Vice President Webb? The Speculation Continues...

By: Kindler
Published On: 10/4/2007 10:09:23 PM


Granted, we're still months away from choosing a Democratic presidential nominee, but political junkies being what we are, what better time to discuss choices for the #2 spot?

George Mason professor Jeremy D. Mayer does so at politico.com, and look who he puts near the top of the list:

Jim Webb (Virginia): Webb has great cachet, since he is a former Republican and from a red state that is turning quite purple lately.

Webb would put Virginia in play and, as a decorated Vietnam veteran, former Navy secretary and father of a Marine currently serving in Iraq, he would also give the Democratic ticket instant credibility with the millions of military and veterans' families in America.


Okay, so being a professor from the great state of Virginia may tilt his perspective a bit, but Mayer's analysis is mostly on-point.  He also cites Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) - who I personally think is the most likely VP pick if Hillary is the nominee - but notes:
One problem with Bayh is that picking him could potentially deplete the Democratic Senate majority. Indiana's governor, Mitch Daniels, is a Republican, and he would appoint Bayh's replacement.

And the first nine months of Democratic Senate control have demonstrated that every vote counts, as more bills than ever have been subjected to a supermajority (60 vote) requirement.

On paper, indeed, Webb is perhaps the perfect VP candidate.  But is he too independent, too new to professional politics, too much of a, well, regular, honest guy to be chosen for the job? 

Whaddaya think?


Comments



He thinks Webb or Clark (DanG - 10/4/2007 10:33:40 PM)
I think Clark is in line to be SecState.  No doubt in my mind.  I would love to see Webb there, and I think he would add the most to the ticket if Hillary is the nominee.  But I'm still sticking with my prediction of Clinton-Bayh.


Boring article (Chris Guy - 10/4/2007 11:16:37 PM)
Mayer mentions all the usual suspects.

Although he forgot Ted Strickland. An Ohio Governor who also served in Congress, so he's dealt federal issues unlike Vilsack or Schweitzer.



....and while Strickland was in the House (Chris Guy - 10/4/2007 11:22:05 PM)
guess who co-authored the Children's Health Insurance Program? Hello.


Strickland has said he will not accept a VP nomination (DanG - 10/5/2007 12:34:46 AM)
Strickland has said he will retire after serving as the Governor of Ohio.  He explicitly said he will not accept the VP nomination recently. 


If he can deliver (Chris Guy - 10/5/2007 12:59:29 AM)
Ohio's electoral votes from the Governor's mansion, that's all I care about. :)


Maybe he can, but not as VP (DanG - 10/5/2007 1:35:50 AM)
Not saying he'd be a bad choice.  Just saying he has no interest in running.  Still, maybe he can campign like hell for the victor of the Dem Primary.


If Obama Had Guts... (Matt H - 10/5/2007 9:29:31 AM)
He would immediately court Webb.  If (and it's a huge "if") Webb were interested, this would be Obama's only hope of getting past Clinton.  It would shore up Obama's military creds (compare this w/Cheney/Bush), and it would show that Obama can think outside of the box and let the primary and caucus voters see what they'll get prior to casting their votes.

Up to now I've been holding back on giving any money to any of the candidates.  I like Edwards, but he's stalled out, and I'm not sure that Obama will be a good "investment" since he's afraid to go after Hillary (I just keep thinking about her Flag Amendment support and want to throw-up).  With Webb on any ticket, I'd enjoy contributing.

All of us here know Webb is the real deal (despite some recent wobbles), and he is exactly what the country needs.



Edwards has been attacking Hillary (Chris Guy - 10/5/2007 11:13:57 AM)
and where's that gotten him? Or gotten Hillary for that matter?


It's Child's Play (Matt H - 10/5/2007 12:30:01 PM)
If he fought like he meant it, he'd probably get better poll numbers - he has to take off the kid-gloves and really fight like he wants it - the American public sure does.


Best Choice for the Senate (Gordie - 10/5/2007 9:45:31 AM)
Webb has said he is not after the VP job and I believe him, BUT he has never said he will not accept (at least I never heard him say that).

What is good for the country at a time like this? I believe it would be for Senator Jim Webb to be the VP choice no matter who the D candidate is. There is no doubt anymore that Jim is knowledgeable about many, many subjects and has proven his leadership.

What is good for Virginia? That would be for Webb to be the Vp choice and Governor Kaine to pick Sen. Creigh Deeds as his replacement. Especially since most of Northen Va. thinks Moran is the best choice for Gov in '09. I disagree with all of you who thinks so, but I am ready to relinqish and nominate Virginia Senator Creigh Deed for Governor Kaine's first choice for Jim Webb's replacement.



Not what I'm hearin', bub (DanG - 10/5/2007 11:05:21 AM)
"most of Northen Va. thinks Moran is the best choice for Gov in '09"

From what I'm hearing, Creigh is actually doing pretty well in NoVA.  And he's going to crush Brian everywhere outside of it if they decide to have a primary.



That's Good to Know (Matt H - 10/5/2007 11:15:54 AM)
Make them fight for our vote (i hate anointments).


