Getting to Know Jim Webb

[wyldwolf]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1813705,00.html

He has written a book, A Time to Fight, that may be the best evocation of the 21st century Democratic Party's emerging style and philosophy. In the process, the Senator bids a not-too-fond adieu to the hapless late-20th century Democrats—at least those who made "interest-group rights" a higher priority than the economic well-being of the middle class ... and especially those who disdained or didn't take time to understand the U.S. military.

Webb is an avatar of the Democrats' new populism, a theme that has had great resonance on the campaign trail this year. There is some danger here. Populism too often devolves into snake oil: nativism, isolationism and protectionism—none of which are viable positions in a global economy. But we have seen an unprecedented period of untrammeled wealth-accumulation in this country, and Webb makes a convincing pitch that the fabric of society is being shredded by greed. "It is not class warfare ... to point out that economic inequities persist," he writes. "In fact, the reverse is true: it is class warfare from the top down to pretend that such inequities don't matter." Webb's world is an eclectic concoction—move to the right by neutralizing the Republican advantage on military issues; move to the left by sending the pendulum back in the direction of economic equity; move to the center by replacing an ideological foreign policy with enlightened pragmatism. These are important insights—and far too zesty, I'd guess, to be vice presidential.

By Joe Klein.

Hey, Joe - why is that too zesty to be vice presidential?

[underpants]

1. Wow Joe Klein doesn't like populism

what a shocker

Klein must be an idiot because what Webb is talking about is pertaining to the potential for civil unrest should wage disparity become too great (it is) or if the masses become aware of it. Webb views things through a military/security perspective in that the first thing you have to do is calm/control the environment and you must constantly assess and revisit this basic element of governance. This is, by the way Joe, the first objective of those who govern...to continue governing and civil unrest is the #1 sure-fire way to lose your position at the top.

Why is Klein employed?

[wyldwolf]

5. well, I think Klein is referring to populism in other times

He does say Webb makes a good point with his brand of populism.

[BeyondGeography]

2. I guess he sees VP as some sort of adoring spouse role

Like, err, Dick Cheney.

[jefferson_dem]

3. JokeLine is a clown. He identifies exactly why Webb should be on the ticket ...

in order to rationalize why why he won't be on the ticket. Whatever.

Nice to see you around again, wyldwolf.

[wyldwolf]

4. we're on the same team, now.

I guess the biggest conflict now will be who's on the ticket with Obama.

I lean Hillary with Webb a close second.

[greguganus]

6. "Getting to know Joe Webb"...now I got Julie Andrews singing in my head! n/t