Webb balked at a background check

[wyldwolf]

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/obamas_team_begins_to_vet.php

[Olney Blue]

1. I read it differently- he balked at getting into another campaign because

he wants to serve in the Senate.

[elocs]

2. If he's not interested, why would he want to be vetted?

What's the point?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. oh shit ! I didn't know Richardson didn't like the Kerry background check !!!

[DFLforever]

4. If that's true, it means he probably wouldn't make it through

Obama's vetting either.

[MilesColtrane]

5. He has no interest in the job. Hence his refusal.

General Clark's stock just went up a bit more.

[ShaneGR]

6. Seriously, he's been vetted 20-fold... he ran for the US Senate in Virginia....

He just doesn't want to be VP.

[papapi]

7. I don't believe that. Webb is a man if integrity. Who else do you know...

who has refused to shake shrub's hand?

[MonkeyFunk]

8. He also refused to shake John Kerry's hand for 20 years

That's not proof of integrity.

[TwilightGardener]

10. He did? Why? Did it have to do with Kerry's Vietnam testimony?

Didn't realize Webb could be such a jerk.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. Yes

because of Kerry's anti-Vietnam war activities.

He also endorsed Allen over Chuck Robb in 2000. And he claimed to become a Republican after Carter's pardon of the draft-evaders.

Why he gets so much love here, I'll never understand.

[ellacott]

12. He also had positions when he was Navy Secy. that put him at odds with women's groups

He felt women couldn't handle combat. He' spent years trying to clarify his position and he still has problems with this with some women.

If Allen didn't have his Macaca moment Webb probably wouldn't have won. He won by a close margin.

[Hippo_Tron]

9. He balked at being considered, that's how it works

The candidate narrows it down to a number of finalists and then asks them to allow the committee to vet them if they want to be considered. They either accept it or reject it. Nobody tells the candidate they don't want to be considered before they are asked about it. To do so would be presumptuous and arrogant.