Virginia, On My Mind

Virginia’s Augusta Free Press has my latest column, “Virginia, On My Mind,” about the Allen-Webb race focus on alleged decades old slurs. The column is below.

Today’s Washington Post editorial treats the slur allegations seriously, but ends on a similar note to mine: “We hope the present discussion won't drown out a broader debate about what each candidate would seek to accomplish as a senator.”

Virginia, on my mind

Guest View

Bruce Kesler

The Augusta Free Press


Even though I'm across the country, in San Diego, the Senate race in Virginia has been on my mind. I'm disappointed that the news of the race has been about which candidate allegedly spoke which slurs decades ago, rather than discussion of the literally life and death issues at stake in whether and how to successfully complete stabilizing a less threatening key MidEast player, Iraq.

Both candidates seem to have lost sight of this issue. Perhaps it's the dynamic of their supporters and opponents having at each other. But, either candidate can and should disown such distracters, and neither has. So, it seems more likely that both candidates don't see much to gain from engaging much on Iraq, as most minds are settled, and vote-affecting events there are really entirely out of their hands.

So, since the candidates have, in effect, chosen to engage on the field of slurs, either directly or through their surrogates, that is what we're left with to judge them by. Although one or the other may be more correct or less egregious in their campaign's behavior, the point here is not to judge which but rather to say that neither has risen to the challenge of stature one would hope for from a candidate.

By the content and tenor of their campaigns so far, both have exhibited a disregard for another key issue that concerns Americans of good faith: How do we reduce the divides among us, to be a more civil and unified citizenry, decent, considerate and purposeful, to accomplish needed chores at home and defense abroad?

For disclosure, I'm ordinarily a Republican, and am friends with George Allen's Internet coordinator. Allen's strong record of sound stewardship and accomplishment led me to expect more of his campaign. I think he's simply been caught short by the vituperative path taken by Jim Webb's campaign, largely based upon the efforts of Leftist Internet insurgents, as witnessed by Allen only recently appointing an Internet coordinator. Nonetheless, to redeem himself, Allen must take strong charge in demanding of his and his opponent's campaign a higher standard of debate of issues.

For disclosure, as a Vietnam Marine, one who has often said I'd follow any Marine officer anywhere, and who developed deep respect for Webb's outspoken, ornery iconoclasm, I expected a clear integrity in debating issues. Instead, I think, Webb has been caught up in the web of his supporters' radical angriness, tearing down opponents at any cost, and is tossing away his well-earned reputation, because of his ambition. Webb does not have a record of responsible governance and statesmanship, like Allen's. To redeem himself and demonstrate he's up to the requirements of office as a United States senator, Webb must disown the radicals in his entourage and demand of himself issue-oriented seriousness.

At least, that's the way it looks to me from across the country, Virginia on my mind.


Bruce Kesler is a regular contributor to The Augusta Free Press. The views expressed by op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect those of management of The Augusta Free Press.

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(Published 09-29-06)