I agree with most of what you say, Webb's got a lot of upside, but Noah's right that Webb's rogue temper could be a problem, not during the election, but as VP. Being a conservative democrat, he might do Obama some major damage if there's a split on policy (you know, how Obama has so many "hard Left" positions, which in any country other than America would be considered to the Right of Augusto Pinochet). Its the same reason Clinton would be a bad pick, they've both got their own agendas, and Obama is going to need all the help he can get.

Personally, though, I think Noah missed the second-biggest reason Webb's a problem as VP: he's a terrible public speaker. He mumbles. He often looks like he doesn't know what to say. Check out some of the YouTube stuff on him. In real life I like people who look as honest as Webb, but most voters don't. Any country that would RE-elect George W. Dumbass can't be trusted to vote for someone who isn't slick.