First, I think a higher percentage of the Clinton supporters threatening to not go with Obama are the gray-area racists from Appalachia, not women voters angry that a woman was knocked off the ticket. I don't think you're necessarily going to get pseudo-racists (or just out-and-out racists) to necessarily vote for the historic first Black presidential nominee from a major party just because you put a western Virginia Navy guy on the ticket, but I don't think you're going to lose a lot of votes either just because 30 years ago Jim Webb said questionable things about about women on an issue that's not a big national controversy now. The real "meat" in those polling stats, I think, come from blue collar voters of dubious racial motives, not feminists.

Second, I disagree that the spat with Bush was anything but useless. Today, it's one of the most admired anecdotes about the Senator. It's probably why a lot of partisan Democrats and bloggers want to see him on the ticket: We all, as Democrats, have bad feelings towards the Bush administration to some degree, but Webb has distinguished himself on the matter.

Third, the upsides to any vice presidential pick tend to weigh a lot more than the downsides. Cheney has never been that popular. Nevertheless, a lot of Bush's "tough" foreign policy persona is owed to Cheney. There are percentages of the electorate who voted for Bush because of Cheney without really knowing it. No one's going to care that Jim Webb might have said some things that are rough around the edges, but they will say, "Oh, gee, Barack is a credible, cross-sectional sample of a good Democratic ticket. I'll vote for him." As far as window dressing goes, I don't think you can do much better than Webb.

"the gray-area racists from Appalachia"

Charming bit of bigotry.

I agree that Webb is the ideal VP pick for Obama.

But remember, it's no longer about making Democrats happy, its about making independents and disgruntled Republicans happy for the general election. Obama doesn't need to be angry at Bush to get Democrats.

Angry candidates don't win the presidency. Part of Obama's big appeal is his optimism and general happiness with the country and its inhabitants. I can't think of any president since Carter who won by being dour, angry or pessimistic.

Webb's anger is useful in the Veep slot though, since he can then drive home attacks on McCain and Bush and do some of the mudslinging we don't want to see Obama, or any presidential candidate, sling.

If Webb was a standard lefty it would be harmful to Obama and easily characterized as "hate America" stuff. His credentials as a former Republican and military man shield him from these charges and he's a great foil to the "straight talking" hard as nails military hero, McCain.

Webb's anger was a sticking point for me; I like it in the Senator but I saw it as a liability on the campaign trail requiring damage control. You (and others here) have cast it in a light that makes damn good sense.

I still can't shake the impression that, as a gesture, it is akin to John Kerry's "Reporting for duty!" salute. But then, the effectiveness of the obvious is often lost on me.

Okay, let's go over this again. Can someone please identify a time when Webb has let his temper run away with him since the election? No, the Bush thing doesn't count because Bush approached him and persisted in demanding that he answer a question which he'd already indicated he wasn't going to answer. Bush was rude to Webb and Webb just coldly replied the he didn't have to say anything about his son to Bush. Webb didn't lose his temper, he just went a little cold. The fact is that Webb's colleagues on both sides of the aisle are falling all over themselves to say how polite, well-mannered, and good humored he is. He is not merely a leader, but a popular one in the Senate, even after only a year and a half in office. That's superb. But he's no glad-hander. He calls them like he sees them, but quite often tempers the comment so as not to sound too harsh. For the person in this forum who thinks Webb would be perfect for trashing Obama's opponents as Obama remains above the fray, you show absolutely no understanding of Webb. Remember, he's not a politician. He's a writer/journalist/lawyer/retir­ed military member who happened to run for office. There IS a difference.

Webb is one nasty piece of work. We conseratives pray he'll be Obama's choice. The only one better for us would be Barbara Boxer.

"For the person in this forum who thinks Webb would be perfect for trashing Obama's opponents as Obama remains above the fray, you show absolutely no understanding of Webb. Remember, he's not a politician. He's a writer/journalist/lawyer/retir­ed military member who happened to run for office. There IS a difference."

You were probably referring to me, Carla. Webb is considered outspoken and able to make pointed comments. He can go on the attack so to speak. I am praising this ability, not putting it down, in case you don't realize that.

I think Obama's campaign would benefit by someone close to him, say his running mate, making those attacks, and answering the attacks which the Republicans are launching, while Obama is left to look cool, calm and presidential.

I am not putting Webb down. To the contrary, I think he would be an ideal Veep pick for Obama.

The moment Webb ran for political office he became a politician, regardless of his style and moonlighting as an author, or his past as a lawyer or military man. I don't see any difference.

someone had to flush bush's toilet go webb