Webb Won't Be Vice-Presidential Candidate
Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) said in a statement today he has told Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, not to consider him as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
"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. "Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."
Many political observers have mentioned Webb, a former marine and Secretary of the Navy, as being on Obama's short list because of his foreign policy and military credentials. But Webb, who sponsored the new GI Bill that President Bush signed into law last week, said he's happy in the Senate.
"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," Webb said. "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."
Webb's decision to take himself out of the running to join the ticket comes one month after former Virginia governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner (D) made a similar pronouncement.
With Virginia potentially in play this fall, some Democratic strategists were hopeful that Obama could easily snag the state's 13 electoral votes if he added a Virginian to the ticket.
Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who endorsed Obama more than a year ago, has also been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate, even though he lacks foreign policy and military experience.
Kaine has said he plans to complete his term as governor, which doesn't end until 2010, but he has not yet unequivocally ruled out the idea of joining the ticket if asked.
It remains unclear why Webb decided to go public now with his desire not to be considered as a vice-presidential contender.
In his statement, Webb said he will campaign heavily for Obama in Virginia, which has supported the GOP presidential nominee in every election since 1964.
Webb said Obama is "a man who speaks eloquently about our national goals."
"I will gladly campaign for him, said Webb, who only endorsed Obama in early June, after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY.) abandoned her bid for the Democratic nomination.
By Tim Craig |
July 7, 2008; 3:15 PM ET
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Tim Craig
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Posted by: Purple Going On Blue | July 7, 2008 5:25 PM
"Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who endorsed Obama more than a year ago, has also been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate, even though he lacks foreign policy and military experience.
Kaine has said he plans to complete his term as governor, which doesn't end until 2010, but he has not yet unequivocally ruled out the idea of joining the ticket if asked."
with sub-50 percent approvals, an inability to get a transportation tax deal, and an true talent for brown nosing, I'm sure Kaine would be asked. not.
Posted by: charlie | July 7, 2008 5:47 PM
Thank goodness. Now I can retain respect for Senator Webb as long as he is not a worshiper at the clay feet of the obamessiah.
Posted by: PJ | July 7, 2008 5:56 PM
Now lets get serious.
Why not consider Senator Casey of Pennsylvania as VP. A Roman Catholic who has done well with blue collar voters and is pro-life, he should be of help with moderate/conservative Democratic voters in Pennsylvania (21 electoral votes) and Ohio (20 electoral votes).
Posted by: Why Not Casey | July 7, 2008 5:57 PM
Obama's primary goal should be to select a VP who is capable of being a good VP, the votes will come.
Any other decision is just politics as usual.
Posted by: Duh | July 7, 2008 6:19 PM
The only reason why Webb won in the first place is because of the racist stupidity of Sen. Allen's Macaca moment. Otherwise, right now Webb would be in the middle of writing another book.
Webb became a Democrat just so he could run for the Senate. He has no loyalty to the party. He also has no loyalty to the Constitution, because on several occasions he voted for bills, like the FISA revision, that were clearly unconstitutional.
Posted by: Kevin Schmidt | July 7, 2008 7:34 PM
I've been pimping Bob Graham, but Bob Casey is a good choice, too.
Posted by: gbooksdc | July 7, 2008 9:22 PM
What happened to the idea that as long as Obama doesn't say who will be the VP, all names mentioned in the media will be just rumors? I think we should just wait and see who Obama tells us the VP will be. It is becoming a huge game for many who are trying to out guess who really will be Obama's VP. Why don't the media let it go and resort to asking questions about the issues? We still need the Senate.Webb will probably be more beneficial to Obama in other areas from his stance in the Senate.
Obama will take his time and when all is vetted, we will have a winning team who will do good in the GE.
Posted by: mamamay | July 7, 2008 11:11 PM
Webb is holding out for Secretary of Defense position. He would be able to do infintely more there than as VP. He would love to shake up the Pentagon. And the Defense Department is going to go through some rough times over the next 10 years. Even with a progressive leader as Webb. It has some major programs on the books and will have to do all this with a major replacement of all that it used up in Iraq/Afghanistan. And they will not get enough money from Congress to do it all.
Posted by: Humpty Dumpty | July 8, 2008 2:50 AM
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As exciting as it would be to possibly have a Virginian on the presidential ticket, Senator Webb made the right choice to stay in the senate and represent VA. With a near-lock (I'm giving Gilmore a decent man's chance), Warner would join Webb and start the turn around to be that Blue state. Watch out, Virginia is back in play!