Webb of deception

Milton Copulus:

In this age of political cynicism, it is unremarkable that a politician would change his position on an issue, or even take conflicting positions. But Jim Webb's transformation from the nominally conservative Republican who served as the Reagan administration's secretary of the Navy to a left-wing Democratic Senate candidate rivals St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Divine intervention, of course, is one possibility. A more likely explanation, however, is that the public persona Mr. Webb presents is actually a fabrication, as carefully crafted as any character in the novels he has penned.
The shift is truly remarkable. He once refused to shake John Kerry's hand, and in a 2004 USA Today editorial wrote that his 1971 Senate testimony had "defamed a generation of honorable men." Now he trumpets Mr. Kerry's endorsement. He once called the Clinton Administration among "the most corrupt" in modern history in one of many attacks aimed at the former president. Now he has Bill Clinton host a fundraiser. Mr. Webb served in one of the most conservative administrations in American history. Today, he has embraced the entire agenda of the Democratic Party's far-left wing.
In fairness, Mr. Webb has remained extremely consistent on some issues. One example is his disdain for women in military service. When his 1979 article "Women Can't Fight" and its impact on the treatment of women at the United States Naval Academy became a major campaign issue, Mr. Webb quickly countered with claims that when serving as Secretary of the Navy he "opened up more billets" (e.g. military specialties) to women than any of his predecessors. What he fails to note in heralding this accomplishment was that it occurred under duress.
The truth is that Sens. William Proxmire, William Cohen and John McCain had all informed Mr. Webb that legislation forcing the Navy to open more billets to women would be forthcoming if the action was not taken independently. Moreover, Maryland Rep. Beverly Byron had already introduced legislation (H.R. 3786) that would mandate just such changes. So, the expansion of opportunities for women was not the result of some epiphany, but rather an instance of Mr. Webb simply yielding to congressional pressure.
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The author supports a Vietnam veterans memorial for the women who served. His stronger point though is the embrace of the Kerry support. I will never forget or forgive Kerry's betrayal and insults of those who served in Vietnam.