Jim Webb Announces He's Running for President

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia announced today that he is running for president.

The Falls Church-area resident launched an exploratory committee to run for president back in November. He joins fellow Democrats former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former U.S. senator and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee in the race.

Webb announced in 2011 his retirement from the U.S. Senate after one term. The former U.S. Navy secretary (during the Reagan administration) and Vietnam veteran revealed his plans on a new Web site, Webb2016:

Dear friends:

After many months of thought, deliberation and discussion, I have decided to seek the office of the Presidency of the United States.

I understand the odds, particularly in today’s political climate where fair debate is so often drowned out by huge sums of money. I know that more than one candidate in this process intends to raise at least a billion dollars – some estimates run as high as two billion dollars – in direct and indirect financial support. Highly paid political consultants are working to shape the “messaging” of every major candidate.

But our country needs a fresh approach to solving the problems that confront us and too often unnecessarily divide us. We need to shake the hold of these shadow elites on our political process. Our elected officials need to get back to the basics of good governance and to remember that their principal obligations are to protect our national interests abroad and to ensure a level playing field here at home, especially for those who otherwise have no voice in the corridors of power. And at the same time our fellow Americans need proven, experienced leadership that can be trusted to move us forward from a new President’s first days in office.

I believe I can offer both.

Read the rest of his announcement letter here.

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, widely seen as a frontrunner if she decides to run, 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. She was the headliner at Virginia Democrats’ Jefferson Jackson Dinner at George Mason University last week.

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: Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb from campaign Web site