Gerald Pomper, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Rutgers: Webb adds the most to the ticket

[Douglas Carpenter]

For the record: Sen. Webb is not my personal first choice, Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana is. However, I have gathered from my own reading and research that there is considerably more buzz going around about Sen. Webb - and he is in fact almost certainly at the very top of the short list.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_gerald_m_pomper/obama_s_vice_president

"Virginia Senator James Webb should be the Democratic candidate for vice-president."

snip:"Webb fits Obama's true needs. The Illinois Senator's greatest deficiency is his lack of experience in foreign policy and military security. Clinton has made that her chief point of attack -- as in the now-classic "3 A.M. telephone" ad -- and this area is obviously McCain's greatest strength. There is no way for Obama to match McCain, even if he could manufacture some "sniper fire," but the right running mate could give him a measure of credibility, in much the same way as Cheney helped Bush.

Webb is a former Navy officer and Vietnam veteran (exactly matching McCain), and a former Secretary of the Navy bringing directly relevant executive experience. He won four military medals in Vietnam, and was wounded twice, a record that, along with awards from the American Legion and VFW, would repel attacks by SwiftBoaters. His term at the Pentagon came under Ronald Reagan, when Webb was a Republican, an advantage in Obama's effort to achieve a new electoral coalition. With this military background, he reinforces the Democrats' case against the Iraqi intervention, a position he has articulated from the beginning of the war and with particular force, including a direct confrontation with President Bush at a White House reception. As a novelist, non-fiction author and Emmy-winning television reporter, he also shows intellectual distinction.

Webb also would bring specific political advantages to the Democratic ticket. His rural roots, vigorous language and championing of working class values would compensate for Obama's evident weaknesses among these voters. Webb provides a populist platform on corporate regulation, trade, taxation and health care that would further extend the party's appeal to its lower-income base. Born in Missouri, educated in Nebraska, California and the Naval Academy in Maryland, he encapsulates a national electoral appeal. Finally, to the limited extent that state residence matters, he would help to switch Virginia into the Democratic column for the first election since 1964.

Webb may have some deficiencies as a candidate, related to sexist writings done thirty years ago and his occasional indelicate language. He, and Obama, would need to make special efforts to clear those hurdles to bring women voters back into the Democratic fold. They can succeed by emphasizing the evident differences between them and McCain on both economic and social policies, as well as the Iraq war.

On his own, we can expect Webb to outshine any of the pallid Republicans being considered for the McCain ticket, to close the party's "security gap," and to provide the necessary appeal to white male voters. For Senator Obama, Webb's selection would show both audacity and hope. "

Gerald Pomper is the Board of Governors Professor of Political Science (Emeritus) at Rutgers University. He has written extensively on U.S. politics, including seven quadrennial books on presidential elections since 1976.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_gerald_m_pomper/obama_s_vice_president

[Douglas Carpenter]

1. Comparing the Senate voting records of Sen. Obama, Sen. Webb and Sen. McCain

Sen. Webb has not been my first choice for the Vice Presidential nomination. However, it is clear from a wide variety of insider sources that he is near the top of the short list of those being considered.

Rasmussen Reports rates him as probably the potential candidate who would stategically add the most to the ticket:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_gerald_m_pomper/obama_s_vice_president

At first I was a bit skeptical of him. But after taking a closer look, I have to admit being somewhat impressed.

My most important reason from my point view is that his writings while teaching at the Naval War College in Monterey, California reveal that he is a foreign policy realist and pragmatist and thus not the sort to rush into ill advised military interventions. Equally important he shares with Sen. Obama the sense of importance with opening dialog with adversaries and making a sincere effort at diplomacy in resolving conflict.

But, just how liberal is he on other issues? I would have to say, more than I thought:


First, here is just one example: In 2007 The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law gave Senator Webb a grade of A+.

Here are some more along with a comparison with Sen. Obama’s and Sen. McCain’s record:

All figures are interest group ratings from 2007.:

The link for Sen. McCain's ratings on Project Vote Smart:

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=53270&type=category&category=45&go.x=10&go.y=12

The link for Sen. Obama's ratings on Project Vote Smart:

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=9490

The link for Sen. Webb’s ratings on Project Vote Smart:

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=60043

Abortion Issues

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Obama a grade of 100.

2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Webb a grade of 100.

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator McCain a grade of 0.

_________________________________

Civil Rights and Human Rights Issues

2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Obama a grade of 80.

In 2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Webb a grade of 71.

2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator McCain a grade of 50.
______________________________________________________________

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 85 percent in 2007

Senator Webb supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 85 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 15 percent in 2007.
________________________________________________________________________

Conservative Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 7 percent in 2007.

2007 Senator Webb supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 16
percent in 2007

Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 80 percent in 2007.
_______________________________________________________________________

Education Issues

In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator Obama a grade of A.

In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator Webb a grade of A.

