"I fully accept that my views on many issues are not compatible with the power structure and the nominating base of the Democratic Party."
— Jim Webb (@JimWebbUSA) October 20, 2015
Jim Webb has officially dropped out of the Democrat presidential race while mulling an independent bid.
Americans are disgusted by all this talk of Republicans & Democrats calling each other the enemy instead of finding ways to work together.
— Jim Webb (@JimWebbUSA) October 20, 2015
Webb, along with Martin O’Malley, has expressed deep frustration over the Democrat primary process and debate system so far. Everyone not named Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders has had a difficult time getting any attention from the Democrat National Committee, which seems intent on ramming Clinton through to the nomination.
"…For this reason I am withdrawing from any consideration of being the Democratic Party’s nominee for the Presidency." #WebbNation
— Jim Webb (@JimWebbUSA) October 20, 2015
Rumors are swirling that current Vice President Joe Biden is about to announce his candidacy, so the Democrat field will become even more difficult for Webb, O’Malley and others.
How this can benefit Webb:
Webb, who served as head of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, switched to the Democrat party in protest over the second Iraq War. Foreign policy is by far the one-term Virginia Senator’s main strength.
By detaching himself from the socialist kooks in the DNC, Webb can begin to play up his Reagan credentials and pro-military posture to attract libertarians and moderate Conservatives. In the end, Webb plays more like an old Southern Democrat or what has been called “Blue Dog” Democrats since the party’s seizure by Leftist radicals in 2008.
How this can hurt Webb:
De-coupling from a political party means that party’s operational machine is no longer available. As hard as its been for the Webb and Co. to get the Dems to provide free media time by way of debates, Webb will be completely cutoff from that opportunity and will struggle to get media attention.
Webb raised under $1 million in September and apparently has less than $400,000 in the bank. He’ll have an even tougher time raising cash without a party affiliation.
Social Reaction
Jim Webb is one of the most honorable and impressive men to ever run a weird, lazy joke of a presidential campaign.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) October 20, 2015
#JimWebb: "I'm pulling out of the presidential race."
Everybody: "You were in it?" pic.twitter.com/3txnlzi1Kk
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Cosby_) October 20, 2015