I'm selfish (David Campbell - 10/5/2007 2:27:02 PM)
but I would rather keep Senator Jim Webb and soon-to-be Senator Mark Warner representing Virginia for the next few terms.  I would like to see a ticket of Obama-Richardson or Clinton-Obama.  Clark would make an excellent Secretary of Defense.


Sorry (Gordie - 10/5/2007 3:49:59 PM)
You will never see an Obama-Richardson and would definitely never see a Clinton-Obama ticket. When ever on the senate floor it is quite evident they do not talk to each other.

Richardson should get out of the Pres. race and run for Senator. It would be the best place for him where he could do his state and the country the most good.

Clark anywhere in the cabinet is a good choice.

I will also be selfish and hope no Senator who is in a Republican Governor state is selected for any cabinet position.



I agree (JamesBenjamin - 10/5/2007 6:00:10 PM)
I'd much rather have Webb and Mark Warner in the Senate for VA than either of them in the VP slot. VA will flip blue this year without a Virginian on the ticket, so why lose two good Senators?


Webb Better Off As Senator, Pres. Candidate 2012 (Galenbrux - 10/5/2007 2:31:08 PM)
Jim Webb would be better off as Senator where he can influence policy there. For instance, if Webb was VP under Hillary, he'd have to tote her water and adopt her policies.

Suppose Hillary has a rocky  first term as president. 2012 would look good for Jim Webb.



Yeah, right, Webb would primary (Lowell - 10/5/2007 2:33:37 PM)
President Clinton in 2012.  Whatever.


Agreed (DanG - 10/5/2007 3:18:38 PM)
If you want President Webb someday, he's got to at least run for VP now.


Dreamer (Gordie - 10/5/2007 3:57:57 PM)
Which ever Democrat wins in '08 will win in '12. With  complete Democratic control there is no way they will screw up in the first Presidentcy, maybe if they get arrogant like the R's they will screw up in the '12 to '16 and the R's could have a chance in '16. BUT when FDR took the reigns control stayed with the D's for what 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 years depending on how ones perspective is.
So if Webb does not take VP in '08, he better take it in '12 if he decides the Pres. is for him.


If Webb EVER wants to be President... (DanG - 10/5/2007 4:45:42 PM)
...he'll have to accept the VP nomination in 2008.  He'll be 69 in eight years.  He can't wait much longer.  If he's VP in 2008, then he can be President in 2016. 


My two cents say that Jim Webb wants no (bladerunner - 10/5/2007 8:47:06 PM)
part of running on a ticket with Hillary Clinton. A good portion of people that like Webb don't like Hillary, and he doesn't want to be associated with Hillary, especially in Virginia. In my opinion their personalities don't mesh together. Sorry about that Lowell.


Wow (Gordie - 10/5/2007 9:42:45 PM)
Hillary not liked. That is amusing. She is starting to pick up the male vote.

Republicans say they would never vote for Hillary by 41 percent, BUT then they say they will never vote for Rudy by 44 percent and from Rudy never voting for, the never vote keeps going up into the 50's and hit the 60's. Heck contray to to MEDIA, Republicnas like her better then their own candidates.

Wake up. Hillary is probably going to set the popular vote record in 2008. May even set the electorial vote record.



Little bit of an exageration there (DanG - 10/6/2007 11:14:08 AM)
"Hillary is probably going to set the popular vote record in 2008. May even set the electorial vote record."

Reagan's electoral vote record will never be broken, man.  All but Minnesota and DC?  Please, Hillary won't get close.  And Hillary won't break 60%.  You'd have to be well over 60 to win the pop-vote record.



Right Below (Gordie - 10/5/2007 9:50:47 PM)
this diary is a diary about Webb's stance on incerceration. It seems every time I log onto RK Webb has taken a stance on an issue no one else wants to talk about. His image is getting so rounded and 21st Century that he sounds like the next VP who will be President in January 2017.

Seems people are not paying attention, except for a select few. Like 1 or 2 reporters and Lowell. I think I will add my name to the list.



Webb... (Nick Stump - 10/6/2007 11:19:36 AM)
Jim Webb is the most outstanding statesman to enter Congress in years.  Of course he's on Hillary's radar as a VP choice.  The guy's a perfect choice for VP.  I'd feel pretty safe with Jim Webb one heartbeat from the White House.  I've always believed he could go as far as he wanted to.  I think it's only a question of how much is he willing to give up.  Does he have the desire to get into the business of running for President.  It's certainly in the VP job description, and I'm pretty sure Jim would not want to end his political career in the VP slot, so saying yes to a VP run almost assures he would eventually run for the White House. 

I'd love to see it. 



With all due respect Gordie..... (bladerunner - 10/8/2007 4:23:17 PM)
Hillary has done a great job as senator in New York, but can not win the job of presidency. I've talked with too many dems and moderate independents that just don't want her in the oval office. Not to mention now she's bringing on Sandy Berger--That is a STUPID move. In my humble opinion Webb would not accept offer. Take care.