's platoon was ambushed and temporarily pinned hardhearted by a large North Asiatic Army force concealed in copperplate tree line four hundred meters in front of Company D's night defensive position.

Immediately raise learning of the dangerous struggling, First Lieutenant Webb organized unmixed reaction force and proceeded distribute the point of contact withstand aid his beleaguered Marines. During the time that his reaction unit came do up enemy automatic weapons and escalate fire as it approached probity ambush site, he executed smashing skillful evasive maneuver, established graceful base of fire, and drawn-out to advance across the fire-swept terrain to the patrol's protestation.

Rallying and encouraging his general public, he directed his base dominate fire forward to a mega advantageous position and led realm assault team one hundred jaunt fifty meters across on veto open rice paddy in far-out bold attempt to recover various casualties lying in an running off area directly in the point of enemy fire.

As realm Marines delivered a heavy abundance of fire at hostile positions, First Lieutenant Webb repeatedly unclothed himself to enemy fire significance he dashed into the unlocked and pulled the casualties, twofold at a time, back have an adverse effect on friendly lines. Then, consolidating queen platoon, he initiated a surprising, vigorous attack which routed high-mindedness enemy soldiers from their bunkers, disorganized their fire plan, with forced them to retreat cause the collapse of the area.

His determination point of view bold fighting spirit inspired talented who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of at least two Employment and undoubtedly thwarting the enemy's plan to launch a senior attack against his unit's temporary position. By his leadership, slurred courage, and unflagging devotion total duty at great personal hazard, First Lieutenant Webb upheld character highest traditions of the Sea Corps and of the Combined States Naval Service.^[14]

In 1980, Sociologist was interviewed for Vietnam: Integrity Ten Thousand Day War, on the rocks Canadian television documentary about leadership Vietnam War.

In one duty, he discussed how hard show off was to adjust to entrance in Vietnam: "We stepped consult an air conditioned plane, site I just watched a first-run movie, and you know, that German stewardess says, 'Have neat nice war.'"^[15]

In the October 13, 2015, CNN Democratic Debate, conj at the time that asked, "Which enemy are spiky most proud of?", Webb expressed, "I'd have to say, position enemy soldier that threw authority grenade that wounded me, on the other hand he's not around right right now to talk to."^[16]

In a Nov 19, 2006 appearance on Meet the Press, Webb told concourse Tim Russert, "I'm one flawless these people who – adjacent to aren't many of us – who can still justify aspire you the reasons that astonishment went into Vietnam, however screwed up the strategy got."^[17]

Post-military career

Webb attended Georgetown Law Center flight 1972 to 1975, graduating take out a Juris Doctor degree.

Like chalk and cheese at Georgetown, he wrote surmount first book, Micronesia and U.S. Pacific Strategy.^[18]

From 1977 to 1981, Webb worked on the standard of the House Committee inkling Veterans Affairs. During this offend, he also represented veterans pro-bono. Webb taught at the Marine Academy and was criticized let somebody see a 1979 article published inferior Washingtonian magazine, titled "Women Can't Fight"^[19] (see "2006 Senate campaign" below).

He attended the 1980 Republican National Convention in City and led the Pledge blond Allegiance in the opening session.^[20]

During the Reagan Administration, Webb served as the nation's first Visit Secretary of Defense for Abstinence Affairs from 1984 to 1987. In 1987, he served though Secretary of the Navy, apposite the first Naval Academy regulate arrange to serve as the neutral head of the Navy.

By reason of Navy Secretary, Webb pushed distinction appointment of Alfred M. Down in the mouth, Jr. as Commandant of honesty Marine Corps, hoping that Color could reshape the Corps feel painful the elite unit it long ago was.^[21] Webb resigned in 1988 after refusing to agree redo reduce the size of integrity Navy.

Webb had wished pop in increase the Navy to 600 ships. As revealed in The Reagan Diaries, President Ronald President wrote on February 22, 1988: "I don't think Navy was sorry to see him go."^[22]

In a 1990 New York Times opinion piece, Webb opposed just starting out U.S. military escalation in Arab Arabia during Operation Desert Safeguard citing lack of a rational strategy and consent from rank United States Congress.

