In case anyone has missed it, the Jim Webb for Vice President campaign is up and running.

Few candidates actually announce that they are running for the No. 2 spot on their party's presidential ticket, and the Democratic senator from Virginia is keeping with the "Who, me? Running with Barack Obama? Do you really think so?" etiquette that defines vice presidential politics.

But Webb is running... hard.

Ronald Reagan's former Secretary of the Navy's got a new campaign book out -- A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America -- and he is undoubtedly aware of the fact that he's currently topping salon.com's "Obama Veepstakes" survey.

But Webb -- whose carefully-nurtured blue-collar credentials are made to order for Democrats who worry about whether their presumptive presidential nominee might come off as a tad too elite -- is not leaving the promotion of his potential candidacy to others.

The Virginia senator's going for maximum face-time as the speculation turns to vice-presidential picks.

Webb's Senate office just circulated a schedule of his upcoming media appearances -- something they have rarely if ever done in the past.

And it's a busy one.

Here's where Webb will be on the broadcast and cable campaign trail over the next several days:

Sun, May 18: Meet the Press (NBC)

Tues, May 20: Lou Dobbs (CNN)

Watch for some heavy-duty good-old-boying on the last of those programs as Webb does his best to convince the Hillary-friendly host that an Obama-Webb ticket would be just the ticket for angry white men like, well, Lou Dobbs.

Comments (34)

1. I like Webb, and he's got good "cred" for Obama's Veep (Vietnam vet, SecNavy under REAGAN no less, Southern, etc.)

   I just wonder if a guy with even LESS Senate experience than Obama is the way to go.

   Not that it matters, word on the AM dial (aka Rush and Hannity) is that the Hard Right is all but resigned to Obama winning or even LETTING McCain lose and "letting Obama and the Dems ruin the country so the 'real' conservatives can come back in 2010-2012"

   Posted by Mask at 05/16/2008 @ 3:14pm

2. I still think that the most "audacious" approach to repairing the damage done by the current Administration would be through a bipartisan ticket, for which I think Susan Collins would make an excellent complement to Obama!

   Posted by smoliar at 05/16/2008 @ 3:48pm

3. i'm saying white non-hillary woman.

   it's more focused (grouped).

   the kansas lady.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 05/16/2008 @ 4:14pm

4. He would be a good pick, but not a great pick.

   Jim Webb would certainly put Virginia into play in November, and he certainly offers solid military credentials. His resignation for as an assistant secretary of the navy under Reagan for refusing to DECREASE the size of the Navy will certainly cause the defense lobby to have reason to be hopeful.

   I think this idea that Obama NEEDS military credentials with a VP pick is a typical DLC reaction to expected Republican attacks rather than a thoughtful analysis of where the voters will be in November.

   It's the economy, stupid!

   In November, most voters will be tired of +$4 gasoline and continued deterioration in our economy. Job losses, inflation, and housing woes will continue to be the most prominent issues on the voters' mind, and therefore selecting a VP with solid economic credentials will be more important than security credentials this time around.

   We also can't forget that the party has some serious healing to do after Hillary's prolonged Rovian-style campaign that sought to divide Democrats along sex, racial and class lines. Attempting to bring Democrats together to repair this damage must also be a major consideration in selecting a VP.

   My first choice is therefore Kathleen Sebelius who has proven to be capable in budgetary matters as governor of Kansas, and as a woman could bring back the older white women that Hillary has appealed to.

   She also could help put Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, and Nebraska into play, as these are all states that share a border with Kansas and have similar demographics.

   Kent Conrad of North Dakota would also be a great pick. He was right on Iraq, has solid economic and budgetary experience, and could put North Dakota, South Dakota Montana and Idaho into play in November.

   Posted by Metteyya at 05/16/2008 @ 5:00pm

5. Jim Webb caved on wire-tapping and, like McCain on torture, is a 24 carat phoney. Obama can do much better than a zero like Webb. Lets hope Webb's ambitions get derailed.

   Posted by john lowell at 05/16/2008 @ 5:13pm

6. I think that a very good choice for VP would be Mayor Bloomberg. That would be very reassuring for independents and a signal that the economy will be handled.

   Posted by Frank42 at 05/16/2008 @ 5:17pm

7. Someone please tell me Obama can do better than what John Nichols and the rest of this group have come up with? I mean, I'm a conservative, and even I can see none the names thrown out here envoking a gutrenching response, other than...eewww ick!! C'mon, Obama's "IT" factor isn't enough to win the WH. Come to think of it, neither is John McCain..eeewwww.

   Posted by ACook at 05/16/2008 @ 5:28pm

8. "We also can't forget that the party has some serious healing to do after Hillary's prolonged Rovian-style campaign that sought to divide Democrats along sex, racial and class lines.

   Posted by Metteyya at 05/16/2008

   Neither will the rest of the country.

