If Ronald Reagan were alive today he'd take Webb's head off. Of course since there's nothing in the head it wouldn't do much harm. Webb is a loser all the way around and if the people of Va elect him then it is to their shame. Kind of like joining WVa in electing the KKK and dipshi* Rockefeller.

What's the source for the "bad terms" Reagan and Webb break-up? I keep hearing this on partisan conservative blogs, but my understanding of the historical record is otherwise. At least in Reagan's letter to Webb in the Reagan archives, there's is no indication of a "bad terms" break-up.

"Dear Jim:

It is with regret that I accept your resignation as Secretary of the Navy, effective February 22, 1988.

During the past four years, you have served our country with honor and courage, just as you have throughout your distinguished career. As my first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, you played a major role in revitalizing the reserve components of our Armed Forces. You were instrumental in restoring confidence and pride in one of our most noble national traditions -- the concept of the American citizen-soldier.

Since taking the helm a year ago as Secretary of the Navy, you continued to press forward the highest standards of excellence throughout the Navy and Marine Corps. From the most remote outposts to the lecture halls of Annapolis, your commitment to the quality of our military capability and the well-being of our men and women in uniform has been undivided.

As your service to this Administration comes to a close, I want to thank you for the selflessness and loyalty that you have always personified. In the end, it is these qualities that will ensure that freedom endures in this generation and in every generation to come.

Godspeed in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
February 23, 1988

Source:
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1988/022388b.htm

Concerning the Webb ad: there is absolutely nothing negative in the ad. Ed Meese, who has a few Iran Contra skeletons in his own closet, wrote what purports to be Miss Nancy's letter, calling the ad "negative." He is wrong, and this leads me to suspect Mrs. Reagan never saw the ad, knows nothing about it, except what Meese and Allen may (finally) have told her.

The Reagan speech is public record, nothing is made up, no photoshopping was done (unlike so many Republicans' ads I have seen). Frankly, I believe the ad is completely A-okay and those reporters who pretend it will redound to Mr. Webb's discredit are only mouthing Republican talking points, hoping if they repeat it often enough it will become so. Do you suppose Mrs. Reagan has given a written permission slip to every one of those other candidates who keep trotting out the Great Republican Icon to prop up their own campaigns? George Allen has done so on his web site, by the way.

This too shall pass, folks. Get ready to deal with a tsunami of sludge from the desperate Allen campaign, none of which will be factual and all of which will be negative.

Reagan wrote glowing exit letters for virtually everyone who ever worked for him - including several who left under indictment or investigation. He was a nice, classy guy. He would never stoop to getting into a public pissing match with someone, expecially some low-level schmuck like Webb, who began trashing Reagan as he walked out the door and continued at least until GWB was elected. Then he would say something nice about Reagan occasionally so he could compare Bush unfavorably.

I do see how these concepts would be entirely foreign to people who would support the likes of Webb, though.

No, Mrs. Reagan hasn't objected to the many other uses of the President's image and words by candidates of both parties. That's because the others who attempted to latch onto the Reagan legacy hadn't spent decades slandering him. The ad carries an implied endorsement, which is completely misleading.

That the elderly widow would suddenly object to this ad, joined by the old friend of RR, Ed Meese, might give you an indication of what the Gipper's private opinion of Webb was.

As I note in the update to the stem post, I have heard from more than one source that Nancy Reagan and/or the Reagan Library has regularly objected to the use of the President's image or video in campaign ads from both parties.

If this turns out to be true, I amend the preceding assertion and acknowledge error. There certainly have been many uses of the Reagan image which were not protested, though, in any event.

OK....I know how little facts mean to the new era Karl Rove type of republican Jim, but where did you get the idea that Webb resigned because he wanted to CUT the military??

Just asking, because unlike most people in the present administration, (and more than likely most of you neocons who post here), I actually served in the military during the period that Webb was the secnav....and that ain't the way I remember it.

But I was not surprised that you boys decided to attack Webb. I mean he was a Naval Acadamy grad, served as a Marine in Vietnam, and was awarded the Navy Cross for bravery in combat among other awards. I KNOW how you neocon types hate this type of person....hell...he probably doesn't even have a bumper sticker on his car saying "support the troops".