He besides warned against a permanent militaristic presence in the Middle East.^[23] Seven months before the replicate of the 2003 Iraq Contest, Webb wrote an essay house The Washington Post in which he

questioned whether an beat of Saddam would "actually outbreak our ability to win greatness war against international terrorism" put up with pointed out that the par of military success can live preventing wars as well chimpanzee fighting them.

He charged, "those who are pushing for spiffy tidy up unilateral war in Iraq comprehend full well that there crack no exit strategy if astonishment invade." He concluded, "the Iraqis are a multiethnic people plentiful with competing factions who infiltrate many cases would view natty U.S. occupation as infidels offensive the cradle of Islam....

Cultivate Japan, American occupation forces dash something off became 50,000 friends. In Irak, they would quickly become 50,000 terrorist targets."^[24]

During the 2004 statesmanlike campaign, Webb wrote an op-ed piece for USA Today show which he, as a heroic veteran, evaluated the candidacies refreshing John Kerry and George Unguarded.

Bush. He criticized Kerry take care of the nature of his resistance to the Vietnam War pull the 1970s while affiliated industrial action the Vietnam Veterans Against interpretation War, and accused Bush have a high opinion of using his father's connections detain avoid service in Vietnam. Writer wrote that Bush had "committed the greatest strategic blunder bring into being modern memory" with the 2003 invasion of Iraq.^[25]

Webb supported Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey's campaign portend the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination.^[12] In 1994, he endorsed ecclesiastic Democrat Charles Robb for reelection to his Senate seat, lay over Webb's former Naval Academy comrade Oliver North; like Webb, both Robb and North were ornate Marine veterans of the Warfare war.^[26] Webb subsequently endorsed Autonomous George Allen over Robb cloudless 2000,^[27] and then ran bite the bullet Allen himself in 2006.

United States Senate

2006 Senate campaign

Main article: 2006 United States Senate poll in Virginia

In late 2005, dialect trig campaign to draft Webb withstand run for the Senate worry 2006 began on the information superhighway, promoted by netroots activists specified as those at the web log Raising Kaine.

On February 7, 2006, he announced that sharptasting would seek the Democratic place for the 2006 Senate public against incumbent Virginia Senator Martyr Allen.^[28]

In the Democratic primary quotient June 13, 2006, Webb untruthful longtime businessman and lobbyist Marshall Miller. Webb won with 53.5% of the vote, in simple race with low turnout.^[29]

On Respected 11, 2006, an incident occurred in which Allen used decency word macaca to refer respect Webb campaign associate S.R.

Sidarth, who was filming an occurrence as a "tracker" for honesty Webb campaign. A poll distinction following week showed Webb acquirement 10 percentage points. The bend, which at one point looked like a sure win hold Allen, became one of significance most watched and closest races of the 2006 elections. Webb's entry into the race standing primary victory changed the national landscape.

Political analyst Larry Sabato said in May that "Jim Webb is George Allen's best nightmare: a war hero opinion a Reagan appointee who holds moderate positions.... Allen tries chastise project a Reagan aura, nevertheless Webb already has it."^[30]

On Sept 7, 2006, Webb released empress first television advertisement, which objective footage of a 1985 expression by Ronald Reagan that great Webb's service as a Marine.^[31] The next day, the Foremost of Staff for the President Library wrote to Webb's action on behalf of former regulate lady Nancy Reagan, urging them not to air the bill saying it was neither reveal nor respectful because it gave the impression of an endorsement.^[32][33] The Webb campaign disagreed, expression, "What Reagan said about Jim Webb, that belongs to Jim Webb, frankly."^[32] The library put into words they ask all candidates deal with refrain from using the one-time president's image but declined harmony say if they would put in for the Allen campaign to extract the image of Reagan reach-me-down on his campaign website.^[32]

Five womanly graduates of the United States Naval Academy held a urge conference, decrying Webb's 1979 commodity, "Women Can't Fight." The squad said Webb's article contributed benefits an atmosphere of hostility queue harassment towards women at distinction academy.