   Posted by ACook at 05/16/2008 @ 5:42pm

9. mayor who?

   Posted by emile duBois at 05/16/2008 @ 5:45pm

10. I think that a very good choice for VP would be Mayor Bloomberg.

    Posted by Frank42

    but he's the <i>ELITE!!!!!!!</i>

    Friday, May 16, 2008 5:51:07 PM

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/16/2008 @ 5:45pm

11. Posted by ACook at 05/16/2008

    We are ready for Rove's divide America strategy in November, but were kind of surprised that Clinton's advisers were Karl Rove types in disguise.

    We had to handle Hillary with care because of the party unity issues we are now facing. McCain will not get the "handle with care" treatment AT ALL!!!

    Posted by Metteyya at 05/16/2008 @ 5:47pm

12. but he's the <i>ELITE!!!!!!!</i>

    Friday, May 16, 2008 5:51:07 PM

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/16/2008 | ignore this person

    a self made elite, an elite of enterprise and acumen, from modest circumstances, built the better mouse trap, bought his office, transformed his city with his prodigious energy and effort, not sneaking around with mistresses. a mensch.

    but not for vice pres. not a national figure. he should have someone who's an infighter in Washington, like Johnson to Kennedy. like LIEBERMAN

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/16/2008 @ 5:53pm

13. "McCain will not get the "handle with care" treatment AT ALL!!!"

    Posted by Metteyya at 05/16/2008

    Neither will Obama. And tt will be interesting to see how "gung ho" the dems will be if HRC is forced out of the race after June 3rd.

    Posted by ACook at 05/16/2008 @ 6:12pm

14. Wouldn't the first step in running for VP of Obama be ENDORSING Obama ?

    Posted by benjaminomeara at 05/16/2008 @ 6:32pm

15. Obama will make a "safe" pick.

    No Bloomberg....no Republican...no Independent....sorry, no woman....and likely nobody with less than 10 years in D.C. or a governor's mansion.

    Posted by Mask at 05/16/2008 @ 7:18pm

16. Posted by Mask at 05/16/2008

    Kent Conrad appears to be a fairly "safe" pick for a red state, and opposed the war in Iraq from the start like Obama. Also has international education like Obama, and serious economic and budget credentials.

    And he has more than 10 years experience in DC based on your criteria, although I am not sure that is a good thing for a "change from Washington politics as usual" ticket.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Conrad

    Posted by Metteyya at 05/16/2008 @ 7:31pm

17. Many fine points, and Jr. Senator Webb does not come out as much of an asset.

    Why not go the goatee, Gov. Bill Richardson. He has outreach power to Hispanics, foreign policy & diplomatic experience (much more crucial now than military bureaucracy loyalties), and understands energy politics.

    Our national survival depends on getting the energy thing right (like not wasting 10 trillion on foolish militarism).

    Posted by Truffledog at 05/16/2008 @ 8:22pm

18. what about chris dodd-- experienced, foreign policy expert, principled re fisa, labor ties-- ran a great campaign

    Posted by rosbrow at 05/16/2008 @ 9:03pm

19. I like Webb. But if it hasn't already been brought up, there's Webb's history of making some sexist remarks earlier in his career, and something to do with the Navy's Tailhook scandel that all came up during his run for the Senate. Although these things are small and pretty insignificant, and may not reflect his true feelings now, they may make him not the best person to help bring in all of Hillary's disgruntled fanatics.

    Kansas Gov Sebelius may be a good pick. I like the Senator Collins/crossing the aisle idea for further consideration as well. Otherwise, another prominent governor or supporter of Hillary in the primary might offer a good strategic move for Obama.

    Posted by JulesB at 05/16/2008 @ 10:45pm

20. like LIEBERMAN

    Posted by emile duBois

    have you been smokin' drain-o?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/16/2008 @ 11:59pm

21. Isn't Bloomberg pretty much party-line Republican on the war?

    Posted by Ham_I_Am at 05/17/2008 @ 12:23am

22. Webb is OK,He would stregnthen the ticket in several ways. What about General Clarke? These two choices would add stregnth to the ticket in regards to foreign policy and the military, which are considered to be Mccain's strong points.

    It's obvious that the GOPers are going to try and raise foreign policy and defense as an issue. They will try to portray Obama as inexperienced and weak in foreign affairs. Bush's "appeasement" smear, as well as Mccain's parroting the same, was just the beginning.

    Other ideas... I think Richardson is a solid choice; Joe Biden, although pro-war vote would cause problems.

    Posted by koroviev at 05/17/2008 @ 12:50am

23. Jim Webb is a superb choice for president....I mean veep. Having someone with real experience, real character, real gravitas, and real credibility just might convince me to vote for the ticket. Given Obama's personality or lack thereof, Webb would be de facto president anyway--Webb would be like Cheney but without all the evil. Our nation needs Webb (and maybe Obama as his frontman if that's what it takes to get Webb elected).

