Maybe he wants to preserve his viability through his deniability.

What about Mark Warner?

I really don't buy this.  Even if Webb is convinced Obama can't win (which makes no sense whatsoever), running as veep would still boost his visibility/power.  And as veep he is on a fast track to run himself if he so chooses.  

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.)

“My favorite is our new governor [Former Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-La.)]. I don’t think I’m in the realm of possibility in any way, so I haven’t given it any thought.”

Really?

His Senate seat is sacred, they don't want him budging for awhile.

Psantillana: I have blogged before at TNR that Warner is a non - starter. He opted out of running for president before he opted in.  Next choice.

lymon, you err in ascribing a normal politician's ambition to Webb. He's an odd duck in that, while he is ambitious, he just doesn't seem to be into the gamesmanship of position and power like most. He has the kind of ego that is more satisfied by resigning in protest than being promoted. If Jim Webb says he's not interested in something, it's almost certainly because he's not interested in it. And why would he be? He has a Senate seat he didn't particularly want that's a short commute from his actual home, he's a bestselling author, he has a new baby, what does a VP run (or worse, the vice presidency itself) have to offer a relatively guileless fellow like Webb?

As for Warner, how often do the Virginians here have to repeat this: If Warner runs for VP, Democrats lose a Senate seat. Period. Look, I want Mark Warner to be in line for the presidency. I really do. If he would have run this year, I'd have been the pccostello of the Warner cause. But his road to the White House now goes through the Senate. And whether Obama wins or loses in November, Democrats need Warner in the Senate for filibuster-breaking (and possibly veto-overriding) purposes a hell of a lot more than anyone, including Obama, needs him on the ticket or in the Naval Observatory.

If McCain taps Vitter Obama should line up Spitzer, for probably the most awkward VP debate in the history of the Republic.

libref, when exactly did Warner "opt in" after he "opted out"? I've been following Warner since 2000, and I honestly am not aware of any post-opting-out opting in on his behalf.

I'd take Webb at his word (although I don't understand why he wouldn't want it- perhaps he enjoys the senate or wants to keep the VA sen seat for Dems. Perhaps he hates campaigning- who knows?). But my impression of him is that he's not particularly gifted at feigning much of anything.

I'd take Webb at his word (although I don't understand why he wouldn't want it- perhaps he enjoys the senate or wants to keep the VA sen seat for Dems. Perhaps he hates campaigning- who knows?). But my impression of him is that he's not particularly gifted at feigning much of anything.

Mice, I agree that he's not gifted at feigning much of anything, which would make me hesitant to choose him or veep. He's great in terms of being smart, Southern, white, military, etc, but the guy's a loose cannon.

Why did Mark Warner not run or pres? What was the final take on that?

Not everyone wants to be President.  And if you don't, then there's little reason to want to be VP, since the position itself is a very weak one.

Jim Webb?  Aw, c'mon.  You guys are going to put not one but TWO complete rookies on the ticket?  And unlike Obama, Webb is a lousy politician.  BTW, Webb served as Navy Sec under Reagan.  Except for his opposition to the Iraq War, what exactly makes him a Dem?  Substantively, I mean.

I don't think accepting the veep nod is hypocritical if you earlier decided not to run for president. First off, that criteria seemingly eliminates any potential veep who didn't run for president. But when did Warner settle on the Senate and bypass a presidential run - 18 months ago or something? A lot has changed since then. Hell, he probably thought there was no point in running since Hillary! seemed so inevitable .

Rhubarbs makes the point, though - it can't be Warner because that would be disturbing a sure Senate seat.

Edwards.

Rhubs -- no doubt, that's definitely my assumption (that Webb harbors ambitions) but I'd disagree with you that the VP is powerless: the last two were anything but, especially Cheney.  I don't think Obama would have any problem agreeing to give Webb some real responsibility.  

Rendell - but only if, like Kristin Davis and the alleged sex tape, he can plausibly deny that it was him in the You Tube clip praising Louis Farrakhan.

Rhubarbs: There was an entire article in the print version of TNR (it's an excellent magazine, check it out sometime) about Warner deciding not to run for president. That is what I was referring to. I waded through the press clippings about that event at the time, as well. Perhaps you weren't following Warner closely enough. I figured that his three teenage daughters were a major factor in his not running. In fact, I was hugely disappointed when he decided not to run because he was my candidate. Or maybe this was all an extended hallucination.

libref, that's what I'm referring to. I was there when Warner opted out of the race. (Literally; I was in the room for his announcement.) But you keep saying "he opted out before he opted in." What I'm asking you to explain is what you mean by saying he "opted in" after opting out. I honestly do not understand what you mean when you use that phrase, so I'm hoping you can enlighten me.

As for hoping for a Warner run, you and me both, libref. You and me both. But let's be clear: Warner did not say he would never seek the presidency. He said he would not do so in 2008.

Rhubarbs

It's my understanding that if Warner drops out as of the convention date, the senate race goes to a special election. Counting Warner out when there are a number of  popular Virginians who could win that seat from the disastrously unpopular Gilmore is a mistake - especially since he and Obama are a] political soul mates so to speak, and b] the ideal pair to snatch the Carolina's away from the GOP. Then there's the thing where it doesn't make sense for Obama not to pick the person most likely to inherit the democrat party from him.

Senate seat or no, you have to admit that Warner's the only option that 100% matches Obama's rationale.

yeah come on people, seriously. Webb is not VP material. Warner is not VP material. Kaine is not VP material. Let's move on to another state, shall we?

And Mark Warner is a one term governor who made a fortune speculating on cell phone licenses!!! the all inexperience team! please.

arson, I think Brad Henry is another option who 100 percent meets Obama's requirements. He's just not as well-known to Eastern journalists, and therefore to the Eastern-journalist-reading public like you and me, as Warner. Other than "independently wealthy," Henry has everything Warner offers, and then some.

As to the other Virginia Democrats who would likely win the Senate seat in November, please name them. I can only name three Democrats who have won statewide elections this decade: Warner, Kaine, and Webb. Gilmore isn't all that unpopular; he's just unpopular compared to Warner. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran could make a race of it, and might have good odds of winning, but neither would be a lock. Don Beyer might be an option, but he's the guy who lost to Gilmore for governor in the first place. I'm not sure a late-entry Senate run would be the right vehicle for Paul Fraim to seek statewide office.

butchie, he was a Republican on defense only, he is from the old Scoop Jackson type wing of the party

Rhubarbs: I was engaging in cheek - speak. I realize that Warner never entered the race. I would have thought that my words were transparent.