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November 30, 2006
Webb Watch I
"Webb Watch" Kind of has a nice ring to it. I have a funny feeling that there may be many more installments ahead.
I wouldn't be writing about Senator-elect Jim Webb except that I live in Virginia. I spent most of my time this campaign season out working for Frank Wolf (R VA-10), but one day did a lit drop for George Allen.
So here's the latest about our Senator-to-be, from the Washington Post (hat tip Power Line)
At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia's newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn't long before Bush found him."How's your boy?" Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq.
"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.
"That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?"
"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House.
Try to be nice to him and he acts like a jerk.
But this isn't the first time he's behaved this way.
Power Line reports that in 1997 he said this about then President Clinton:
"I cannot conjure up an ounce of respect for Bill Clinton when it comes to the military. Every time I see him salute a Marine, it infuriates me. I don't think Bill Clinton cares one iota about what happens in a military unit."
Power Line reminds us that he had no problem in having Bill Clinton come down to Virginia to campaign for him. Yet he once called Clinton's administration "the most corrupt in modern memory".
So he's both an opportunist and rude. Oh but in the same Post article, Senator Shumer assures us that Webb "really has deep convictions." We shall see. He's certainly not off to a godd start.
For Additional Reading
George Will takes down Jim Webb as only a master writer can do. In an editorial titled "
Webb conveys the message of a boor " Will starts off
That was certainly swift. Washington has a way of quickly acculturating people, especially those who are most susceptible to derangement by the derivative dignity of office. But Jim Webb, Democratic senator-elect from Virginia, has become a pompous poseur and an abuser of the English language before actually becoming a senator.
Read the whole thing.
I have a feeling that Jim Webb is going to provide a lot of material over the next six years.
Posted by Tom at November 30, 2006 9:00 PM
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Comments
What exactly was "nice" about the way Bush treated Webb? Bush knows Webb holds him responsible for the war. He also knows Webb's son is in a combat zone. He probably knew that Webb's son had recently been in a battle during which three of his platoon mates were killed (hard to believe the President doesn't have people keeping track of high-ranking politicians' military kids), and he should have known that Webb almost never talks about his family; is in fact a very private man. Notwithstanding that Webb avoided Bush all evening, Bush tracked him down and asked him a personal question about his son. Webb responded with a general answer which anyone with a brain could see was broadcasting that he did not want to discuss his son. Bush then says "that's not what I asked. I asked how's your boy." There is no way that it was not a rude demand that Webb answer a personal question. To demand it of an anxious father whose son is in a battle zone created by the questioner is the height of obnoxiousness.
As for Will the "master writer", first he deleted the whole "that's not what I asked" statement from his account in order to make his account appear more credible. In other words, he lied. Then he attacked Webb for "boorishness" and being a "pompous poseur" and a bad editorial writer all in the same night. Which is it? Is Webb a boor or a pompous poseur? He can't be both. As for the writing, Will was so obsessed with his rather inaccurate and overly-restrictive definitions of "literally" and "infinitely", he had no time to talk of the substance of Webb's article. In short, it was an ad hominem attack from every direction on Webb.
Posted by: Carla at December 1, 2006 2:33 PM
Like you know Tom, what I said in my post about Webb I ditto the same sentiment here. He is a real piece of work.
And Carla, what about some respect for the "office of President" like in years gone by? They respected the office by refraining to be rude to the president-to set a good example for all Americans.
But I suppose that is too novel a notion for the likes of this generation of "if I do not like you--I feel like punching you."
Webb is going to be a real firecracker!
Posted by: Layla at December 1, 2006 5:53 PM
Tom ,very well said. Being involved in politics for the past several years, this is common practice, not wanting to be seen or photographed with an 'enemy'. Although respect for the President should go without saying. What I find disgraceful about Webb is he used his son's military service (who ENLISTED) as a campaign tool. Not very 'private' of him. It would have been rude of President Bush had he NOT asked about Webb's son but of course liberals see his concerns as rude and obnoxious. Carla, Webb's son ENLISTED which means to join freely.When people join the military,they are trained for war. In war people die. Your excuses for Webb's behavior sounds like the typical media talking points. No one is wrong except for BUSH!
Webb is like the bully who throws a rock and breaks a window to prove himself. Now all the leaders of the gang will know he is part of them.
Posted by: Linda at December 2, 2006 10:44 AM
I was going to respond to dear Carla, but it looks like Layla and Linda have the situation well in hand.
Posted by: Tom the Redhunter at December 2, 2006 8:19 PM
