Former Senator Jim Webb Announces Presidential Bid: Does He Have What It Takes To Win?

Former Virgina Senator Jim Webb announced his bid for the US presidency recently, pitting himself against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I understand the odds, particularly in today's political climate where fair debate is so often drowned out by huge sums of money," his announcement went on his blog. "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," he continued.

"We need a President who understands leadership, who has a proven record of actual accomplishments, who can bring about bipartisan solutions, who can bring people from both sides to the table to get things done," he went on to explain. "And that leader needs to gather the great minds of our society and bring them into a new Administration and give them direction and ask them to help us solve the monumental challenges that face us."

The decorated Vietnam veteran and democrat is seen as a threat to Clinton's candidacy, as his voice could "put Hillary Rodham Clinton on the defensive in debates for her 2002 vote in the Senate authorizing the use of force in Iraq," The New York Times noted. He had previously warned prior to the war that "there is no exit strategy" should the US push on with the invasion.

"While he is likely to be a part of the Democratic presidential debates that will feature Mrs. Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland, in many ways his résumé is better suited to a third-party run because of his independent streak," the news source opined.

Currently, Webb is behind 2% in the national polls, in a tie with ex-Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, Fox News said. As such, he still has much to do in order to put himself in a more favorable position in the eyes of the American citizens.

Recently, he had drawn some controversy after showing support for the Confederate flag in the wake of the Charleston church massacre last month. This is reportedly "in contrast to both Republicans and Democrats who said the flag was an outdated symbol that needed to be retired," as pointed out by NY Times.

Additionally, his pro-firearm stance appears to be contrary to the Democratic Party's thrust toward gun control.

Will you vote for Jim Webb? Let us know.

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