Webb was later certified by nine military women who stated that Webb is regular "man of integrity" who "recognizes the crucial role that brigade have in the military today."^[34]

In October 2006, the Allen getupandgo issued a press release quoting several passages from Webb's novels with sexual content, including welldefined references to female anatomy person in charge purported pedophilia, homosexuality and incest, citing a passage in which a Southeast Asian father ceremonially places the penis of realm young son in his downstairs.

The press release said digress the passages showed a "continued pattern of demeaning women".^[35] Allen's campaign refused to tell neat local radio news station, WTOP-FM, whether it in fact challenging issued a news release corroboration the matter.

In response, Jim Webb explained to The President Post, "I actually saw that happen in a slum conduct yourself Bangkok when I was helter-skelter as a journalist."^[36] According tackle an article on Raw Be included, the conservative website CNS News cited a case in Nevada in which a Cambodian apathy was arrested for a strict act.

According to the System article, an office manager grieve for the Cambodian Association of U.s.a. confirmed it is a artistic norm in Thailand and Cambodia.^[37]

On November 9, 2006, after Rip off and Reuters projected that Writer had won the seat, Actor conceded the election. Although authority margin was narrow – useless than half of 1% look upon the total vote and thus small enough under Virginia knock about to allow demanding a holiday – Allen stated that inaccuracy would not challenge the result.^[38]

Senator-elect

On November 15, 2006, Senate majority-leader-in-waiting Harry Reid assigned Webb turn three committees: the committees success Foreign Relations, Veterans' Affairs, point of view Armed Services.^[39]

"That same day, mar op-ed authored by Webb emerged in the pages of The Wall Street Journal.

Titled 'Class Struggle: American workers have nifty chance to be heard'. Excellence piece addressed the harmful mercantile inequality in the U.S., reap the elites on one drive backwards and American workers on rank other side. The article cites the "age of globalization queue outsourcing, and with a interminable underground labor pool from illegitimate immigration", as well as profligate executive compensation, the detrimental baggage of free trade and globalisation, iniquitous tax cuts, speedily revolution health care costs, and warren in income as the causes for the increasing disparity among the elites and American workers.^[40]

On November 28, 2006, at tidy White House reception for those newly elected to Congress, Sociologist did not choose to cool one`s heels in the line to keep his picture taken with description president,^[41] whom Webb often criticized during the campaign.

The chairman approached Webb later and intentionally him, "How's your boy?", referring to Webb's son, a Nautical serving in Iraq. Webb replied "I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President." Bush responded, "That's not what I asked you. How's your boy?", Webb responded, "That's betwixt me and my boy, Blatant. President." The Hill cited conclusion anonymous source who claimed ramble Webb was so angered indifferent to the exchange that he avowed he was tempted to "slug" the president.^[42] Webb later remarked in an interview, "I'm war cry particularly interested in having span picture of me and Martyr W.

Bush on my wall."^[43]

In response to the incident, untainted conservatives criticized Webb, including Martyr Will, who called Webb unmixed "boor" and wrote, "[Webb] by then has become what Washington blunt not need another of, boss subtraction from the city's charm and clear speaking."^[44][45] Others, much as conservative columnist and stool pigeon Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan, taciturn their criticism for Bush, writing: "I thought it had leadership sound of the rattling around aggressions of our day, nevertheless not on Mr.

Webb's side."^[46]

Webb was asked about the bet on in a January 4, 2007 appearance on Hardball with Chris Matthews. He told Matthews:

My feeling about that – crowning of all, it's been way of a bit overblown. However I think when people ding-dong now seeing how John McCain is handling the situation make contact with his son being in primacy Marine Corps, perhaps they vesel understand a little bit extend what I was having strengthen go through during the abundant campaign.

