Seems We Won't Get Jim Webb to Kick Around After All...

Jim Webb, touted by the media hordes - and by, well, ME - as a potential Obama VP has bowed out of the race.

"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. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

This comes as the Obama campaign has apparently begun the formal vetting process of its shortlisted candidates.

It's a little mysterious why Webb would choose to step aside at this point, but possible explanations include:

1) He felt he could be more effective in the Senate - considering we are likely to pick up the other VA Senate seat and a stronger majority this year, he may be looking forward to getting through some of his favorite legislation.

2) He didn't want to be vetted, for whatever reason.

3) Having run in 2006 he didn't relish returning to the heat of a campaign at this point (he's hinted at this himself).

4) The campaign may have signalled that he's not at the top of their list, and offered him this graceful exit.

Whatever the reasons, it leaves us with a slightly shorter list of VP prospects, but no more idea who the ultimate choice will be! The suspence builds...

Obama/Webb?

Huge thanks to Jay Wyatt, who has just sent me this:

As I've said before, I think Jim Webb on paper has all the ingredients of a terrific VP pick for Obama. Plus, I think his fiesty populist persona could nicely compliment and add zest to Obama's unifying message.

But, already people have started writing the case against Webb as VP. I think the prospect that Webb's previous statements about women might exacerbate any problems we would have in bringing Hillary supporters back to the fold is worth taking seriously. On the other hand, Webb might bring in the very same white working class voters that Hillary claims she can win better than Barack. I think this is exactly the sort of thing that shows how important it is that Barack has started his VP vetting process now - there are a lot of implications that need to be thought through. But as a former resident of Alexandria, VA I'd love to see Obama win Virginia in this cycle.

What do you think?

Say it ain't so Jim!

So if I had to create out of whole cloth my ideal Barack Obama Vice Presidential running mate, in many ways he would look a lot like Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.

A popular southern populist and former Republican from a state Obama might switch over to the Democratic column, plus a strong national security and foreign policy background as Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan - I mean, what's not to like?

So I'm really hoping that the comments he made on Meet the Press are just an "aw shucks" political disclaimer and not an ACTUAL statement of disinterest:

MR. RUSSERT: In the press release which accompanied your book, sent out by your publisher, it describes you this way: "Now, in `A Time to Fight': the celebrated junior senator from Virginia, who is already being mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate..."

SEN. WEBB: I, I didn't write that, and I didn't read it. So I know there's, there's all--you know, you have even asked me about that. But I'm not interested in doing that. I think we've done some incredibly productive things in the last year and a half in the Senate, and I've been able to do some things--you know, we just saw what John McCain said he wanted to see done. I think we've, from our office, been able to work across party lines and to really work to develop a formula where we can govern.

MR. RUSSERT: But if Senator Obama or Senator Clinton asked you, you'd be open?

SEN. WEBB: I would, I would highly discourage them is probably the best way to say it.

MR. RUSSERT: But you wouldn't be General Sherman and say no?

SEN. WEBB: You know, I--at this--at this point, no one's asking, no one's talking, and I'm not that interested, so.