The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

PS -- Obama, if nominated, can publicly indicate he would appoint Clinton to a top Cabinet position, such as Secretary of State. That should get her supporters to chill out.

A.F. Cook
Red Zone Politics

There is no question about it: Webb is THE guy for Obama, and the candidate should get clearance from Webb to float his name openly, as a way to quell concerns of the "white guy vote" after the Wright affair and give them an option to McCain.

Virginia is THE state to watch, anyway. Voted in droves for Obama in the primary -- a bellwether red state going purple.

A.F. Cook
Red Zone Politics
www.redzonepolitics.com

If the Democrats want a shot next fall, they must have both Clinton & Obama on the ticket. That will be the MINIMUM needed to bring all the voters back to the fold.

The Obama folks are taking the Clinton voters for granted. Obama has nomination sew-up by blocking revotes in FL & MI, but will pay a price. No more illusions about the end of "politics as usual." It will be very difficult to win those states in the fall. And all the negativity will push Clinton voters to McCain.

I want a VP who I'm willing to see as Pres and that's not Jim Webb. My choice for Pres in Obama and my choice for VP is Kathleen Sebelius.

Thanks, whatmeregister. I find that so many people site inaccurate things in their posts (because they're so eager to post) that I've become fustrated. Thanks for the update. Lex

Somebody hit starbuck1; she's skipping again.

"Guess you haven't been paying attention Brian. Obama is not electable in the general election.

New Gallup Poll Daily tracking finds Hillary Clinton with a 49% to 42% lead over Barack Obama in national Democratic voters' presidential nomination preference."

Posted by: joep1 | March 19, 2008 05:17 PM
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Brian may have been paying attention to:
- the delegate count
- endorsements from Dem leaders and superdelegates have all but dried up for Mrs. Clinton
- Hillary voted for the war while Dems like Harry Reid are speaking against the war and it's burden on the economy
- Nancy Pelosi says the voted delegates should prevail
- Hillary probably won't be able to cheat her way into repeat primaries in MI and Fl

The media is still trying to make Obama look presidential after his downfall with Rev. Wright. It will not work.

Hillary will be looking for a VP soon!!

The media is still trying to make Obama look presidential after his downfall with Rev. Wright. It will not work.

Hillary will be looking for a VP soon!!

The media is still trying to make Obama look presidential after his downfall with Rev. Wright. It will not work.

Hillary will be looking for a VP soon!!

If Hillary is nominated, Webb as a running mate would give her the military street cred she needs to fight McCain. Obama could also use Webb, but would be better off with Bill Richardson to help lock up the Latino vote. Hillary doesn't need Richardson's help to get Latino votes, as most Latinos are pro-Clinton anyway. It would be nice for the Dems (which I am not) to have someone on the ticket to say to McCain, "I was there too, pal, so just shut your piehole."

Joe,

You and Hillary keep holdin that string. Polls don't win nominations and PA is over a month away...watch him work...he's raised the discussion and now most of America is ready to move on.

Lex,

Broder's article originally claimed that Webb and Obama were both elected in 2006, which is why so many folks complained about the inaccuracy. It was subsequently corrected.

Webb is a great man, but he's too much like Obama in strengths and weaknesses to be useful running with him. He is a great speaker and an idealist, but he just got elected to the senate. The best tactic is to have a VP that fills in the areas you may lack. For Obama that area is experience. Just cause Clinton doesn't have it either doesn't mean it isn't important. The first word people use to describe Obama is "inexperienced". For best election - and yes even governing - results, he should find someone who has a lot of governing experience to back him up - even if they do not have so much charisma.

Really. so many are acting like HRC has lost the race. she is getting better poll numbers and many supporters are writing i and petitioning for FL/MI.
obama failed his first test at bringing folks together. He can't get his own party to agree on FL.

Way too early to be picking the VP.

please visit

http://hillaryisourchoice.com/simplemachinesforum/

and join our discussions.