    Posted by feinfein at 05/17/2008 @ 01:13am

24. Richardson towers above all those mentioned here, in terms of what he ADDS to the ticket. He might well bring Texas back into the Dem column, with its many electoral votes, whereas none of the others mentioned here could deliver anything that Obama won't already attract.

    Historically, others have worked hard for the vp slot, most notably JFK in '56 to establish himself as presidential material.

    Posted by sloper at 05/17/2008 @ 08:40am

25. The success of any Democratic administration hinges on its ability to withdraw from Iraq without falling prey to the inevitable right-wing avalanche of jingoism every time a car bomb is detonated on its watch. Otherwise we get a one term Democrat and/or one who is a prisoner of Iraq and therefore unable to begin to undo a generation of Reagan/Bush rollback. On this basis alone, Jim Webb is worthy of serious consideration.

    Posted by mph716 at 05/17/2008 @ 09:02am

26. have you been smokin' drain-o?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 05/16/2008 | ignore this person

    no, banana skins.

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/17/2008 @ 09:45am

27. The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. A. E.

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/17/2008 @ 10:12am

28. "The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this. A. E."

    And who is it that you are trying to convince with this hateful screed, emile, yourself? Were it otherwise, why post it at all? You'd thought this was the Gallup Poll, that the nation was interested in determining how many adolescents were out there?

    Posted by john lowell at 05/17/2008 @ 10:54am

29. okayfinebyme.

    Nothing like fresh blood. From what I've been read on Webb over the last year, he seems to be someone with a point of view that not afraid speak out on, and handles himself diplomatically and responsibly. He exhibits an energy Democrats haven't shown since Kennedy. It would be an interesting ticket.

    What one has to ask ... do you want someone for the Veep position who draws in specific states,ethnics, and peoples, or someone who appeals to a broad spectrum of people in all states that can find common ground regardless of borders by set by state, race or ethnics?

    I personally think Webb is a bold choice...he raw and green but definitely many steps ahead of the contenders . He brings a new energy to the platform that many of those in contention have played out over the years in their political careers. For example, Richardson would prove to be a formidable Sec of State. And many Governors, Congressmen and Senators looing to be a part of the new Administration would find their talents expertize well spent and appreciated shoring up domestic shortcomings - roads, bridges, roads and highways, housing, poverty and so forth - throughout the Nation thanks to the sheer neglect of Bu$h and the repugs.

    Posted by Tahut at 05/17/2008 @ 11:01am

30. Posted by john lowell at 05/17/2008 | ignore this person

    I have credited this quote. you can also look it up.

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/17/2008 @ 11:02am

31. Webb's clearly the most exciting possibility on the list. He's gutsy, moderate, populist - and would pretty much wipe out McCain's security cred. As much as I respect Richardson, he's a mediocre campaigner, and not all that good in debates. Someone mentioned Liebermann. Were you joking???

    Posted by Mecklen at 05/17/2008 @ 4:51pm

32. Someone mentioned Liebermann. Were you joking???

    Posted by Mecklen at 05/17/2008 | ignore this person

    yes

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/17/2008 @ 5:48pm

33. It depends on Obama's general election strategy.

    Webb would be good for a more traditional Mid-west strategy (Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota) bolstered by picking off a Southern state or two (Virginia, North Carolina, maybe more if Bob Barr gains momentum). He appeals to white, blue-collar types, the so-called "Hillary Democrats" who respond to economic populism despite more conservative social views.

    Richardson would also be complimentary to Obama but would appeal mostly to Western voters, where there are great opportunities in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and even Texas (some polls show it could be competitive - and increased Latino turnout could help with an upset against Cornyn, who is vulnerable).

    Potential problems are that Webb is not an experienced politician and a little bit of loose cannon which, while appealing, is also dangerous. He could cause some gaffes that would be a drag on the ticket (re: Bill "black voters don't really count" Clinton).

    With Richardson, you'd have some people uncomfortable (an African-American and a Latino is well beyond some people's comfort zones - Lou Dobbs' and Bill O'Reilly's heads would explode) and if you've ever seen Bill Richardson campaign, gaffes are not uncommon but no reporters are awake to report them.

    Kathleen Sebelius is an interesting choice and would help with women, I'm sure, but is a fairly dull campaigner and I don't see Kansas in play.

    My governor, Strickland, doesn't have military or foreign policy credibility and is not exactly the most charismatic figure, but Ohio is crucial.

    I guess we should just tune in and see how Jim Webb does promoting his book. If the book sells, maybe the Democratic ticket would, too...

    Posted by Brendan M. at 05/17/2008 @ 6:00pm

34. Cheney set the bar awfully low as far as charisma is concerned.

    Posted by emile duBois at 05/17/2008 @ 8:16pm