Jim Webb as Obama's VP

[blocker]

I feel like he would be the best candidate to be Obama's vp, there's also a great article on it have a read if you feel like it

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dylan-loewe/why-jim-webb-should-be-ob_b_86803.html

he would aslo be great debater:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTiuYCZ9Xiw

what do you guys think?

[Olney Blue]

1. I like it.

[sandnsea]

2. I'm not a Webb fan, but

I think he'd be the best choice too. From Virginia, against the war from the start, against global domination, economic populist, administration experience, he'd be good I think.

[caledesi]

11. I agree! NT

[gateley]

3. I've always liked that idea. For Hillary, too, should she get the nom.

And I can't let a VP post go by without throwing in Barbara Boxer's name....

[skipos]

4. Webb isn't perfect, but I am not sure anyone is.

He was a great fighter in the 06 campaign, that is for sure. The military experience is good. VA's 13 evs would be nice.

[Eric J in MN]

12. North Carolina's electoral votes in 2004 would have been nice,

...but Kerry-Edwards didn't get them.

56-44 for Bush in North Carolina that year.

[gateley]

14. I hope we're going to deliver this time... nt

[skipos]

18. I assume you haven't looked at the partisan voting index for NC and VA?

No one in their right mind would think Edwards had a shot at carrying NC in a close election. VPs get often get @ a 5% boost in their homestate, and NC has been trending red, a solid +13% Repub in 96 and 00. VA has been trending blue. Not that VA would be a cakewalk, but there is a VERY big difference between NC and VA.

Here are the PVIs for 88, 92, 96, 00 and 04...

Virginia: 13r, 92 10r, 10r, 9r, 6r
North Carolina: 9r, 6r, 13r, 13r, 10r (Edwards got a 3% boost)

[Eric J in MN]

Rasmussen poll of VA: McCain 49% Obama 44%.

With that 5 point boost you refer to for having a VP from the state, they're tied.

[skipos]

34. SUSA Poll of VA: Obama 51%, McCain 45% (Feb 19)

I don't think we need to get into poll wars about this. The fact of the matter is that Webb would put VA in play, if it isn't already in play. That means at the very least grandpa McCain will need to spend money in a state that Repubs have won since the LBJ landslide.

Don't you think that is a bonus to Webb as VP? It wouldn't be the only reason I would pick him though.

[Eric J in MN]

35. Yes, the fact that Jim Webb would make VA close is an argument for him.

However, he can't guarantee his state, and I've been having doubts about what he stands for (and what kind of president he would be if being VP led to that) since he voted for retroactive immunity for phone companies.

That vote was against civil liberties and civil justice and undermines the rule of law.

[Thrill]

5. He has to be the pick. I've said that for a while

He brings a state with him, He has foreign policy experience, and he can be an attack dog. He is perfect for Obama

[TwilightGardener]

10. What foreign policy experience? Obama actually has more.

[sandnsea]

15. Here

It's actually more than I had thought, quite an interesting career and life.

http://www.jameswebb.com/about.htm

[TwilightGardener]

20. I'm not seeing much FP experience. Military creds, yes, but

otherwise, the rest of his resume is interesting but slim, in terms of assuming the Presidency--military officer's careers are always made to sound more impressive than they actually are--I know, I'm married to one. We don't need TWO guys with slim resumes, two freshmen Senators, IMO. I think people are attracted to Webb's military experience and his persona, but beyond that, I don't see where he has much to offer a candidate that will take a rap for little experience. I am not totally opposed to Webb, just opposed to people gravitating towards him without vetting.

[gateley]

30. More impressive than I thought -- wow. nt

[earthlover]

29. Webb has a LOT of foreign policy expeience:Secretary of Navy...Assistant Secretary of Defense for

Reserve Affairs under Reagan.

I like his fighting spirit.

The downside, he won Virginia by the slimmest of margins....it was after 4AM before we saw he won (I stayed up happily). This was largely due to his opponent's "Macaca moment" rather than the strength of Webb's campaign. Webb's performance on the debates was sporatic to be generous. I listened to one where Webb simply didn;t have an answer for one of the questions. I mean that literally! He didn't even attempt the answer. I was dumb founded.