I never comment, but I just had to this time. For all those pointing out that Obama was elected in 2004 (and saying Broder is wrong for saying 2006), pls read Broder's piece more carefully -- he says that Webb was elected in 2006 "two years after Barack Obama joined the world's most exclusive club". Two years after 2004 is 2006. Careful reading = better posts, people!

did you hear the one about the politician that said God might be causing a bloody war with many American deaths to make it pay for its wrongful actions towards African americans? What a blame America first guy that Lincoln was in his second inaugural.

"...and Hillary's chances are looking slimmer day by day."

Guess you haven't been paying attention Brian. Obama is not electable in the general election.

New Gallup Poll Daily tracking finds Hillary Clinton with a 49% to 42% lead over Barack Obama in national Democratic voters' presidential nomination preference.

The horizon is wide open. Yes...it is smart to start thinking of Obama as the nominee...he is in the strongest position and Hillary's chances are looking slimmer day by day.

Webb would be a great choice as long as they have a back up for the Senate seat. With McCain having all those senior moments about who we should be attacking it should be like shootin fish in a barrel. McCain is lookin weak...he's got his boy Lieberman whispering in his ear what he should be saying...potential big problem for Mr. Expert on National Security and Defense?

"Webb, a Vietnam veteran, a former Republican and Reagan administration Navy secretary, gave the Democrats their Senate majority when he won the 51st seat in 2006, two years after Barack Obama joined the world's most exclusive club."

OK, they've corrected the Obama date of election now, but what the heck is that 51st seat stuff? The Democrats have 49 senators, the Republicans have 49 senators, and Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman are Independents -- who caucus with the Democrats.

Copyeditor, please?

"Is there anything else Obama might need in a running-mate? As Webb might say, 'Not particularly.' "

While some might see the above as Broder jumping the gun in declaring Obama the presumptive nominee, the simple fact is that this story is about Jim Webb, and therefore assumes that his addition would be to a ticket headed by Obama. No one with any real political acumen is speculating that Webb would be Hillary's choice for VP--Webb is a vocal Obama supporter, after all.

Similarly, someone here suggested that Sen. Mikulski would be a good running mate for Obama, but since she's in Hillary's camp, that's not likely either. Whoever gets the VP nod is almost certainly going to be selected from the loyalists rather than from the ranks of the other candidate.

Obama/Webb would be an outstanding ticket for the democrats. Webb would help Obama with middle aged male white votes. If Obama offers it to Webb the party must force Webb to accept it if he refused. An Obama/Webb ticket is the real dream ticket. OBAMA/WEBB 08!

Enough of the gender race thing already, we gotta stop eatin' the bad meat the press is tossing out for conflicts sake.

Hillary is done, it's over, she can bow out gracefully, or make a mockery of her supporters, by turning them into agents of what all sane honest folk refer to as "cheating." hose who support her effort to steal the election are abbetting a crime.

What's nice is that we simply chose the better candidate to lead our country forward. It has little to do with much else.

Webb would add luster either to a Republican or Democratic ticket. I would vote for him in a heart beat.

While I am sure that many people are backing Obama because of race, and Hillary because of gender, I doubt very much that they share your contempt for her.

Nice try at changing the subject Mr. Broder. It's interesting that Broder is implying Obama is the nominee. Wonder what the rest of the states who haven't voted have to say about that. Oh, that's right, this is the Post. They don't really care what the voters have to say because they think we are stupid. They are too busy trying to influence the outcome of the election. Perhaps instead of reporting rumors and telling us who to vote for, you could report on what else we don't know about Mr. Obama?

Too bad the media is tainted:

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/09/Opinion/Media_tainted_by_anti.shtml

Either Obama/Webb or Obama/Kaine would be strong tickets with appeal across regional, cultural, and generational lines. Webb also has some of the attack-dog persona that is needed in a vice presidential candidate. I would love to see Obama and Webb go after McCain on his recent blunders in misidentifying Iran as a source of support for Al Qaeda in Iraq.

If only Webb was a woman. It would be a dream ticket to placate those who wanted Ms. Clinton simply because she's female.

Posted by: LouiseFletcher | March 19, 2008 02:36 PM
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Has to be one of the stupidest statements I have ever read here.

