Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb to Give Foreign Policy Speech at GMU

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who has made it known he is considering a run for the White House, is scheduled to deliver a foreign policy address Thursday morning at the Arlington campus of George Mason University.

Webb will deliver his speech at 10:30 a.m. at George Mason University’s Founders Hall, Room 111, 3351 Fairfax Drive in Arlington. The event is sponsored by the Financial Times, George Mason University’s School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs, and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Advanced Governmental Studies.

Seating is limited. You can RSVP to Robert Guttman, director of the Center for Politics and Foreign Relations, SPGIA, George Mason University at rguttman@gmu.edu or 703-993-7708

On Wednesday, former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island was expected to announce a run for the presidency at George Mason University.

Webb has been visiting states that are strategic for anyone running for president and appearing on news programs to discuss his ideas on how to move the country forward. The Falls Church area resident launched a 2016 presidential exploratory committee in November.

Webb announced his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 2011, after one term.

The former U.S. Navy secretary (during the Reagan administration) and Vietnam veteran revealed his plans for the presidential exploratory committee on his Twitter account: “A message from Jim Webb,” with a link to his plans on a Web site, www.webb2016.com:

Dear Friends:

I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to ask you to consider the most important question facing America today: Is it possible that our next President could actually lay out a vision for the country, and create an environment where leaders from both parties and from all philosophies would feel compelled to work together for the good of the country, despite all of the money and political pressure that now demands they disagree?

Later in the four-page letter, he states:

In that spirit I have decided to launch an Exploratory Committee to examine whether I should run for President in 2016. I made this decision after reflecting on numerous political commentaries and listening to many knowledgeable people. I look forward to listening and talking with more people in the coming months as I decide whether or not to run.

Go here to read the entire letter.

James Henry Webb, Jr. 68, is a native of St. Joseph, Mo. He has quite a varied background: He attended the University of Southern California on a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship from 1963–1964. In 1964, Webb earned appointment to the United States Naval Academyin Annapolis, Maryland.

First in his class of 243 at the Marine Corps Officer’s Basic School, he served as a rifle platoon and company commander in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1975. The author of 10 books, he won an Emmy for his coverage in 1983 of U.S. Marines in Beirut. He is the father of six children and is married to lawyer Hong Le Webb, his third wife. He speaks Vietnamese.

Hillary Clinton, who has announced she is running for president, is no stranger to Virginia, with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe both a personal friend who has helped run and finance campaigns for the Clintons. Clinton campaigned for McAuliffe last year in Falls Church at a rally at the State Theatre.

Clinton is scheduled to headline an event for the Virginia Democratic Party on June 26 at the Patriot Center on the main campus of George Mason University in Fairfax.

Virginia has become a crucial swing state in the presidential election, going for President Obama in the last two elections after many years of voting for Republican presidential nominees. Obama won Virginia in 2012 with 51.15 percent of the vote.

Webb barely won his U.S. Senate bid in 2006 with.5 percent margin of the vote against politically wounded incumbent George Allen.

PHOTO: Official Senate photo of former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb