Jim Webb, Democratic VP candidate?
His tendency to withhold a handshake (see below) leaves me wondering, but it’s hard to think of a better running mate for Barack Obama to pick, should he end up with the nomination. I like the guy simply for taking down George Allen in my former home state.
Elizabeth Drew makes a terrific case for his VP cred in this article.
“The sense in Washington that [Webb] was—well—different,” Drew writes, “was enhanced by his famous first encounter with President Bush after [Webb's] election, when at a November White House reception for newly elected members of Congress, Webb refused to shake Bush’s hand. Bush then sought Webb out and asked him about his son, who was serving in Iraq, “How’s your boy?” and Webb replied, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President.” “That isn’t what I asked,” Bush snapped. “How’s your boy?” Webb responded, “That’s between me and my son, Mr. President.”
3 Comments
June 3, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Didn’t know about his handshaking thing. That must make for an interesting campaign tour. I wonder how often he makes exceptions.
June 3, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Thanks for the comment! I’ve changed the wording in the handshake mention to better reflect my intention to make light of his refusal to shake hands with John Kerry and George W. Bush. You’ll also find an excerpt at the bottom now that recounts part of the Bush episode. Thanks again!
June 3, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Ahh, thanks for clarifying. I completely misread it the first time, and was picturing some sort of hardcore germophobe