I think Webb's heart is in the right place. However, I think we need him in the Senate. I think he is going to make a great senator.

My choice for Obama's VP is the guy who persuaded Webb to run. that would be Wes Clark.

[TwilightGardener]

32. That's not foreign policy, that's defense--two separate things. It's good experience, however, and

we could certainly use it. I agree, Webb is a spotty performer, and not very careful. He's an interesting guy, and he'll make a great Senator, but the first rule of VP is "do no harm". I don't know about ol' Wes--I don't think Obama will reward him. Just my sense.

[Eric J in MN]

6. Webb's vote in favor of retroactive immunity for phone companies gives me pause.

He wouldn't guarantee VA, which wasn't even close in 2004 (Bush 54 and Kerry 46).

[gateley]

19. They all have votes we absolutely disagree with -

except maybe for Boxer... Not saying it's okay, but...

His support and introduction of veterans' rights legislation is very impressive, and he voted AGAINST Kyl/Lieberman, which is very important in my book. One of his sons also served in Iraq, which brings creds IMO.

[dkf]

7. Webb would be PERFECT for Obama.

He would be a great point man on national defense. I'm getting shivers thinking of how incredible this team would be.

[TwilightGardener]

8. Very little foreign policy experience, only a Senate freshman, wrote some books

that can come back to haunt us, is on wife number three. Not sure if he would be a help or a hindrance. 10 months as Sec of the Navy 20 years ago is a pretty distant achievement.

[From The Left]

17. About the same experience as John Kennedy

[TwilightGardener]

22. Uh, no. Kennedy had much more elected experience than Webb, and

we've already got ONE freshmen Senator--two on the same ticket is going to be hard to gloss over.

[skipos]

31. I hear what you are saying but

his bio sounds impressive to me, his campaign was impressive and he doesn't take shit from anyone. Does he vote the way I like all the time, no. Would he be attacked for being a freshmen senator, sure. But that is more DC experience than many other presidents and vps. I don;t know much abouot Webb's marriages, but do you think that McCain ink really wants to get into a rehash of past marriages? Just so you know, I am not sure Webb is the one.

[gristy]

9. I really like this part about his credentials

Webb served as Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan

[TwilightGardener]

13. Jack Reed. Also a military guy, a very smart West Point and Harvard grad,

opposed the war and voted against it, much more legislative/political experience than Webb, not a loose cannon, sits on the Armed Services and Banking committees (thus has both national security AND economic creds), is the perfect age, has a nice Catholic family (good for PA/OH).

[gateley]

21. I was wondering who you were leaning toward --

I'm not familiar with Jack Reed, I'm embarrassed to admit. I'll go check him out.

I learn SO MUCH on DU! :hi:

[TwilightGardener]

25. ...

:hi:

[From The Left]

16. I think Webb could work

Or Gen. Tony Zinni.

[blocker]

27. So we all agree he needs someone with military experience?

Same goes for Clinton i also think, she's got absolutely no credential on anything military

[Eric J in MN]

33. I don't. I would be fine with an Obama/Edwards ticket.

I know that John Edwards may not accept, etc., but I'm giving that as an example.

I want a VP who would make a good president more than I care about military experience.

[Alexander]

23. Terrible idea. He wrote an article called "Women Can't Fight". He really IS a sexist.

[RiverStone]

24. I like Webb but have a concern...

Who would run to replace him in the VA. Senate?

I'd hate to lose anything there.

Though outside of that question, he would be an excellent choice - so would Wes Clark.

[Unsane]

26. Some passages from his war novels scare me away.

E.g. the 'penis in mouth' passage.

[TwilightGardener]

28. We're going to hear all about that--I remember that from his VA run. And it's icky.

[skipos]

37. I thought that incident was a fact

Is it wrong to write about facts when they are gross or unpleasant?

[mmonk]

36. I don't care for him but he is on the short list

and works well politically.

[Hawaii Hiker]

38. Actually, I wouldn't want this because,

I hate to lose that Democratic seat in a rather red state.....It'e hard enough to get Democratic senators in red/purple states as it is, I kinda like to keep Webb, Brown (OH), etc. in the senate....

I'd prefer Richardson, Edwards, Clinton.....