Posted by: PatrickNYC1 | March 19, 2008 03:27 PM
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Not as dumb as the number of women that support Hillary and are willing to overlook her lying, cheating ways just because they share the same gender.

HILLARY TROLL ALERT!!! *** nidaye3322 ***

FairlingtonBlade: Please note that I was just parroting the rude comment from that person's earlier post. She/He/It deserved it and they were wrong to boot!

zbob99 -

Mark Warner is not the only one out there makes a good VP candidate. Why would Hillary take him and give up a sure Dem. seat from VA?

Yes, I'm very confident Hillary will be the nominee. The Dems would be crazy to nominate a sure loser in Obama with his huge baggage of Wright and Sharpton.

I think zbob was right, if a bit rude. The decks have been cleared for Warner. There's always that third Virginian out there, Gov. Kaine, but I don't see that as a strong possibility. Warner going for Veep might set up a Kaine vs. Gilmore fight for the Senate.

BB

Reports out there that Mark Warner is still a potential VP candicate:

Southern Political Report (March 19) --

One potential development that could affect the race is the prospect that either of two prominent Virginia Democrats could be tapped by Barack Obama for the vice-presidential nomination. If Obama should choose Gov. Tim Kaine (D), one of his campaign's national co-chairs, the Democrats will be heavily favored to carry Virginia -- for the first time since 1964. There is also talk that Obama might ask Mark Warner to join his ticket. That would require the Democrats to quickly find another US Senate nominee. The betting is that they would pick one of the state's Democratic congressmen or former lieutenant governor Don Beyer.

Welcome to the party people. I have said that Webb would at the top of the Obama shortlist for VP back in April 2007 after I saw him on Meet the Press. A ticket of inspiration and experience (especially national security) would definitely be strong.

Second on my Obama VP shortlist is Kansas Governor Sebelius. If the view of having another Washington outsider gets more appealing, Sebelius has gubernatorial (executive) experience.

Third choice is the Governor of Virginia, Kalnes. Same reason as Sebelius selection.

Obama in 08!

Senator Webb is an accomplished,complex and fascinating political figure, and I think that his presence on the ticket would ensure that the Democrats take the White House this year. But, I just can't see him as the vice-president-- he's a natural-born leader, not a follower, and it would be a waste of his time.

nidaye3322:
Mark Warner is running for Senate in VA, which has elimited himself from consideration.

===========

I know Warner is running for Senate but last I heard it was still a possibility that Warner could drop his bid and take the VP slot if offered. Do you have proof he removed himself completely from consideration? BTW, Hillary won't get the nomination. Please face that reality before opening your mouth next time.

God D Michigan
God D Florida

zbob99 -

Please think things over before openning your mouth. Mark Warner is running for Senate in VA, which has elimited himself from consideration. By picking him, Hillary will forfeit a Senate seat even before she wins the presidency. I don't believe she is that naive.

hey, mul...that time of the month, huh? LOL!!

Posted by: LABC | March 19, 2008 02:58 PM

I do have a nasty fungus thing but I am a dude.

Obama supporters are blocking a re-vote in a close election. If they re-vote Obama might do well (hahahha) or could lose badly. Either way it may give us some clarity.

AS for rules don't sound like the VRWC. There are two ways to get the Dels seated. One involves a floor fight under the rules (there are rules for stuff like this you can look it up). A re-do would change the rules but there is nothing bad about a primary unless you might lose. If both sides agree I should be fine. Obama said he would like a re-do but he might have been BSing.

If you just want Obama to win and don't care about rules just say so.

If only Webb was a woman. It would be a dream ticket to placate those who wanted Ms. Clinton simply because she's female.

Posted by: LouiseFletcher | March 19, 2008 02:36 PM
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Has to be one of the stupidest statements I have ever read here.

No question Webb is on the shortlist but so is Richardson, Mark Warner, Katherine Sebelius, and a few others.

Webb, a Vietnam veteran, a former Republican and Reagan administration Navy secretary, gave the Democrats their Senate majority when he won the 51st seat in 2006, the same year Barack Obama joined the world's most exclusive club. ---

Did Broder have another senior moment or what? If I remember it well, Obama was elected in 2004. Broder is trying to make him even less experienced? You and I can make this mistake, for Broder, with assistance of editors, to make this error is just unacceptable!

