It is not that Webb would not make a good Vice President. It is that he would make an extraordinary Secretary of Defense. Webb's grasp of military issues is unmatched. He understands that "force means people". He wrote, prior to our invasion of Iraq, a scathing editorial that called the planned invasion the greatest strategic blunder of this century. Noah admits, to his credit, that he was dead wrong about Iraq. Perhaps he should have considered Webb's voice.

Yes, thirty years ago, Webb wrote an article called "Women Can't Fight". What's interesting is that the women who find this so offensive have no intention of joining the military, rarely even know anyone in the military and have never, trust me, visited anyone in VA hospital. I don't hear any women in the military complaining about Webb. They know he is competent and that he, unlike Rumsfeld, has their back. He said he would pass a decent GI Bill and he has been at it since he joined the Senate.

Webb makes the media class nervous. The combination of golden gloves boxer, decorated War hero, lawyer, award winning journalist and novelist is too much for them. All of that is enough but that's not what impressed me. Read "Fields of Fire". Webb is a fine writer with a heart. And, he has already proved to be a great senator.

Finally, Webb gives voice to what has always been clear but never said out loud. His view is that the white working class and working class blacks have been pit against one another. Webb's hope is that these two groups - who do our fighting for us - will recognize that they have everyting in common and bring about change.

Webb is a breath of fresh air but don't take my word for it, read Timberg's book and Webb's work and make your own decision.