Although he says he doesn't want it, it is worth noting that this is the second trip an Obama agent has sent to Virginia these past two weeks, the second agent being Obama himself. And he made a bee line to Warner, Webb and Kaine directly after receiving the delegates. He may want to press Mark Warner on the issue. Webb would be a great choice but Warner would "institutionalize" Obama Awareness over a 16 year period and that is what he needs. It would change America. And Warner's vision of educating the young to build the country dove tails with Obama's. Before he dropped out of the POTUS race Warner was considered the rising star of the Democrats and one with a pure, new vision of across-the-isle cooperation and excellence in management. When Wes Clark considered running for President the first thing he did was call Mark Warner. So I wouldn't rule him out yet.

that Warner was in SWVA yesterday with Barack Obama.  Essentially, Mark Warner's using some of his enormous popularity and political capital to help Barack Obama in rural parts of Virginia.  That's impressive and much appreciated.  Mark Warner is a class act and a loyal Democrat, no doubt about it!

in the rural South, including Jim Webb, Mudcat and WESLEY CLARK. Put these three together as the Three Magi & the rural South will follow Webb's initiative as it was true to the core in its original orientation about the Democratic tradition of the working South. Wesley Clark was enormously important in bringing regular folk including veterans into the party in '06 throughout the South. If any of you all have influence (I don't), Clark needs to be brought in quickly and gotten on the case. They are still moping in his camp. Clark needs to make a public showing with Obama, Warner, Webb and needs to campaign for Obama in the South.  

Kennedy will pull a "Cheney" and pick herself to be the VP running mate  

Actually I see Caroline over the next years as the "little old lady" in the Babar and Celeste books hovering around and offering wise and celestial advise to all in an Obama administration - Barack and Michelle being of course, Barbar and Celeste.

Webb didn't even endorse Obama until now.  He has little political experience, isn't well known outside Virginia and isn't even popular enough in Virginia to help carry the state.  

If Obama wants to shore up his foreign policy credentials with a VP pick, he would do better Nunn.  If he wants to help carry a whole region, he would do better with Richardson.  If he needs to capture the support Clinton feminists, he should choose Sebelius.

Maybe I'm just selfish, but I would rather keep Webb to ourselves as Virginia's senior Senator (and add Mark Warner).

endorsement makes any difference at all.  I mean, Obama could end up picking someone who endorsed Hillary Clinton, so why would Webb's non-endorsement be any "worse" from Obama's point of view?

As far as Nunn's concerned, I respect him but I just don't see it.  He's been out of politics a long time...maybe Sec. Defense?

of Webb to stand back from endorsing either Obama or Clinton.  Both supported him and he has referred to both of them as friends.

Given Webb's ability to grow and change, in this case exemplified by his having crossed over the 60's culture wars divide to embrace the Clintons, an endorsement of Obama would have undercut his sense of honor.

Webb is not politics as usual.

On the other hand, there may have been some smart politics being exercised here.  It's fair to assume Webb might have had a large part to play in a Clinton administration.

Plus there might have been a certain self-awareness -- and, again, smart politics -- about how it would have looked if macho man/alpha male endorsed the guy candidate.

Yet another reason why he fits in so well with Obama's entire "change" message.

in today's VP line:

2. Jim Webb: It's worth noting that on his first full day of campaigning as the Democratic presidential nominee, Obama was in Virginia. Obama believes very strongly that he can compete in the Commonwealth and win it, becoming the first Democrat to carry the state at the presidential level since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Putting a Virginian on the ticket could help, and of the three regularly mentioned -- Webb, Gov. Tim Kaine and former governor Mark Warner -- Webb seems to make the most sense. Webb has impeccable military credentials as a decorated Vietnam veteran and, like Obama, was opposed to the Iraq war from its start. Webb is, however, unconventional in every sense of the word, and may not be comfortable with the relentless message discipline required of a Veep. (Previous ranking: N/A)

If he'd have run for president I'd have chosen him above all others (Edwards, Obama, Clinton..)  There are a lot of people who feel the same. Everyone knows him, and his stock as a respected statesman have rocketed high above where they were when he won the popular vote back in the 2000 election.

   If you add his name to the ticket (Obama/Gore), it could not be beaten.  Whether Gore accepts the offer if it is given is another issue all together.

   The next best would be Obama/Edwards.

If he'd have run for president I'd have chosen him above all others (Edwards, Obama, Clinton..)  There are a lot of people who feel the same. Everyone knows him, and his stock as a respected statesman have rocketed high above where they were when he won the popular vote back in the 2000 election.

   If you add his name to the ticket (Obama/Gore), it could not be beaten.  Whether Gore accepts the offer if it is given is another issue all together.

   The next best would be Obama/Edwards.

... but I think most people believe he wouldn't really be interested in the position again.

someone from Virginia as of now: most likely Tim Kaine, because of his loyalty and success in getting votes. Second choice would be Webb. Then again things could change over the summer.

We now know that because Virginia is going to be a priority state for Obama, there's NO WAY he'll pick Hillary. Her name is mud in this state. Just ask George Allen. Hillary will not be asked, but will help out the campaign nationally.

... but there has been a lot of talk about Wes Clark recently as well. Some of the things I think that are worth considering with him is the fact that he obviously brings a great deal of knowledge and experience in the national security arena and was one of Hillary's key supporters which might help to further unite the party.

Can we get enough quality Republican crossovers like this to compensate for those threatening to shoot themselves in the foot to prove their thesis that Obama can't win?

I think we have to get over the problem of soothing HRC's supporters. They will not be soothed, and people like that tend to get worse, the more you try to please them.

I think Webb is an outstanding choice, for all the reasons you (who know him better than I) have pointed out. I'm just a carpetbagging Republican hoping we can elect a President with brains, and the leadership skills to sell the voters on the tough choices we must make to turn things around.

Since Tuesday night, the 'Bama has done nothing but sink 3-pointers. He's contained, controlled and defused Hillary's attempted hijacking of the VP spot. Bring on Jim Webb!

Posted by: ted in pdx | June 6, 2008 7:48 PM

Yeah, let's go for brains.