To Mul: Barack isn't preventing Michigan from a revote. Michigan is to blame for its primary problems because they broke the rules and jumped the gun and move up there primary.If they had followed the rules, a re-vote wouldn't even be an issue!And, if you were will informed instead of listening to Hillary, you would know the Michigan legislative is having issues with a re-vote.

Obama-Webb would be excellent.

My guess is Webb knows what Al Qaeda is and where Al Qaeda is.

That gives him a leg up on McCain.

Someday McCain will have to speak to an intelligent person about Al Qaeda without Senator Palpatine next to him whispering in his ear.

I'll be watching then, as will many voters.

Webb may as well do something else because he is not doing anything worthwhile for the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Posted by: mul | March 19, 2008 02:49 PM

*********************
hey, mul...that time of the month, huh? LOL!!

Talking of running mates. Maybe Webb will be Obama's but Cheney is going to be McCains running mate. Why were they just in Iraq together ? Cheney Veep forever.

Obama is blocking Michigan from voting.

He will probably have to back down but with the free fall in the polls Hillary will probably catch Obama in the popular vote after Indiana and NC. She needs about 400,000 votes.

Obama will not get more than half the white Indys until Oregon.

Now he has fooled lily 'white' America into thinking many Black churches - D Amercia and are happy about 9/11 - this is another feather in his cap. (For his stupid white supporters that is not true - there is anger many times but not that crap.) He has some issues with white women - probably steaming from his Grandmother who did not like black men too much. I guess thats one way you end up in Pol. Obama don't talk bad about your Grandmother in public to save your A$$.

Much as I, a Virginian, admire Jim Webb, I think that he needs to stay in the Senate--and I suspect that Webb agrees.

I am also an Obama supporter (and admirer, especially after his Philadelphia Address). In my opinion, if we are lucky enough to have him as our presidential candidate, he will come under enormous pressure to name a woman as his running mate. Otherwise too many of Hillary's older-generation feminist supporters who will refuse to vote for him come November.

Possibilities: Sebelius? Napolitano? What about Nancy Pelosi? Or Barbara Mikulski? All these are women who made it on their own talents rather than by virtue (?) of being married to an ex-president. They have all got excellent resumes on significant domestic issues, but none of these women can claim the national security bona fides of a Webb, a Biden, or a Richardson, of course. But I'm afraid that we've now reached the point where gender identity politics trumps too much else.

LOL! At he Dimocrat Broken Convention, it will probably be Al Gore/ Webb.

But, President McCain won't be worried! ;~)

Those who want Clinton just because she's a woman, Obama just because he's black or McCain just because he's a white male should not be allowed to vote. We're electing a president, not a DNA sequence.

Webb is a good choice for Obama. Military experience, he can speak well (in a way completely different than Obama), and he doesn't cackle. It also doesn't hurt that he's from VA. If Obama won, I could see Webb as president in 8 years.

I've read recently that Webb would be a good choice for either Clinton or Obama. I voted for Webb and will vote for either Dem nominee.
Still, I have to wonder why
the writer asks if Obama needs anything else in a VP? I did not realize Obama was our nominee just yet.

If only Webb was a woman. It would be a dream ticket to placate those who wanted Ms. Clinton simply because she's female.

I like Webb. But I like Richardson better.

Immigration needs to be dealt with intelligently and with compassion and Bill Richardson is both.

Would make a strong ticket, for sure and further help widen the effective lead between Obama and McCain (If Hillary can not get MI and FL);

Obama vs Clinton vs McCain - The Google Effect:

http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=76

Webb seems tailor-made for a Obama ticket. White-male, represents a swing state, impeccable military credentials, beloved by Reagan. He does carry some baggage from a handful of overblown remarks he made years and years ago, but I find an Obama/Webb ticket irrestible. It would certainly demonstrate strength on national security while not be hawkish.

Barack Obama was elected in 2004, not 2006.

I know President McCain is a bit of a RINO, but I do not think he will want Webb!