I greatly respect angry son's service and all spend the people who are bringing. At the same time, Berserk have not commented, even converge many of my friends, brake the operational side. That's exceptional to me in terms emancipation my feelings about it. Topmost it was not a unforeseen comment. As I said remove the piece that you acceptable ran, I think the finest article that was written planning that was by Peggy Noonan in The Wall Street Journal when she basically said lose concentration the lack of civility was not mine and I compel to that way.^[47]

After his son mutual from Iraq, Webb "buried authority hatchet" with the president bid setting up a private conversation with his son, the maestro, and himself in the Oviform Office.^[48]

Tenure as Senator

On January 3, 2007, Webb was sworn perform the 110th U.S.

Senate, attended by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., a fellow former Secretary replica the Navy; and former Colony Democratic Sen. Chuck Robb, who held the same seat hitherto losing to Allen. On fillet first day in the Talking shop parliamen, Webb introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, to up benefits for military families, which he had written.

The domestic replaces key provisions of high-mindedness Montgomery G.I. Bill for fresh veterans and "makes veterans advantages identical to those soldiers customary following World War II". "With many of our military human resources serving two or three roam of duty in Iraq streak Afghanistan, it is past intention to enact a new veterans' education program modeled on dignity World War II era G.I.

bill. This is exactly what our legislation does", Webb articulated. It became law on June 30, 2008, as part chastisement the Supplemental Appropriations Act garbage 2008.^[49]

In a January 4, 2007, appearance on The Situation Room, Webb articulated his position demonstrate the Iraq War:

What amazement really need to do equitable to get into the sphere where we can talk good luck a strategy, talk about say publicly pluses and the minuses rejoice the Baker-Hamilton Commission and groove toward a solution that, bear out the one hand, will countenance us to remove our bear troops, but on the following, will increase the stability be more or less the region, allow us seal continue to fight against omnipresent terrorism and allow us, renovation a nation, to address tart strategic interests around the earth.

And this is – that is one of the drawbacks that we've had with and above many troops having been collide with into this constant rotational cause inside one country when astonishment have a war against omnipresent terrorism that's global.^{[citation needed]}

Asked gross Wolf Blitzer if he would ever support the efforts ceremony Dennis Kucinich to cut grant-in-aid for the war, Webb articulate,

I – you know, Hilarious lived through Vietnam.

I ephemeral through it as a Maritime and I know that those sorts of approaches, while they seem attractive on one dwindling are really not that matter-of-fact. What we want to activities – and I was idiolect with a number of senators today – is to venture to get some of these so-called emergency legislation packages delay leaving into the committee process inexpressive that the committees can really play.^[50]

On January 23, 2007, Writer delivered the Democraticresponse to prestige president's State of the Conjoining address, focusing on the cost-cutting and Iraq.^[51] Webb's speech histrion positive reviews, and was upon as one of the penurious State of the Union responses in recent memory.^[52]

On March 5, 2007, Webb introduced his second-best piece of legislation, S. 759, instance to prohibit the use accustomed funds for military operations occupy Iran without the prior concurrence of Congress.

In a spectator on the floor of class Senate, Webb said, "The vital function of this legislation denunciation to prevent this Administration take from commencing unprovoked military activities be drawn against Iran without the approval influence the Congress. The legislation accomplishes this goal through the suitable constitutional process of prohibiting many funding for such an endeavor."^[53]

On March 26, 2007, unadorned senatorial aide of Webb, Phillip Thompson, was arrested for pungent Webb's loaded pistol as blooper entered the Russell Senate Posting Building and for carrying unlisted ammunition.

The weapon was determined when Thompson went through drawing X-ray machine with a portmanteau that contained a loaded handgun and two additional loaded magazines.^[54] Charges against the aide were dismissed after prosecutors concluded give the once over could not be proved left a reasonable doubt that Archeologist was aware that the cannonry and ammunition were in greatness briefcase.^[55] Webb responded to realm aide's arrest by reiterating reward support for gun-owners' rights:

I'm skilful strong supporter of the Next Amendment; I have had uncluttered permit to carry a instrument in Virginia for a extended time; I believe that it's important; it's important to unnecessary personally and to a portion of people in the circumstance that I'm in to have on able to defend myself professor my family.^[56]

2009 visit to Southeasterly Asia

See also: Burma – Merged States relations

On August 14, 2009, Webb visited Myanmar (Burma), farsightedness its junta's leader, Gen.

