At first thought, I would love to see VA. Sen. Jim Webb as Obama's VP Choice

[MrScorpio]

- He fits all the spots.

- He would give the ticket a strong national defense angle, as he was once a Navy secretary in during the Reagan Admin.

- Webb also has appeal to rural and southern whites WITHOUT using racist tactics.

- He's a man of honor, something that we haven't had in the number two spot in recent years.

- From the way that they teamed up in the G.I. Bill battle, they get along.

- He's dynamite in debate and would wipe the floor against his Republican counterpart. I'd love to see him destroy the guy that McSame would pick to defend the Bushies war in Iraq.

- Webb's the real deal.


His only drawback to me is that his Senate seat would be up for grabs once he becomes part of an Obama admin and a Republican could fill it in a makeshift election.

Give me some thoughts...

[FSogol]

1. I have the same misgivings about his Senate seat, except don't forget

that Democratic Governor, Tim Kaine will pick his replacement.

[MrScorpio]

3. Well, if that's the case, then I'm rooting for Webb

It's a win-win situation

[uponit7771]

4. bet!!!!!

[hokies4ever]

41. The Senate seat is a non-issue then

but Webb still might have a female voter problem.

[Boz]

2. He doesnt want the spot he wants to MAKE law and cant do that as VP

In addition he is a bit to brusk for the position( I like him by the way because he is so straight forward ) but he would be a bit of a loose cannon not being able to speak his mind in VP and that goes against his personality.

And finally we shouldnt risk another seat, although were going to make a bunch up.

And lastly there has never been two senators running, it really needs to be a governor on balance.

[MrScorpio]

5. That two Senator ticket is also in the back of my mind

Have any idea's for Govs?

[Boz]

24. Im pesonally an Obama/Richardson because of a lot of differrent factors

The biggest 4 being:

1. Geographical, because of the revised map Obama is going to run the plains and southwest are heavy play against McCains 5 state plan.
2. Obama now needs to hedge his bets with a washington connected person to anchor as his liaison, someone whos walked the halls and has some built in relationships, he has alot of that anchor in Kennedy, but thats going to lose a bit of edge with the circumstances
3. Foreign affairs and policy experience.
4. Energy experience

Those are the big ones I think no one can match, then there are a couple of non political issues, hes a pretty good guy, lots of people get along with him or have the impression they could, and hes kind of a bookish dweeb kinda guy, which is what Obama is going to have behind him to let him shine.

Webb and Hillary have the same weakness there, they both shine bright on their own which would upstage and challenge Obama in a way he doesn't need, where as Richardson would be fine back in the shadow a bit.

Just my opinion, I think he bangs on alot of key points more than most, will he be it, I think so, but it may not be.

[Crunchy Frog]

57. He doesn't have a long Senate record, but does have a whole lot of other stuff.

I'd say he doesn't have the liabilities that most senators have, but does have a lot of relavant experience outside the Senate.

[Terran]

8. I don't understand the deal with 'two Senators running'

I keep hearing that; do ordinary people really care or notice that two Senators would be running as a team? and if so, why would they care?

[Boz]

14. Its not as well known or impacting today, but it does matter to most over 45-50

Simply because thats the way it has been, because of the division of the 3 branches.

It is assumed if you take too much from one branch its not balanced.

[Terran]

49. I'm in that age category

and your explanation till makes no sense to me. "Taking too much from one branch"...that seems like real big stretch to me. if it's merely tradition, I suppose that's valid, but still...I doubt 98% of voters even notice something like that.

[DainBramaged]

60. I think once the election is over, Jim Webb will become the Secretary of Defense

and we will have enough of a majority in the House and Senate where we can KICK NOMOJOE out of the party and withstand losing Webb's seat in Virginia, but I think we'll keep it.

[newmajority]

42. History says that it's hard for Senators to move into the executive branch.

We're in an unusual situation this time, where both parties have nominated Senators. But two of them on the ticket would be political suicide. Grandpa McLoon (or his advisers) understand this, and that's why he's been talking to governors. Obama's VP team should be doing the same thing. A vice president would also be possible, but I doubt Al Gore would take the job, and Mondale is electoral poison (and too old) so I don't think he's in either.

