The Patriot Post® · Can Jim Webb Corner Hillary?

Jim Webb’s presidential announcement went off like an Independence Day dud. In a presidential primary filled with competing names, who thought that announcing on a holiday weekend was a good idea? Granted, Webb’s horse race is less vigorous, as he’s running as a Democrat. “Our elected officials need to get back to the basics of good governance,” Webb said in his announcement, “and to remember that their principal obligations are to protect our national interests abroad and to ensure a level playing field here at home, especially for those who otherwise have no voice in the corridors of power. And at the same time our fellow Americans need proven, experienced leadership that can be trusted to move us forward from a new President’s first days in office. I believe I can offer both.” The Vietnam veteran, author and one-term senator is different enough to challenge the policies of both Hillary Clinton and socialist Bernie Sanders. Oh, did we mention Webb served as secretary of the Navy for none other than Ronald Reagan? While the Democrat Party is beating out the progressive march, Webb is marching to the backbeat: He’s pro-Second Amendment, and he recently defended the display of the Confederate flag. National Review’s Rich Lowry calls Webb an “old-school Jacksonian-style Democrat.” He has little chance of overtaking Clinton, of course, but let’s be honest: His candidacy, as well as those of Lincoln Chaffee, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders, is to create the appearance of a primary challenge to Hillary’s coronation.