Jim Webb not seeking re-election; why not?

He doesn't say why, at least not in this story, but it doesn't really surprise me. And, yeah, I'd agree that Tim Kaine is the likely Dem frontrunner — if he's interested. He may well not be.

I suspect that, although he doesn't expressly identify as a Blue Dog, the former Republican has some social issues with Obama, and, at the same time, he may have some civil libertarian issues with him, too. After all, that was a part of his 2006 campaign.

Shorter Jim Webb: Obama doesn’t want me

Jim Webb’s “I’m removing myself from consideration” comment is what ANY vice-presidential candidate says when they realize, for whatever reason, they’re not getting traction.

In spades, it’s what any VP candidate like Webb says, after extensively polishing their own apple and realizing they’re not getting traction.

Now, Webb can go back to providing Obama flak on some military issues while allowing some Democrats to continue to indulge the idea that if they would just embrace their inner Bubba, they would win some red states.

Biden, Levin already wrong on Gates; Webb right

Sens. Joe Biden and Carl Levin sound like they’re full steam ahead on considering Bob Gates’ nomination to succeed Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense NOW rather than waiting.

Sen.-elect James Webb, who went through Senate confirmation himself as Navy Secretary under Ronald Reagan, has it right:

I believe that the new Senate should be the body that examines Bob Gates' qualifications for confirmation.

It’s not like the lame-duck Congress is going to significantly impact events in Iraq, nor is a new Defense Secretary going to do too much too soon. And, despite President Bush’s fine words at his press conference, it’s not likely he’s going to sign on the Congressional dotted line on Iraq ― whatever that may turn out to be ― anyway.

Let’s wait.