“The other major reason for Webb’s decision could well be that he knew that he would almost certainly have to withstand a re-examination of of his past controversial comments — on affirmative action and women’s role in the military — that his campaign operatives effectively beat down during his 2006 race against Sen. George Allen (R) … it is almost certain that the re-litigation of why he said or wrote those things during a vetting by the national press would not be an enjoyable experience for the notably temperamental freshman senator,” Cillizza notes.Can anyone blame him? Those are not the only two issues that could be brought up....
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Why did Jim Webb remove his name from the VP list?
So Sen. Jim Webb has decided not to go through the vetting process for Obama's vice presidential nominees ... and the Wall Street Journal checks out why. Among the reasons, they quote Chris Cillizza from the washingtonpost.com:
With Jim Webb next to Obama, people would think that Obama was Senator Webb's valet.
ReplyDeleteHaving recently read Jim Webb's book, A Time to Fight, one can easily see how Senator Webb has broad appeal across party lines, and if the Democrats have any sense, Jim Webb should be their nominee in 2012.
Having served under Senator Webb when he was our Secretary of the Navy, I respect the fact that he has always had the courage to make tough decisions. He resigned rather than be a political lap dog when the Reagan Administration reneged on promises to support an expanded Navy. Most others in Washington are so covetous of power, they routinely sell their souls and betray all that they once believed in, in order to attain positions with power and prestige; not Jim Webb.
Senator Webb is a good man who many Republicans and Veterans, like me, can agree with on a broad range of issues. His position that favors special set asides for Blacks is one of the few policies on which I disagree with him. I want him to amend his stance and support MERIT as the only premise for hiring and promotion. However, on most other issues he seems to place the interests of the typical working man as his chief concern and for that, he is a rare and treasured voice of the People in our Senate.
Was he even on the list to begin with?
ReplyDeleteCathy, he must have been on some kind of list because, from what I read, when the Obama campaign called for additional information for the vetting process, he declined. I'm thinking there was a list in someone's hands....
ReplyDelete