McCain Could Learn Something From Webb

The first major speaker at the Virginia convention was our Democratic Senator Jim Webb.  Forget the "Straight Talk Express" Jim Webb is the real thing. During his speech we didn't hear much that was new substantively,  Senator Webb touched briefly on many issues: Iraq, reducing the rate of incarceration, his GI bill, many things we've heard from Webb before and know he's passionate about.

My favorite line of the speech? "The President has neither the authority nor the moral right to keep our troops in Iraq."  Or something to that effect.  I wanted to drop my camera and cheer.  (Although the price tag on my Nikon kept one of my hands firmly wrapped around the camera body.)

However, I had a chance to experience something refreshing - a forthright politician.  (Or at least the  appearance of one.)  He started off by mentioning Tim Russert and how much of a loss it will be to journalism.  Webb also spoke about Hillary Clinton, her legacy, the historical importance of her candidacy, and how much she means to the Democratic Party and the United States.  I wasn't surprised to hear this.  The party has to heal its wounds somehow and unity was a theme at the convention today.

The interesting information came after Webb's speech when the press had about 15 minutes with him.  Incidentally, "the press" means me for today.  I have press credentials and am strutting my stuff around the convention floor with the big boys while they try to pretend that I don't exist.

After a nice long wait while Senator Webb shook hands and worked his way off the convention floor, he finally got to us.  All of the MSM reporters, including a TV reporter, several people from the Washington Post, and others, immediately formed a scrum around Senator Webb and began peppering him with obvious questions that have been asked a thousand times.  (Not that any of  my questions were somehow groundbreaking, but I was expecting something more, I guess.)

There are times when being only 5 feet 2 inches is a liability.  This was one of them.   Faced with the back ends of several very tall men making a nearly impenetrable wall of testosterone, I did what any tiny but enterprising blogger would do. I forced my way in.  Luckily, I have sharp elbows.

I won't bore you with Webb's response to every question.  Trust me, you've heard all the answers before.  But, in response to the inquiry regarding whether or not he, or any members of his staff, have been contacted by Barack Obama, or any of his staff, about the VP slot, Webb said "No. No one's had any conversations about that."  My overall impression of Webb was one of candor and ease.  He's very comfortable in his roll and he has that "aura."  You know what I mean?  Yeah, that Presidential one.  Even though the VP slot is apparently not on the table at the moment.

So there you have it folks.  There are purportedly 3 Virginians being bandied about as candidates for the VP slot.  1 down. 2 to go.

I'll keep you updated.

I'll have photos to follow this evening.  Now, I'm off to stalk John Grisham.  I understand he's here but I haven't spotted him yet.  I hope the MOMocrats will forgive me while I go off on a little frolic and detour from my job for the day. 

(Sorry about the frolic and detour comment.  Those of you who are lawyers rolled your eyes.  The rest of you will have to Google it.  I'm such a legal nerd.)

Other posts from the Virginia Democratic Convention:

From Red to Blue in Virginia?

In her non-political blogging life, Stephanie writes at Lawyer Mama.

Comments

[Allison]

How do you reconcile Webb's past views on women in the military? During his Senate campaign, in an interview with Russert actually, he had not changed his mind.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/2182.html
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2006/09/18/webballen/

[Lawyer Mama]

Allison - I don't. His Senate campaign was when it actually came up. Trust me, I remember it all in great detail. It was hard to avoid living here in Virginia. But just because I don't agree with every view point he has, doesn't mean I don't think he's a straight talker. He is.

But he has tried pretty damn hard to improve life for military troops and their dependents, both now and when they come home. Unlike McCain, "let's keep 'em in longer to make them earn those benefits, never mind that *I* got them". See my post from a few weeks ago:
http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/05/lets-keep-em-po.html

One of the reasons he *is* a Senator from Virginia instead of the guy who lost is his conservatism in a few areas. He's pretty damn conservative for a Democrat. But aside from a few issues, he *is* a Democrat with our same ideals and belief systems. He just may help Obama win Virginia. Plus, he pisses off McCain on a regular basis, which is always a good thing in my book!