Senator Jim Webb is a rather interesting gentleman. He is unlike most of his counterparts in the United States Senate. Jim Webb is a Democrat from Virginia and complements Senator John Warner in a way that cannot be underestimated. Virginia as a State is in transition. Years ago during the Roosevelt and Truman years Virginia was a part of the "Solid South" for the Democrats. Then around forty years ago Virginia changed and became a solid Republican State. As we get closer to the date of the 2008 Presidential Election Virginia has a Democrat Governor and one Democrat U.S. Senator, Jim Webb. John Warner will be leaving the Senate next year after a distinguished thirty year career. John Warner's vacany will open the door for Mark Warner, former Governor of Virginia and no relation to John Warner. Mark Warner is a middle of the road moderate Democrat who was a very capable Governor. Well, back to Senator Jim Webb. The exchange between Jim Webb and Tim Russert was refreshing . Ideas were actually exchanged and points of view were articulated cogently by Senator Webb. Webb did acknowledge that President Bush's "surge" was in some ways having positive results. One can only specualte if the United States had entered Iraq with the proper level of forces to begin with, how many lives might have been saved and Iran might not be the force it has become. The fault clearly rests on the shoulders of the current "Commander in Chief". Bush listened to Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz which turned out to be chaotic for our mission. The point needs to be made here that the current Iraq Government does not want the United States to withdraw its forces from Iraq. If Bush did withdraw our forces, the current Government would collaspe and Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey would be left holding that "Hot Potato". Well, the United States has been in Korea since 1950 and we are still in Korea 57 years later. Even this scribe was a kid in 1950. It is my conclusion that the United States will be in Iraq for the forseeable future, probably at least until 2012. What we need in Government are more men like Jim Webb. He unstands war and its consequences. Jim Webb was in Vietnam. Senator Webb's son is currently a Marine serving in Iraq. Tim Russert tried more than a few times to get Jim Webb to commit that he would like to be the Vice President nominee to complement Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. I do think Webb would be an excellent choice as Vice President, with Barack Obama. If Jim Webb were to accept the VP spot with Hillary Clinton, Jim Webb 's talents would be wasted. Bill and Hillary would "gang up" on Webb and his talents would be wasted. The Political process is certainly fractured. There is no clear cut leader among the Republicans or Democrats. Think of Jim Webb as a no nonsense, smart, articulate, man who would be the right candidate for President in 2008. Jim Webb's problem is he does not have the "Party Machine" such as the Clinton's do. Our Country is clearly at the crossroads of relinquising our position as leader in the World to China or someone else. We as citizens and our children and grandchildren will be the losers if Hillary Clinton is Elected. Tim Russert met his match today. Senator Jim Webb could "out-debate" any of the present crop of candidates. Comments, opinions......................
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