Best strategic move is a governor who can potentially flip a bunch of formerly red states. Bill Richardson or Brian Schweitzer could do that in the "Mountain West". I'd be happy with either one of them, but Richardson has the stronger resume, and more name recognition, if that means anything for VP.

[Terran]

47. Not to sound like a child, but WHY is it political suicide?

Why would Joe Smith, independent-minded voter from Kahokia, look at a two-Senator team and think to himself, "Hell no I CAN'T vote for Obama and this other guy--they're both SENATORS! I better vote for Grandpa and Governor Donothing."

[newmajority]

55. You don't need to look any further than the last election (2004)

We should have buried the Chimp. Motherfucker LOSES the 2000 election, then continues to lose people from every branch of conservatism, even in the first term. If you start out behind, and then lose even more numbers, you should be fucked, right?

But no... the DLC forced the nomination THEY wanted, and we got stuck with a two senator ticket. Now this isn't about what anybody thinks of Kerry or Edwards, and I know Ohio was stolen, but the fact remains that it shouldn't have even been remotely close enough to steal.

We absolutely cannot take that chance this time. We have the best candidate in a generation. Let's not cripple his chances before we even get to the goddamn convention. No senators, and for Christ's sake, no Hillary!!

[blonndee]

6. I've been liking him simply for IMAGE.

Obama really needs someone like him, for the reasons you have stated.

One drawback, and I don't know how significant this is, is that repukes could use him to further court Hillary supporters by exploiting his writings about women in the armed forces. I'm not familiar with these writings, but I did see yesterday that he referred to "a horny woman's dream" when describing mixed units, or something like that. That's pretty provocative. I also read that he no longer feels that way, but still.

Is that a big enough "drawback" for him not to be VP? I don't think so. Although I don't know much about him, I can kind of see things through independent/republican eyes to SOME degree, coming from a conservative family. I think he would be VERY appealing to the more moderate among those, who may be hesitant about Obama for being "too liberal"/too soft/too elitist/"not like us."

[Buzz Clik]

7. Webb is the favorite around our house.

[SparkyMac]

9. I hate to see Webb wasted in a figurehead position n/t

[Boz]

30. Exactally, and that and Obamas charisma says it needs to be a bookish personality,that aint Jim Webb

[Cruzan]

10. Any reason you're not picking Wesley Clark?

Some seem to find him ideal, others lukewarm at best.

[Qutzupalotl]

15. Clark criticized Obama

in a way that would be hard for him to backtrack out of now. If he could get around his statements, he would be awesome, but I don't see how he could.

I like Webb too, but he seems to lack a certain luster. My first choice for VP is Joe Biden.

[Cruzan]

19. Do you have a link with direct quotes of Clark's criticisms?

I keep hearing about this but I've never seen the actual words he used.

[Qutzupalotl]

40. Here's a DU thread on it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4959434

As I look at it again, the quotes from Clark aren't too bad. The worst quotes in the article were from other people.

But I believe there was a one-paragraph press release from Clark that was more pointed. I'll keep looking.


UPDATE: Still can't find it. :shrug: Maybe I'm full of it and it would be a fine ticket.

[butterfly77]

22. I agree ...

[Clark2008]

29. And, you know what. That doesn't matter. The primary is over.

If shit like that mattered, then Reagan would never have picked Bush, Kennedy would never have picked Johnson and on and on and on.

This is politics, not the Love Boat.

If Clark can help Obama win, he'll pick him.

[Boz]

26. I supported Clark in 2004 and beyond, Hes a bad fit for Obama, at this time and place

He just hasn't stepped up since he lost, he really hasn't accomplished anything since that tells me he will be able to do what Obama will need.

When Clark lost I really thought he would continue to impact and drive some direction to have an impact, but he chose to go dormant, that lost my interest and his time is past.

[Clark2008]

31. Uh.... you're patently incorrect.

Just because the media hasn't been covering Clark doesn't meat he lied dormant. My God, the man raised money through his PAC to give to all those candidates in 2006 who took back the Congress!!

He stumped for Webb, McCaskill, Lamont and the list goes on and on.

You really need to have your facts straight before posting garbage. Please visit: http://securingamerica.com/ and then come back here and tell me he hasn't accomplished anything.

Shit, man, the guy helped us take back the Congess. Damn!

