July 7, 2008 3:16

No Vice President Jim Webb

Posted by Michael Scherer | Comments (24) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

He took himself out of the running in a written statement just now:

Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President. . . . At this time I am also renewing my commitment to work hard to make sure that Senator Obama wins both Virginia and the presidency this November. He is a man who speaks eloquently about our national goals and calls for the practical solutions that must be put into place to obtain them. I will proudly campaign for him.

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Reader Comments (24)

TeresaKopec:

Wow.... too bad. I think he would have been great.

Posted by TeresaKopec | July 7, 2008 3:24 PM

Paul Dirks

At this time I am also renewing my commitment to work hard

My eyes play tricks....

First time through, I thought it said 'reviewing my commitment"....

Posted by Paul Dirks | July 7, 2008 3:26 PM

jayackroyd

TK--

James Fallows, who knows the guy and likes him, thought he'd be a terrible candidate. He doesn't like to campaign, can't stay on message, and wouldn't want to be a powerless VP, says he.

Posted by jayackroyd | July 7, 2008 3:27 PM

Paul-no not that one:

I had read a while back that Webb had painstakingly set his life up so he wouldn't have a boss-which is pretty smart-and so he wouldn't want Veep or a cabinet post.
I like having him as a Democratic senator from Va.

Posted by Paul-no not that one | July 7, 2008 3:31 PM

BrooklynGurl:

As far as bio is concerned, Webb would have been a solid VEEP candidate. I know he has detractors, but I am quite impressed with him as a senator, the way he runs his office, his dynamism and what he could have brought to a national ticket. Too bad for Obama.

Posted by BrooklynGurl | July 7, 2008 3:38 PM

Rob (Formerly) In Toronto

A VP has (historically anyway) to be a "good soldier" a lot of the time. Webb would have sucked in that role because he is by nature a leader.

So the GOP gets its wish and the two best potential Dem VPs with military experience are gone. I do not think that it is really going to matter, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Posted by Rob (Formerly) In Toronto | July 7, 2008 3:39 PM

KathyR:

Paul D: my eyes played the same trick.

I do think he could be even more effective campaigning from a position in which he's not running. Not as subject to the charge of self-interest.

Posted by KathyR | July 7, 2008 3:39 PM

KathyR:

TK - I used to want him to be VP, but I'm a little surprised you did. What about those comments on women in the military that he had to walk back from?

Posted by KathyR | July 7, 2008 3:40 PM

McCain Fluffer:

This is surely great news for the McCain Campaign!

Posted by McCain Fluffer | July 7, 2008 3:49 PM

Memekiller

When the MSM says Obama is running a new politics, they mean the old politics of getting slapped around and dancing on cue. What we mean by new politics is a Democrat who campaigns against their opponent, for Democratic values.

General Clark has clearly demonstrated he doesn't dance to the pundits tune, and is willing to say that no amount of service makes continuing Bush's foreign policy any less stupid. He is the only one willing to campaign against McCain, and therefore the only choice for VP.

Posted by Memekiller | July 7, 2008 3:50 PM

KathyR:

Well said memek (though I don't want Clark for VP)

What the MSM and Republicans also seem to mean by old politics is "moving to the center." What Obama means by old politics is "pandering to the base and telling them whatever they want to hear."

Posted by KathyR | July 7, 2008 3:55 PM

Swampatriot:

Who was that ex-general that Greenwald pointed out hilariously ripping apart Hugh Hewitt? Get that guy instead of Clark.

Posted by Swampatriot | July 7, 2008 4:20 PM

VAR:

Michael-

Have you "earned" the right to sit on the VIP portion of the McCain campaign plane by virtue of your coverage of McCain?

Posted by VAR | July 7, 2008 6:33 PM

Something Blue:

A tantalizing prospect, but probably a good call. Webb's positives (former reagan appointee on the ticket lets obama claim reaching across the aisle, beefs up national security cred, helps deliver VA) are balanced out by possibly deadlier negatives. Webb is also a freshman senator, amplifying the "no experience" argument. He's also highly opinionated and very stubborn on issues he cares about, which makes for a good politician but are not necessarily desirable qualities in a VP. And his ability to aid in delivering VA is somewhat shaky given his razor-thin margin of victory in 06.

Posted by Something Blue | July 7, 2008 8:28 PM

Rose:

I am very happy about this news. Although I don't think Obama would have picked him anyway, especially with this NY Times editorial from 2000: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E3DB1E30F936A15751C0A9669C8B63 Webb's comments on women would have also really hurt Obama's chances, and I would prefer to see a progressive VP nominee.

And he is doing good work in the Senate. Being a successful Senator is much better than being a failed VP candidate.

Posted by Rose | July 7, 2008 8:30 PM

champion:

Until a couple of weeks ago, he was being very coy about the VP slot - now he offers an unequivocal "no".

Methinks the vetting process worked - although I think he would have been very effective at countering McCain's war hero biography.

Posted by champion | July 7, 2008 9:39 PM

VAR:

Michael-

If you have any question of what I am talking about with my question, please see:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/30/mccain-aide-reporters-have-to-earn-special-interview-area-seat-on-new-straight-talk-airplane/

Posted by VAR | July 7, 2008 9:54 PM

Beth in VA:

I'm glad we can rest easy with his big D in the senate for Virginia.

Posted by Beth in VA | July 7, 2008 9:58 PM

Something Blue:

That was my other fear: Webb's open senate seat would give the GOP a badly needed opening given that Mark is a shoo-in as John's replacement.

Posted by Something Blue | July 7, 2008 11:00 PM

FlownOver:

Good start, Michael. One fact, one quote, no "analysis," no compulsive equivalence. You'll get the hang of this "reporting" thing yet. Pretty soon you may move on to questioning what you're told.

Posted by FlownOver | July 8, 2008 12:00 AM

AlanV:

Shame about Webb. He was SecNav when I was in the Navy and he worked for Reagan. He was fair and honest and was great for the sailors. However, he does also have a temper and a quick wit which MAY not play well as Veep.

Posted by AlanV | July 8, 2008 3:23 PM

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Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for

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July 7, 2008 3:16

No Vice President Jim Webb

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