The political world is mildly stirred by the possibility that former Sen. Jim Webb might, at some future date, decide whether to run for the Democratic presidential nomination:
“I am seriously looking at the possibility of running for president, but we want to see if there’s a support base from people who would support the programs that we are interested in pursuing,” he said in an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington.
Webb, who in 2012 chose not to seek a second six-year term in the Senate, said he has been involved in discussions “among people that I respect and trust about the future of the country” and that he will continue having such discussions over the next four or five months.
“We’re taking a hard look, and we’ll get back to you in a few months.”
There’s no harm in Webb floating the idea — it helps him sell books. Plus, it has the added benefit of giving Democrats who are less than thrilled by the idea of a second Hillary Clinton run for the nomination hope for an alternative.
It also gives reporters a reason to call Mudcat Saunders:
“He’s regal, almost,” Mudcat Saunders says of former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb.
“And I’m not talking about in the sense of a King Arthur or that type of regal,” Saunders went on. “He’s redneck regal. He really is.”
Quotable, as always.
But this is also one of the problems with a national Webb candidacy. Can a “redneck,” however “regal” in the eyes of some admirers, win the nomination? I tend to doubt it. There is also Webb’s general attitude toward politics and campaigning:
[Webb] also claims he actually doesn’t dislike campaigning, as most people believe, but it’s clear he’s focused on the “need to govern” and “to solve problems.”
I don’t doubt him on either count. But a presidential run is non-stop campaigning. Opportunities to solve any problems not connected to the campaign, let alone govern, are nil.
That’s why I believe Webb will not seek the nomination. But he is auditioning for a major role, either as a vice presidential pick, or a cabinet post, in a Democratic administration.
Until then, enjoy the book tour, Mr. Webb. And if you find the time, tell Mudcat to climb that telephone pole across from his house and sit there until you say otherwise…