[Boz]

39. Cause and effect is not corollary, Im not being fed by the media, some of that money was MY money

that PAC, I continued to support him FOR YEARS after he lost.


There were thousands of people that worked just as hard to make 2006 happen.

But he has not had any outstanding self exemplary impact on anything, Clarks a great guy, great democrat, but no longer meeting the level of impact he should have, and definitely no longer the best answer for VP, unless its for some party political reason and taht right there would prove hes no longer the guy he was in 2004.

[JoDog]

11. My libertarian housemate

said yesterday that if Sen. Webb was on the ticket, he would seriously consider voting for Obama. He cited most of the same reasons you did: his military background, a man of honor. He also thinks that Webb's more conservative version of Democratic principles could nicely temper what he views as Obama's "radical tendancies".

[TexasObserver]

12. Kaine could appoint himself US Senator, to fill the vacancy, and resign as governor.

[PATRICK]

13. Virginia has

three or more possibilities and it has a nature worthy of creating a swing state this year as opposed to worthy candidates from other states. Watch Obama's interactions with Virginia pols because this might well signal consideration of one or more of them. Imagining Webb as a president continuing Obama's agenda in the dreaded eventuality or as a full team member, does that present any problems?

[blonndee]

21. Yesterday when Barack said that Webb would "have his back" in the GE

and that he was "an indispensible voice for change," I thought I heard a little bell going "ding ding ding."

[Boz]

28. Because Webb is going to drive MAKING LAWS in the senate

Its a new Democratic mesh being prepared, not just VP , not just Executive, but all 3 and teh 50 sate of Dean as DNC head.

Its a whole new party folks, watch it unfold.

[PATRICK]

45. Yes indeed

thinking just about the Veepstakes is thinking too small. Excitement everywhere, let is spread.

[Boz]

27. Those same people could move People for him without being the VP

Its a whole new ground game, bottom up. Chosing a VP such as just to get Virgina is the old top down way.

[arewenotdemo]

62. I voted for Webb in 2006.

But would rather see Obama choose Warner.

Obama/Warner turns Virginia blue, and wins the White House.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/06/mark_warner_for_vice_president.php

[ErinBerin84]

16. I love the idea of Webb as VP

but I'm beginning to think that ultimately, it's never going to happen because of the perceived negatives ( first term senator, past positions on gender issues, his writings would be used against him, etc). His "temperment" was brought up yesterday on the David Gregory show, and I know this is really shallow given Obama's "no drama" stance on the campaign in terms of people he works with, but I kind of like that he has anger issues (ok, I just like it when he directs them at the GOP. Again, I am not saying that this is a particularly good quality for a VP, just a personal thing about him that makes me laugh at the prospect of the good cop/bad cop angle). Joe Scars said today on his show that he didn't know if "Jim Webb could play second fiddle to anyone". I heard on one of the shows last night (did anyone hear this?) that during a conference call before the VA event, Webb said that he would consider the position if Obama asked him. But again, it probably won't happen, much to my dismay.

[BzaDem]

17. His past sexist writings are going to present a big problem for him. n/t

[Virginia Dare]

48. Well, since the opponent calls his own wife a C**T...

I don't think anybody will go there.

[Jane Austin]

18. Rachel Maddow keeps reminding her listeners that

Webb wrote, back in the '80's, that women "couldn't fight".

He's apologized for that, but if Obama is trying to win back Hillary's women voters, that wouldn't go over so well.

[ErinBerin84]

20. I don't listen to Rachel's radio show, has she given any indication as to who she thinks is a good

idea for VP? David Gregory asked the three other guests except for Rachel on last night's show ( I really hate how it always seems that they conveniently run out of time to ask Rachel questions that I always want to hear her answer to, yet they ask the pubs on the panel).

[Jane Austin]

58. Offhand, I can't recall.

I'll pay more attention tonight when they put the podcast up.

[SOS]

23. Webb would be an excellent choice

kick

[Lucky 13]

25. His previous sexist statements about women in the military take his name off the table...

... at least in this race. I think Obama will choose a white male VP - but not a white male VP that women have REASON to be ticked at.

Now that Edwards has confirmed for a THIRD time that he won't be the VP, I think it will be Wexler. I haven't heard anything negative about him and he could help deliver Florida.

