Obama-Webb O8

Right Democrat writes:

Senator Jim Webb of Virginia has emerged as a leading Vice Presidential possibility on a ticket with Democratic front runner Barack Obama.

The Falls Church Press reported that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (who is also Obama's national campaign co-chair) favors Webb for the Democrats number two spot:

"Kaine acknowledged that Virginia is now considered a key “battleground state” in the race for the presidency, joining such critical states as Florida and Ohio. In light of that, he was asked if Obama should choose a vice presidential running mate from Virginia."

“I think he should choose someone who is strong in foreign policy and defense issues,” he said. He then went on to drop the name of Sen. Webb." http://tinyurl.com/2blp8o

Politico http://www.politico.com/ notes growing momentum for Webb as the Democratic VP choice.

"A Webb profile in the February issue of Washingtonian gushed, “What he would bring is an articulate military voice against the war and a brawny image with the potential to attract moderate-to-conservative swing voters, especially men, who identify with Webb’s pro-gun, pro-defense, red-blooded Americanism. That could add dimension to a ticket headed by either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.”

"And the hometown Washington Post noted, “Sen. James Webb of Virginia will serve as the keynote speaker of the Colorado Democratic Party’s 75th-annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Assuming the Democratic nominee is chosen by then, Webb’s speech could serve as an audition for vice president.” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8433.html

Writing in the Huffington Post, Trey Ellis makes the case for a Obama-Webb ticket:

OBAMA-WEBB SWEEP TO VICTORY, " reads the headline Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 in The New York Times.

I've seen the future and thought I'd come back and share the good news. Everyone expected a tough, close race against McCain when Obama elbowed Hillary out of the top spot. For weeks there was furious speculation as to whom he would chose as his VP but when he settled on Senator Jim Webb, former Marine, former Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, dad of a young man recently returned from Iraq and from the swing-state of Virginia, all the pieces fell into place for a rout. The Webb choice defanged the McCain advantage on military experience and like Obama the one-term Senator from Virginia represented a fresh face that the electorate craved. The Democrats coasted to victory with the simple slogan: "Bring 'em Home! Obama-Webb '08."

The McCain-Kay Bailey Hutchison ticket tried to counter with their own slogan, "A HUNDRED YEARS OF MORE WAR!" but it never really caught on. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trey-ellis/bring-em-home-obamaw_b_86429.html

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton lack strong red state appeal. Democrats need someone on the ticket who can add a strong national security background and appeal to swing voters in the red states. Webb could easily make the difference in Virginia and his presence has the potential to boost Democratic ticket nationally.

Here is a link to Jim Webb's biography http://webb.senate.gov/jim/ and to his political action committee http://www.bornfighting.com/