In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator McCain a grade of F.
________________________________________________________________________

Environmental Issues

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Obama received a rating of 67.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Webb received a rating of 87.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 0.
______________________________________________________________

Family and Children Issues

In 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator Obama received a rating of 60.

In 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator Webb received a rating of 90.

In 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 10.
________________________________________________________
(The Family Research Council is an extremely right-wing organization found and lead by Dr. Richard Dobson)

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator Obama a grade of 0.

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator Webb a grade of 0.

In 2007 Family Research Council gave Senator McCain a grade of 42.
_______________________________________________________________

Foreign Aid and Policy Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 81 percent in 2007

Senator Webb supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 72 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 0 percent in 2007.

______________________________________________________________________.

Health Issues

Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007.

Senator Webb supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007..

Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 0 percent in 2007
_____________________________________________________________________

Labor

Senator Obama supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007.

Senator Webb supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 2007.
______________________________________________________________________

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 75 percent in 2007.

Senator Webb supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 75 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2007.
________________________________________________________________________

Liberal

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 75 percent in 2007

Senator Webb supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 85 percent in 2007.

Senator McCain supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 10 percent in 2007.

[featherman]

3. I'm not too hot on "another Senator" but the Prof and your links make a good case

[tishaLA]

2. If you're worried about the women's vote, he'd be bad

He doesn't have a great record on women's issues and, allegedly, has written things in his novels that would come back to haunt him in a big campaign.

[sandnsea]

7. He led on Women's Rights in the Navy

Please stop beating the man with right wing garbage that was thrown at him in his campaign. He wrote one stupid article in the 70's, and more then made up for it afterwards.

"The women spoke eloquently and forcefully of their support for Jim Webb as a "man of integrity and vision" who has the "deepest respect for everyone." They also praised Webb as someone who, by opening billets as Navy Secretary to women in the Navy, started a "ripple effect" on all the services that was "crucial" and "has to be emphasized." According to Kate Wilder, "Jim Webb started the ball rolling and that's big."

"Barbara Brehm declared that George Allen's negative ads about Jim Webb and women are "bogus." She talked about how Jim had taken the lead in setting up a "women in the Navy" study group, in putting "no restrictions on that group," and in accepting all the groups' recommendations. Brehm thanked Jim for providing "genuine career opportunities" to women when he was Navy Secretary. Brehm asserted that military women have "moved beyond Jim Webb's Washington article" and are more concerned with electing a leader who will focus on "current issues."

http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5203

[tishaLA]

9. Look, if you want to defend his record vis-a-vis feminism, go ahead

I don't know that you're wrong. But I DO know it's a battle I'd rather not re-fight now that the primary season is over and I know that articles named "Women Can't Fight" are ammunition we don't really need right thrown at us right now. I am also not crazy about the idea of defending some of his fiction.

[sandnsea]

10. Everybody has something, one article is nothing

Compared to his actual record of accomplishment, which came from women in the Navy, not me.

Who are you pushing for VP?

[tishaLA]

13. I'm not really pushing anyone.

I think there are lots of good choices and Webb is certainly among them. I am just disinclined to pull scabs off healing wounds.

[sandnsea]

14. Apparently choosing any woman would be a slap in the face

too, so I don't know who we're supposed to choose since I suspect every man has made a sexual joke or remark about a woman at some point in their life. Frankly I think Hillary's supporters need to grow up or shut up, I'm sick of the emotional blackmail.

[40ozDonkey]

4. Webb is one of many names I'd be happy with.

So many different people can help in so many ways.
I'm leaning towards a Gov, but happy with whatever.

[TexasObserver]

5. Webb is definitely on the short list, for all those reasons.

[izzybeans]

6. I've never understood having a military background and even a highly decorated one at high levels =

foreign policy experience. I like Webb where he is.

Is this our image of the world? A terrain to be patrolled by scope and barrel?

There is much more to do in the world than military matters.

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. Sen. Webb is an absolute un-Neocon -- he very much understands the limitations of military power

Sen. Webb is absolutely passionate about avoiding the use of military intervention except as the last, last, last, last resort.

Sen. Webb actually understands that many of America's problems in the Middle East and around the world are either caused by or exacerbated by foolish policy decisions.

[TahitiNut]

11. (Oh, lord.) Try thinking about it this way ....

The people sent into "harm's way" are the most likely to know, up close and personal, the toll of having an inept and idiotic foreign policy. The folks who bear the greatest burden of a Chief Executive acting as a global rent-a-cop for corporate interests are the ones who best comprehend Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex. There's not a single military death in Iraq that's made an American family safer. Not one. We who served in Viet Nam knew that we were doing what the American people allowed ... and it was THEIR job to decide where and when we'd serve. That comprehension - gut-level - serves us better than some wannabe CEO.

[izzybeans]

12. That mentality has not served us well in the past. Why will it work now?

It's a gross over-generalization.