[Clark2008]

33. I agree.

The way to woo back disgruntled feminists who supported Hillary is NOT to put a man with a horribly sexist past on the ticket.

He may have attoned somewhat, but not enough to suit me (he's still better than Macaca in the Senate, though).

[Shakespeare]

37. He's done a 180, and effectively refuted those charges during his senate run.

I don't think it'll be an issue.

[Lucky 13]

52. Yes I know he's refuted and apologized, but I still think he's off the table.

Obama's gonna want someone squeaky clean and cannot afford to alienate ANY women with his VP choice.

[Stop Cornyn]

32. term-limited Virginia Governor Tim Kaine offers many of these same advantages without costing us a

a great voice in the Senate.

[wiggs]

34. VP pick would have inside track for POTUS in 8 years. Is Webb that guy? nt

[PATRICK]

46. Lieberman thought he

was that guy and he definitely lost 2000. That was one point I brought up. Even the most obvious second banana gets the bug, but now we are ruminating about 2012! Happy days.

On edit. That maybe is why Carter brought up Sam Nunn, whose age removes that criteria, I should hope.

[weezy2736]

35. I think that

you're right, especially with the Virginia vote being up for grabs.

Go Wings!

[Shakespeare]

36. Not to sound too Matthews-ian, but I hyperventilate with excitement at the very idea.

I think he'd be fantastic as a running mate and as a VP.

[sam kane]

38. If Webb had said "blacks shouldn't be in the military"

then no one would would even consider him for VP. However, he did say this about 50% of the population, women. I was interested in him too, until I realized this history, now I would be really resentful if he were the choice.

[hokies4ever]

43. Women still don't fight on the frontlines

and there's not too big of a push to change that. For that reason, I don't think that your analogy is applicable. Is McCain in favor of changing the gender role w.r.t. frontline combat? I think not.

[SOS]

44. He said that in 1979

Democrats really are different from Republicans.
Reagan was a New Deal, FDR Democrat.
He changed his views and became a hero to the Republicans.
Why can't we accept that people come to different conclusions as the decades pass?

[hedgehog]

51. I've been reading Webb's fiction and I am very impressed because it's clear

that he has changed over the years. This is a man of strong opinions who is willing to learn.

[sfam]

59. This WAS an issue in the campaign...Webb overcame it, but my fear would be...

that McCain picks a woman and they then play this line to the hilt. Considering the whole issue Obama has with winning back older women tied to Hillary, this would open a pretty much opportunity for McCain.

Still, Webb is clearly the best choice for removing McCain's "You aren't qualified to comment on the war" BS. Webb has a son who fought there, and has a war record as distinguished as you can get.

On a side note, he is my Senator, and I really don't want to lose him. And no, I don't think we'd win that seat in two years.

[Virginia Dare]

50. They'd make a great team..

but I'd hate to lose my Senator. I agree though, Webb is the real deal he'd be an excellent choice. He's a crafty campaigner too, don't forget it was his campaign that caught out George Allen in the "macaca" moment.

[debbierlus]

53. He doesn't bring much beyond the military dem hawk thing

And, frankly, we need to change direction from a military industrial economy to being the leaders of peace and prosperity.
From what I have read about him, he isn't exactly a progressive choice. I know we need to win, but I believe we can do that without Webb. I am unsure of the best VP pick.

[abburdlen]

54. He's a great populist

but has some serious liabilities as a VP pick.
He voted for the telcom amnesty and has some said some terribly sexist things in his past. (google tailhook and Webb) The republicans tried to use it against him in the Senate run and it might have worked if Allen hadn't imploded.

I'm glad he won his Senate seat and thrilled with what he's done with the GI bill and his advocacy for the middle class - but VP? no thanks.

[Crunchy Frog]

56. I'm willing to sacrifice one Senate seat for such a strong presidential ticket.

[sfam]

61. Does this mean you live in Virginia then? If not, you aren't sacrificing him...I am...

And no, I'm not too thrilled about sacrificing a Senate seat. You have no idea who shitty it is seeing George Allen being my representative (or maybe you do, depending on where you're from).

I would prefer VA have two Dem senators for the first time in my lifetime of living here.

If Obama picks him, I'll probably be thrilled at some level, and truly sad on another level.