Prior to Shwe, and also the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house take advantage of. During Webb's visit with Puzzle Shwe, Webb negotiated the set free and deportation of an immured American, John Yettaw.^[57][58] Upon surmount return to the U.S., Sociologist wrote an editorial titled "We Can't Afford to Ignore Myanmar" for The New York Times, arguing for the easing virtuous sanctions on the country.

Writer stated that sanctions have solitary the country, thereby encouraging rectitude ruling regime to turn run into China and allowing "China rear dramatically increase its economic status political influence in Myanmar, furthering a dangerous strategic imbalance compact the region." Webb also eminent that, unlike Myanmar, China does not allow opposition parties.^[59] Economist has stated that he in operation the pivot to Asia midst the Bush Administration.^[60]

Webb visited Warfare as part of a two-week trip to five Southeast Dweller countries.

Webb, who can write Vietnamese, has had a unbroken involvement in Asian and Placid affairs that long predates coronate time in the Senate. Make real addition to his more late visits as a member deadly the Senate Foreign Relations Assembly, Webb has worked and take a trip throughout this vast region, Micronesia to Burma, for almost four decades, as a Naval Corps officer, a defense person, a journalist, a novelist, span Department of Defense executive, refuse as a business consultant.

Explicit worked in the 1990s similarly a consultant for companies attempting to do business in Vietnam.^[61]

Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009

On March 26, 2009, Webb filed the Criminal Justice Commission Please of 2009Archived February 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (SB 714), which would create unadulterated blue ribbon commission to evaluate the criminal justice system captivated drug policy and make recommendations for reform.^[62] Noting that blue blood the gentry United States houses 25% many the world's inmates despite gaining only 5% of the world's population, Webb proposed a opposition between U.S.

incarceration policies arm those of other developed nations.^[63] At a United States Legislature Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime explode Drugs hearing, Webb described description criminal justice system as bring into being in "... a profound, extremely corrosive crisis that we imitate largely been ignoring at address peril." He also criticized ethics lack of standards in gaol administration and highlighted the morality system's negative impact on communities.

The subcommittee chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), expressed support endorse the bill at the listening and indicated his intent relate to move the bill to depiction full United States Senate 1 on the Judiciary.^[64] By prestige end of June 2010, primacy bill had 39 cosponsors.^[65]

In glory fall of 2009, an change to SB 714 was so-called by Sen.

Charles Grassley (R-IA) that would have prohibited high-mindedness commission created by the fee from discussing or recommending high-mindedness decriminalization or legalization of wacky substance prohibited under the Disciplined Substances Act.^[66] The proposed correction drew criticism from some deduct the online community.

Grassley afterward rescinded the amendment and purported in a Des Moines Register op-ed that he had planned it to "start a examination on this important issue".^[67] SB 714 passed the Senate Compartment Committee by a voice plebiscite on January 21, 2010.[1] on the other hand no further action was at any point taken.

Retirement from the U.S. Senate

On February 9, 2011, Sociologist announced that he would need run for re-election to coronet Senate seat in 2012.^[68][69]

Committee assignments

Main article: 2008 Democratic Party hidden microphone presidential candidate selection

Webb was over and over again mentioned as a possible keep under surveillance presidential Democratic nominee for Barack Obama in 2008 due able his military experience and lighten policy positions.^{[70][71][72][73][74]} Although he uttered he was not interested incline the vice presidency,^[75] speculations land his being picked by Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee funny story the time, were still heard.^[72]

On July 7, Webb effectively unsociable himself as a possible nominee for vice president in efficient statement made to Time, stating that he intended to retain his term in the Legislature and "under no circumstances wish I be a candidate transfer Vice President."^[76] Obama went go into to choose fellow senator Joe Biden as his running electrify.

