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Webb Takes Himself Out of VP Race
Virginia Sen. Jim Webb has taken himself out of the running to be Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, telling the Democratic nominee's campaign that he would not accept an offer to join the ticket if one was forthcoming.
"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," Webb said in a statement released by his Senate office. "Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."
Webb's name is one of several that have circulated as potential ticket-mates for Obama. The freshman senator's background in defense and national security -- he is a decorated Vietnam veteran and former Navy Secretary -- and his ability to win in the crucial swing state of Virginia have been seen as attractive attributes for a vice president. But Webb himself has never expressed much interest in the job, and his maverick tendencies and apparent dislike of political glad-handing made him seem an unlikely choice.
Here's the rest of Webb's statement:
"A year and a half ago, the people of Virginia honored me with election to the U.S. Senate. I entered elective politics because of my commitment to strengthen America's national security posture, to promote economic fairness, and to increase government accountability. I have worked hard to deliver upon that commitment, and I am convinced that my efforts and talents toward those ends are best served in the Senate.
"In this regard, the bipartisan legislative template we were able to put into effect through 18 months of work in order to enact the new, landmark GI Bill will serve as a prototype for my future endeavors in government. This process, wherein we brought 58 Senators from both parties to the table as co-sponsors, along with more than 300 members of the House, gives me renewed confidence that the Congress can indeed work effectively across party lines and address the concerns of our citizens.
"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."
By Ben Pershing |
July 7, 2008; 3:43 PM ET
2008 Campaign
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Posted by: radical_moderate | July 7, 2008 5:18 PM
There goes my Democratic VP office pool. I thought either Webb or Wes Clark. Clark was shot down after his comments were misreported by the media. Now this.
Oh well.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 7, 2008 5:31 PM
Did you really believe that Obama was going to pick a running mate who believes it is okay to fly a Confederate Flag? That is what took Webb out of the running, not his statement. This is clearly a "save face" statement.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 7, 2008 5:57 PM
So like they say about how "birds of a feather flock together" now only real loser
Democrat screw balls that perfect clones
of Marxist Socialist Democrat Liberal Losers Muslim Extremist Racist Empty Suit
Barack Hussein Obama such as that all time
Democrat loser and failed 2008 Democrat
Presidential Candidate greasy looking
Bill "Im Hispanic" Richardson will do for
Obama's Co-Loser Vice President,or how about the alltime Democrat Ding A Ling
Madame Speaker Nutty Nancy Pelosi or that
screming bobble head Howard Dean as Obama's
Veep? Hey Democrats Throw Obama and Company
Under the Bus! Re-Do Time! NOBAMA!
Posted by: Sandy5274 | July 7, 2008 8:31 PM
Between them they would have served a term in the Senate and passed ??? How about someone with experience or a track record.
Posted by: Generally Bob | July 8, 2008 3:21 AM
WHO WILL BE THE CABINET MEMBERS?
In these commentaries regarding McCain and Obama, where every person aligned with a candidate is open for criticism and inspection, there seems to be a major item overlooked.
Who will the candidates select for their Vice-President and, more importantly, their Cabinet?
Every President, from 1789, has had a Vice -President and some form of advisory group around them (The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General. Under some Presidents, Cabinet-level rank also has been accorded to the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Director, Office of Management and Budget; the Director, National Drug Control Policy; and the U.S. Trade Representative.).
These advisors have had historically positive and negative effects on the United States over time.
Just to name a few, how about The Secretary of Defense position :Robert McNamara (Kennedy,Johnson,Bay of Pigs, Vietnam); Clark Clifford (Johnson,Vietnam);Elliot Richardson (Nixon,Vietnam,Watergate);James Schlesinger (Nixon,Ford,Watergate);Donald Rumsfeld (Ford, Bush GW, Gulf War);Harold Brown (Carter, Iran Hostages);Caspar Weinberger (Reagan, Iran-Contra);Frank Carlucci III (Reagan, Congo);Richard Cheney (Bush GHW, Kuwait-Desert Storm);Leslie Aspin, Jr. (Clinton, Mogadishu);William Perry (Clinton, Bosnia);William Cohen (Clinton, Iraq, Kosovo);Donald Rumsfeld (Bush GW, Iraq).
The actions and advice of these gentlemen had a lasting and telling effect on how our country appeared to the world (and the ghosts of these events still are seen throughout the globe).
So, let us now start asking, and demanding an answer,
JOHN and BARACK, WHO WILL BE YOUR ADVISORS?
Posted by: Revnur | July 8, 2008 12:03 PM
--So like they say about how "birds of a feather flock together" now only real loser
Democrat screw balls that perfect clones
of Marxist Socialist Democrat Liberal Losers Muslim Extremist Racist Empty Suit
Posted by: Sandy5274 | July 7, 2008 8:31 PM--
Wow, where do these crazies come from? I generally avoid name-calling, but this person needs professional help. Surely she doesn't think that this kind of mindless ranting influences anyone. I try to imagine anyone reading something like this and thinking "oh, of course, now I understand." The irony is that in the midst of all of the empty name-calling, she refers to Obama as an "empty suit." How pathetic.
Posted by: Bob | July 8, 2008 2:16 PM
I agree with the post that Obama needs someone more experienced. Also he needs effective allies in the Senate to get things done. Plus nobody really votes for VP anyway. Obama should, and probably will, choose someone who is ideologically and temperamentally compatible with him, has experience that could help him in dealing with Congress and doesn't have any obvious screaming negatives.
Posted by: Dan | July 9, 2008 6:02 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
How disappointing; Webb was my pick. OK, now I'll lean toward Rendell. NO HILLARY or JOE BIDEN please!