"People are fed up with bullshit"
By: Lowell
Published On: 10/13/2007 5:57:33 PM
That quote comes from an article on Jim Webb in this week's National Journal. Here's the context:
[Rep. Jim] Moran said he had had a conversation earlier that day, October 2, with Larry Korb, a Reagan administration Pentagon official who has done an about-face and is working for the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Iowa. Korb told Moran that despite the intense battle for the presidential nomination, a "real consensus" had developed among local precinct leaders about their top choice for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket: Jim Webb.
Why, Moran asked, should Webb be the running mate? "People are fed up with bullshit," Korb replied. As Moran recounted that answer, the audience burst into applause. Moran then added, "Iowa is no different from any other part of the country. They are desperate for political leaders who are genuine." When such leaders "see something wrong," Moran observed, "they are not afraid to just kick butt and make a change."
That's very interesting, but I still see Webb staying in the U.S. Senate for the rest of his term. As UVA Professor Larry Sabato says, "I can't remember a senator in his first six or seven months having the kind of impact Webb has had...He's been in the forefront from day one on one of the most important issues before Congress, Iraq." No disagreement here. In other words, Webb can make a lot more of a difference in the U.S. Senate than as Vice President. Webb seems to agree:
As for the possibility of landing on a national ticket, Webb dismissed the notion as "speculative." Besides, he is now positioned to pursue his own agenda. "I have the ability to really speak my mind and try to get the right things done. I am really comfortable with where I am right now," he said. "There are frustrations in the legislative process, no question about it. But I think we are really just hitting our stride here."
Jim Webb hitting his stride in the U.S. Senate after just 9 months there with Mark Warner to join him in just 15 months? That sure doesn't sound like any "bullshit" to me! :)
Comments
It's great that Webb is viewed as a viable candidate (Catzmaw - 10/13/2007 6:13:05 PM)
However, he would be far more effective as a Senator. He can do a lot to repair the damage of this Imperial Presidency and to restore the balance inherent in our Constitution, and he is in a prime position to influence and propose legislation right now. If he were the VP he wouldn't be able to sit on committees and ask the probing questions of which he has such a vast supply, nor would he be able to pursue his latest course, which is an attempt to do something about the incarceration crisis in this country. Call me selfish, but it would be hard for me as a Virginian to see him go national.
I'd rather he be Senate Majority Leader (Ron1 - 10/13/2007 6:49:09 PM)
If we kick out enough Republicans from the Senate next year, I'd like to see the new blood kick Harry Reid to the curb.
The thing about being VP, I think it would be great if a future VP actually used his/her position as President of the Senate to get more involved in the legislative process, help integrate the desires of the executive with the work of the Congress. I could see Webb doing that if he were to become VP, but I would also like to have a Senate combo of Webb/Warner than Warner/? and VP Webb.
Forget the idea of him as VP (Chris Guy - 10/13/2007 7:55:59 PM)
Just the fact that Democrats around the nation want him on the ticket shows how much respect he has garnered in such a short time. It also makes the scores of activists on various blogs calling him a coward and saying they regret their vote look even more ridiculous than they already did, and how out of touch they are within the party as a whole. And adding to that, they'll turn around a few days later and beg Senators to vote for Webb's amendment. It's that kind of reactionary nonsense that gives good bloggers a bad name.
as good as Webb is (JScott - 10/13/2007 8:52:40 PM)
As good as Webb is I just do not see Webb getting the support of those insiders, you know the ones no one like to talk about but work behind the scenes with influence. On the off chance that the Republicans do win in 2008, Webb's popularity may simply skyrocket further in the eyes of those folks as he continues to do his thing in the Senate. Webb is a pretty level headed guy and I think he knows that the VP spot is not really going to be an option. HRC will likely lock up Strickland I think from Ohio in the end.
Strickland has said he will not accept a VP nomination (DanG - 10/14/2007 9:38:46 PM)
Just FYI
A Direct Question (and Answer) (Barbara - 10/13/2007 9:06:03 PM)
There was a short Q&A with Senator Webb after his talk on Thursday to Dem volunteers in Prince William County. I got the first question, asking him to comment on the speculation about him being the VP candidate. He said he has no plans for that; emphasized how proud he is of the strong staff he has in place and how much he loves working with them.
He also joked about how Mark Warner would soon have to call him the "Senior Senator from Virginia". I love that.
It's a great time to be a Virginian ... (Catzmaw - 10/13/2007 10:13:21 PM)
We're fast morphing from a reactionary backwater to a state on the cusp of change.
"Fed up with BS" (Teddy - 10/13/2007 10:21:19 PM)
Boy, is there a message in that simple statement! Is the national Democratic leadership listening? How about the self-aggrandizing pundits? How about the media?
Can it be that the American public finally, finally is ready to talk about the real issues and quit being fed pablum about He said, She said, the gossip about anything but substance and all about haircuts and froth and so-called celebrities? Can we begin to talk about the unitary executive, the Constitution and checks and balance, the violation of our treaties by our leadership, what is the real national interest of the United States and how we can best serve it, how can we create a sustainable economic system with a realistic energy policy, what are the real causes of terrorism and how to combat it, etc. etc.
In other words, get rid of the lowest common denominator in public discourse, and act like adults trying to run a civilized society.
I say again, a true leader does not take a free people to war by telling them to be afraid.
Bravo, Teddy (Catzmaw - 10/13/2007 11:50:09 PM)
Excellent points. Time to cut the crap, shuck the shinola, and get down to basic policy issues. Let's see a real no-spin zone, not that travesty O'Reilly runs.
Yes they are fed up but... (Rebecca - 10/14/2007 10:52:48 AM)
People are fed up but I have noticed that any time someone who talks straight becomes too prominent they are trashed by the media smear machine.
Examples? (Lowell - 10/14/2007 10:57:36 AM)
n/t