Over at the Virginian-Pilot, Dale Eisman has an excellent article on Jim Webb's prospects for vice president.
...18 months after his surprising triumph in Virginia, Webb, 62, is pulling political levers that almost surely will put him in the top tier of potential Democratic nominees for vice president, whether the ticket is led by Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.Webb's tenacious advocacy of a new GI Bill, which would give every veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan a chance to go to college, has strengthened his ties to a national network of veterans groups and activists and is getting rave notices on blogs and newspaper editorial pages.
In other words, Webb is doing great work in the U.S. Senate on a highly-visible issue at the same time that his new book, "A Time to Fight," is hitting the bookstores (and Webb is hitting the talk shows to promote it). But what does Webb think of being the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee's running mate?
Webb acknowledged that his name is being bandied about as a potential running mate for Clinton or Obama but chuckled at suggestions that he's angling for higher office."I'm not looking to get on the ticket.... I'm happy doing what I'm doing here," he said.
But he didn't rule out running if he's asked.
That sure doesn't sound like "no" to me. Nor does it sound like "no" to Professor Larry Sabato:
"The book can only help" promote Webb as a potential candidate, said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato."It's a rare person who will refuse the request when it comes from their party's presidential nominee," Sabato added. "Somehow I don't think Jim Webb will refuse it, either."
I agree with Larry Sabato on all counts; Webb's excellent book will help promote his candidacy, and Jim Webb is highly unlikely to refuse an offer which begins, "Jim, your country needs you..."
In general, it is our view here at RK that Jim Webb would make a superb running mate for Barack Obama. We say this because of Jim Webb's tremendous military and national security experience/gravitas, his economic populism, his Scots-Irish working class heritage (and potential appeal), his former status as a Reagan Democrat (again, potential appeal to those voters), the tremendous value he would bring to an Obama administration starting in January 2009, the potential to put Virginia (even more) in play, and the fact that we've got a Democratic governor who would appoint Webb's replacement (until November 2009). If you agree, please sign the petition promoting Jim Webb as Barack Obama's running mate. Thanks.
I liked this pasage:
[A] sense of accountability is the burden of leadership, whether in combat or on Capitol Hill. When you have the authority to make decisions, you inherit the responsibility to accept the consequences and the obligation to use your authority for the common good.
Except I would say that there has to be more than just a "sense of accountability"; voters have to impose real accountability.
I encourage everyone to read this article, clip it out and circulate it to your friends and family. When some blowhard tells you that leadership is about shouting the loudest, uttering the most threats, and being the most willing to hurt others to achieve your goals, refer them to this article for correction.
This was not popular at the time -- and it took a lot of intelligence and foresight to see the whole picture. I want someone like that on our side.
I guess Tom Davis is watching closely. You don't think he's bitter, do you?
Retiring Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who has not ruled out a run against Webb in 2012, said Webb has tied his political career to war policy."He's a one-trick pony," Davis said in an interview. "The war will probably not be an issue (in 2012). When that goes away, what is there?"
The only thing that worries me is if Webb becomes the veep candidate, who will occupy his seat.
I shouldn't expect Republicans like Davis to pay attention to facts. It's all about the spin. They like to create one-dimensional caricatures out of people - it's all part of their strategy.
If you think their strategy is shameful, even worse is their goal. These guys are unapologetic in their disdain for the working class. Their goal is financial gain, never forget that. There is nothing more important to them than that goal - including national security, human rights, the environment, or life (ironic, isn't it).
Only that could explain the Iraq War, the price of oil, trade with dictators, support of indentured servant (employer sponsored) visas for immigrant workers, and total opposition to anything that would help working people raise their standard of living. Anything for a buck.