Is this man Obama's answer?

[NNN0LHI]

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/jim_webb_obamas_answer_to_mcca.html

Jim Webb: Obama's answer to McCain?

Posted June 22, 2008 8:30 AM

by James Oliphant

The Marines, in full dress uniform, perform their summer drills in silence, flipping their rifles in near-perfect precision in front of the Iwo Jima memorial, illuminated by the glow of sunset.

One man, the guest of honor, stands stock-straight at the center of the pageantry, Marines on both sides, watching as they pass.

Order. Precision. Tradition. Just across the Potomac River from his Senate office, this is Jim Webb's world.

The first-term senator from Virginia has built a life around a deep love for the military. His sons have followed him, with one serving in the Marines in Iraq.

"It's very personal to us," Webb would say later of that evening.

[Faygo Kid]

1. He wouldn't shake Bush's hand. That got my vote right there.

I like him a lot. He's not perfect. None are. But he's tough. Great choice.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. He also refused to shake John Kerry's hand...

for 20 years. Is that just as respectable?

[rox63]

10. But they eventually got past that

He and Kerry have shaken hands, and Kerry endorsed Webb in 2006.

[MonkeyFunk]

14. yes, 20 years later

I don't find Webb's position admirable.

[keta11]

2. I really dont get all the adoration this guy Webb is getting!

Giant killer, yes.

But the guy is reticent (not engaging) and an extremely poor campaigner on the stump.

[Clark2008]

3. No - because it will mean one less seat to have to fight for in the Senate.

No Senators! We need all Dem hands on-deck as we try to turn this thing around.

He needs to pick someone not currently serving. My selection below... or Richardson or even Kaine (who can't serve as governor for two consecutive terms thanks to some arcane Virgina law).

[Faygo Kid]

11. Kaine would appoint a Dem, and Virginia is turning blue.

[Clark2008]

13. Turning, but not solid.

It would still be a battle in the Shenandoah Valley.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

4. I have no problem with Webb but I have to question the Trib's motives.

Off-topic a bit but this morning I got so pissed at their editorial on the FISA bill I crumbled up the whole section and pitched it across the room.

[BrotherBuzz]

5. Jim Webb carries some misogyny baggage

Albeit from from the past, but Women (and progressive men) could be persuaded to dislike him when the smear campaign ala Swiftboat inc. is launched.

[proud patriot]

6. the more I learn about Webb

the more I like him

[Adelante]

7. I like a lot about Jim Webb

I sent money for his Senate race and was happy he won.

But.

He is not one to stay on the reservation. Witness his stepping up the other day to co-sponsor legislation on offshore drilling in Virginia at the very time Obama's strongly pushing against offshore drilling. Webb may be too independent for VP. Obama needs someone he can rely on and trust. Webb is a man of integrity, but may be too loose a cannon.

[Radical Activist]

8. Or he's the manchurian candidate.

[Rex]

12. Well at least somewhere they can stay professionals.

Most political creatures wouldn't know the first thing about be professional - criminal, yes.

[Hekate]

15. I'm drawn more to Wes Clark's urbanity, but it occurs to me that crude LBJ "balanced" the smooth JFK

...when the Dems put them on the same ticket.

Not to say that Webb is crude, but he has a more rugged aura. Maybe that's what the strategists are looking for to balance the ticket with our charismatic professor.

I dunno. I just hope to all the gods that we get 8 years of an Obama presidency.

Hekate