Obama-Webb 2008

Now that just about everyone has finally figured out that Senator Barack Obama is the right leader for America at the this crucial moment in our history and that he is going to be the Democratic Party's nominee for president in 2008, we can now turn to the issue of who might make the best running mate.

It is guaranteed that John McCain's campaign will take a page from the George W. Bush-Karl Rove playbook and "Swift Boat" Obama as "unfit" to be Commander-in-Chief just as they did to John Kerry in 2004.

The Mayberry Machiavellians who run McCain's slime machine will attempt to paint a picture in the minds of voters of Obama as being an effete, "out of touch," arugula-chomping civilian who doesn't have the mettle to inspire the troops and keep American safe and secure.

McCain has nothing else to run on.

McCain is playing the role a vice president would normally play: Running for Bush's third term. But since Dick Cheney is far too odious to run in his own right McCain has leapt for the chance. He is running for more war, more tax breaks for the rich, more $4-a-gallon gas, and more lobbyists drawing up our public policy in Washington.

Obama can blunt the McCain-Rove plan of attack by shoring up his Commander-in-Chief credentials with a running mate whose military bona fides are beyond reproach.

Who would be a better choice to stymie McCain's "weak on national security" narrative than a running mate who served as President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of the Navy?

The junior Senator from Virginia, James Webb, was swept into the Senate with other Democratic critics of the Iraq occupation in 2006 -- defeating Republican George "Macaca-Boy" Allen. Webb is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who served as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps until 1972 and is a decorated Vietnam veteran (just like McCain). He has a Navy Cross, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. And unlike John Kerry in 2004, "Swift Boating" Webb won't be an easy task for three reasons: 1). We've seen that movie before; 2). Obama is not John Kerry; and 3). To smear Webb would call into question the judgment of the Gipper himself. I would like to see John McCain go to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley and tell the Republican faithful that their iconic leader chose a latte-drinking pansy to serve as the civilian head of the U.S. Navy.

Senator Webb called Bush's invasion of Iraq "the greatest strategic blunder in modern memory." He has a son in the Marines who served honorably in Iraq, and he holds spots on several defense-related Senate committees including the Armed Services Committee. He also serves with Obama on the Foreign Relations Committee. In the Senate he has been a tireless advocate for veterans and has called for an orderly withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

Not only could Webb nullify McCain's attacks on Obama as "soft" on defense, he is from Virginia, which is a swing state that could help Obama win in November.

There might be other choices for running mate who could help Obama in a key state or two or shore up his response to McCain's inevitable smears, but for now James Webb appears to be the wisest choice. If Webb forfeited his Senate seat to become Obama's running mate Virginia's Democratic Governor Tim Kaine could appoint an interim replacement and protect the Democrats' majority in the Senate.

 

Follow Joseph A. Palermo on Twitter: www.twitter.com/N/A

Comments

[akhinaten]

The bet would be to sacrifice the white working class race-voters and pick Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez which will give him a man with military experience and a anti Iraq war veteran + he is from Texas the Black+ Latino population of Texas is 52% so if he gets 80% of the Hispanic vote and 20% of the white vote and 93% of the black vote Obama would win Texas giving him 35 EV Texas is bigger then Penn and it would also help in New Mexico 5 EV and Nevada and maybe even Florida .


Obama/ Sanchez the new “western-strategy “ against the old “southern-strategy”

[Doofus]

If the election is to hinge on economics, which would certainly make more sense if you
figure in the Repos' weird dependency on inflating the national debt to keep the US afloat,
there will still be a big military component to it. Someone like Webb would seemingly add
to the Demo's credibility in that area. So Webb deserves very close consideration.

Problem is that it's the President who's the C-in-C, not the VP. That's the same difficulty
that Hillary Clinton has. You can't turn over that responsibility to your VP. So, having a
VP with 'military clout' is something of a negative under the circumstances. Personally,
I think Obama should take a VP with experience as a Governor, or someone who can
be seen as an Elder Statesman, rather than one who undercuts the military experience
(or lack thereof).

[PFHarlock]

Last night my wife and I settled on Jim Webb as Barack Obama's best choice for VP, for many of the same reasons mentioned in this piece.; An impressive military record, administrative experience as Secretary of the Navy, his seat will remain in Democrat hands, the Ronald Regan connection, etc.

Some positives on the image front not mentioned are his tough-guy soldier demeanor (he has a haircut you can set your watch by) sure to be popular with guys, pulling some over from the Republicans, and intimidating to his opponents (he could kill any of us with his bare hands and seems like he wouldn't hesitate to do it). His testosterone would benefit the ticket..

[RabidRightRebel]

I am afraid I have to disagree. This election, like all elections in recent history is going to be determined by economics. Sadly the American electorate is simply too selfish to care about anything but their own financial well being. In fact I would argue that the main reason why previous supporters of the war are now concerned about the war is because of the financial drain on the U.S. economy.

Given the financial catastrophe that the Bush Administration will leave behind, the best running mate would be someone who has impeccable economic credentials. That is why I support Warren Buffet for Vice President. If anyone can help get us out of this mess it is Buffet and the added benefit is that the Republicans would have know idea how to attack a man of his standing.

Obama/Buffet 08

[PFHarlock]

Warren Buffet... I have to admit, I think that's a fascinating idea... But one thing is... he's 77 years old. Maybe for a term, but even that's pushing it. And would he accept? I can definitely see a cabinet position, again, if he'd take the job.

[JimR]

Sounds like a very risky strategy. Another terrorist attack, and voters would go running to McCain. The economy is also obviously a top issue, but Obama HAS to counter that illusion of safety Republicans offer.

[Frank Dwyer - Huffpost Blogger]

It's a winning ticket and this is a typically smart post, but . . . Webb voted for the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 and he then for telecom immunity. If you believe as I do that the basically unopposed slide of the country into fascism is by far the most important issue, trumping even the war and the economy, then it's hard not to be anxious putting even such an attractive and upright moderate a heartbeat away. I want to believe Webb gets it, but I wish he hadn't cast those votes.

[FogBelter]

Dead on, Mr. Palermo ... Obama-Webb 08 is exactly what is needed. Talk about a Man of principle ... while McCain has no problem, literally and figuratively, embracing George W. Bush ... Senator Webb held "W" in such contempt he wouldn't even shake his hand.

Webb is a bulldog, a war hero, and compliments what Obama brings to the contest.

This has got to be the Democratic Party Ticket.

[OverIt]

I'm all for this ticket! Obama-Webb 08! Once upon a time, I thought Obama-Edwards, but I'm over it. No pun intended.