This news really sucks for Dems! As we all know, Obama sorely needs someone with military chops, Appalachian chops, and/or foreign policy chops. With Webb's departure from the Veepstakes, Obama's mantra should be "Biden or bust".

Hillary's bust??

Too bad. Webb would have made a good selection and balance the ticket.

LOL

Sebelius's bust?

but wasn't sure of his progressive stance on issues...that was my major point of pause with him.

I still like Clark...I really like Biden but I cannot imagine it. Richardson would be perfect with only a few problems...but a total minority ticket may be too much for people to handle.

Biden?

Clark?

I expect these types of "statements" to be coming out more often (about every couple weeks) until the mid-august announcement. We'll all know how it will be by then by lack of a "statement" about NOT being VP.

Perhaps the departure of Webb from the veep race paves the way for current Virginia governor Tim Kaine (an Obama friend with family ties to Barack's mother's ancestral home in Kansas) or former Gov. Mark Warner.

Though I still think Biden's a more solid choice when you're considering who you'd want to actually have governing should he have to god forbid step in.

The thing I've been wondering, concerning Webb, is why the hell has the Obama campaign not been nailing McCain repeatedly for being against Webb's G.I. bill that Bush was recently forced to sign. They should be hammering him non-stop for that from now until election day. It hits him in so many ways: His image as being the better leader for the military and veterans, the lack of judgment involved in being against it, and the fact that when a truly bipartisan bill was finally passed by such a large margin that Bush was *forced* into signing it, McCain chose ultra-partisanship and loyalty to Bush over doing the right thing for vets. (Not to mention the typical Washington game-playing (and lying) of Bush trying to make it seem like he and McCain worked hard *for* the bill all along.)

I was kind of hoping Webb might be VP so this could be front and center, but there's no reason the Obama camp couldn't still be out with this every day right now. C'mon, Obama campaign, get your shit together on this!

I assume that Webb's statement was made with the Obama camps knowledge, consent, and probably encouragement. Perhaps Webb was taken off the short list, and offered this as a graceful out-- since he's been seen as the front-runner for the nod, it makes sense.

If I were betting on this, I'd put Sebalius and Biden at the top of the list now. I have to believe that Clinton is done (the buzz that it would have generated expired a few weeks ago), as is, sadly, Clark. Richardson is a good long-shot. Dumb money may follow Edwards.

Too bad we won't be learning about it during the fall.

History shows the Republican leadership is quite happy to make up allegations (has McCain seen his black child lately, BTW?). It's quicker than actually doing research, and the party faithful like yourself are more than happy to gulp down the lies because you enjoy hating so much more than thinking.

Speaking of which, I'll let you get back to mourning your Republican idol, Jesse Helms, now.

Every other Vice President is a do nothing job that anyone, anyone could do.

why the hell has the Obama campaign not been nailing McCain repeatedly for being against Webb's G.I. bill that Bush was recently forced to sign. They should be hammering him non-stop for that from now until election day. It hits him in so many ways: His image as being the better leader for the military and veterans, the lack of judgment involved in being against it, and the fact that when a truly bipartisan bill was finally passed by such a large margin that Bush was *forced* into signing it, McCain chose ultra-partisanship and loyalty to Bush over doing the right thing for vets.

Because doing so would backfire in a huge manner.

The Bill itself was wrong and harmful to the military. The better Bill would have granted more benefits based on time served, and thus continue to reward service which is vital to the building of the NCO corps.

BTW, there is nothing non-partisan in supporting a bill that a huge number on both sides support. Non partisan means supporting bills that the other side supports and yours does not.

True bi-partisanship requires risk to working with the other side, not voting on Bills with overwhelming support.

A half black man and the rpoud son of confederates. Much safer this way. The south will nto raise again. Somebody tell the brutus's. if you want to burn a flag burn of the cofederate traitor flags. Not that webb is like his forfathers. he seems to be a good guy. I'm just saying

Watching people twist themselves into knots everytime another candidate pulls out of this VP race is almost becoming entertaining.

First Ricahrdson was the sure thing, then Carville crucified him. Then it was Hillary Clinton no matter what, until the Obama campaign leaked they didn't really want her. Then Ted Strickland for Ohio or Rendell for PA. Both pulled themselves out.

Then it was the Virginia twins Warner and Webb, both of whom have now pulled themselves out of contention. The fact that people could still ignore what's so plainly in front of their nose is kind of funny. But whatever.

As a Virginian I am happy Webb is out of the running. Webb is a loose cannon who is not a very dynamic campaigner. His stances on issues have really not been especially Democratic or progressive. I think he would have been a terrible choice for VP.

He would have been perfect. National security experience, Secretary of the Navy, son in Iraq Nam, and doesn't take any poo from the likes of Bushit. Very disappointing...