Reagan Navy Secretary Will Run for U.S. Senate

"It's no secret that I'm not a person who wears a bridle well," Webb told reporters at the time.

In 1994, Webb endorsed Sen. Charles S. Robb (D-Va.) for reelection over retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, calling North a chronic liar. Six years later, Webb switched sides, endorsing Allen, the man he now hopes to beat. At the time, Webb said Allen was "better on issues of national security" than Robb was.

Webb declined to talk Tuesday about a Democratic battle between himself and Miller. "That's something that will have to be addressed. That's all to come," he said, adding that he will roll out his campaign after having surgery on his hand, scheduled for Friday.

Webb has been the subject of an aggressive political draft effort on the Internet at http://www.draftjameswebb.com/ , which claims more than 999 signatures on his behalf.

The Raising Kaine blog, a Virginia Democratic site, lists dozens of comments urging Webb to campaign against Allen.

"PLEASE RUN!!!" says an entry from Herndon. "Virginia needs you, the country needs you. We need to restore sanity and integrity to Congress."

A comment from Alexandria said: "When the pundits and critics point out that you aren't a 'real' Democrat, just paraphrase Ronald Reagan and say: 'I didn't leave the Republican Party. They left me.' "

Steve Jarding, who managed former governor Mark R. Warner's campaign in 2001, said he had met with Webb several times in the past few weeks.

"He's fearless and a tremendously exciting candidate," Jarding said. "I'm unbelievably impressed with him. He's got the perfect profile to run against George Allen."

Jarding said Webb's story -- a decorated Republican veteran turned Democrat -- is compelling enough to help Democrats defeat Allen.

"This is Ronald Reagan's secretary of the Navy saying, 'The Democratic Party is closer to my ideals,' " Jarding said. "This is the genuine, real deal."