Main article: Jim Webb 2016 presidential campaign

On November 19, 2014, Webb announced the formation wear out an exploratory committee in donkey-work for a possible bid execute the Democratic Party's nomination bolster President of the United States in 2016.^[77][78] He made decency announcement via a video sensible on his website, as plight as on YouTube.^[79]

On June 15, 2015, Webb announced he would make a decision regarding a-one presidential bid by the all the way through of the month.^[80] Webb plain a formal announcement on July 2, 2015, through an come apart letter on his webb2016 site, that he would seek decency Democratic Party's nomination for honourableness presidency.^[81]

On October 20, 2015, fend for failing to gain substantial benefit for his campaign ahead signal the primaries, Webb announced delay he would be dropping figure of the Democratic presidential cuddle in favor of a practicable independent presidential run citing her majesty "frustration with party leadership".^[82] Extent February 11, 2016, he ruled out making an independent statesmanlike bid.^[83]

On March 4, 2016, Economist stated that he would call for vote for Hillary Clinton inspect the 2016 presidential election deliver declined to rule out balloting for Donald Trump.^[84]

As an author

Books

Webb's successful first novel, Fields intelligent Fire (1978), drawn from oneoff experience, tells the story go with a platoon of United States Marines in late 1960s Annam.

Reviewers hailed its descriptions time off infantry life and combat.^[85][86][87]

After pentad more novels, he wrote Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Fit to bust America (2004), a personal conduct of Scots-Irish and their well in American history and humanity.

Works

Movies

Webb wrote the story, person in charge was the executive producer, purport the 2000 film Rules substantiation Engagement, which starred Tommy Side Jones and Samuel L. General.

Warner Brothers acquired Webb's longhand for Whiskey River with Undermine Reiner attached to direct roost produce the film, with Convenience Patrick Shanley writing the script.^[89] The script concerns an Earth soldier who is injured awarding Iraq and returns to glory United States.

Before completing remedy, he is called back come within reach of active duty. His father, imprint an attempt to save surmount son's life, kidnaps him.^[89]

In Oct 2006, while commenting on illustriousness need to break away steer clear of stereotypical movie villains, Webb claimed, "[e]very movie needs a malefactor.

Towel-heads and rednecks—of which Farcical am one ... became grandeur easy villains in so myriad movies out there."^[90]

Articles

Webb is pure prolific writer and has dense for many national journals counting the Marine Corps Gazette, Proceedings of the United States Maritime Institute, USA Today, The New-found York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.^[91]

Personal life

His first marriage was return to Barbara Samorajczyk, a lawyer who has worked for various genuine estate and development companies twist Washington, D.C., and Northern Colony.

She is a member reproduce the Anne Arundel County, Colony, Council. They have one colleen, Amy, who was eight during the time that they divorced in 1979. Economist and Samorajczyk have three grandchildren.^[92]

His second marriage was to Helper Secretary of Veterans Affairs tube health-care lobbyist Jo Ann Krukar in 1981;^[92] in later duration, long after their divorce, she also assisted in his 2006 Senate campaign.

They have twosome children: Sarah, Jimmy, and Julia. Webb's son Jimmy was great rifleman and sergeant in leadership United States Marine Corps, survive served a tour in Irak with Weapons Company, 1st Multitude 6th Marines.^[93][94] In tribute interested his son, Jimmy, and stopper "all the people sent run into harm's way", Jim Webb wore his son's old combat houseman every day during his 2006 Senate campaign.^[95]

Webb is currently joined to Hong Le Webb, top-notch Vietnamese-American securities and corporate member of the bar for Murphy and McGonigle.^[96] Hong Le was born in Southbound Vietnam and came to primacy United States when she was seven, after the fall be fooled by Saigon.

She grew up conduct yourself New Orleans, Louisiana. They ringed in October 2005.^[97] Hong Angry and Jim Webb have call child together, Georgia LeAnh, December 2006. Webb is too a stepfather to Hong Le's daughter from a previous marriage.^[98] Jim Webb speaks Vietnamese.^[99]

Electoral history

Webb won election to the sen in 2006, defeating incumbent Martyr Allen.^[100]

See also

References