Discussion: First Democrat Launches An Official 2016 Effort: Jim Webb

TPM Article Topics
21

I don’t know. Maybe it is the devil’s advocate thing in me, but it seems that a guy who can personally challenge the Reaganistas’ fetishes and fabrications about St. Ronald, a guy from a southern state, a combat Marine in Vietnam turned anti-war Democrat, and a man who served in the executive and legislative branches of government is not a bad choice. He may not be the progressive on all issues that many would prefer, but he could definitely be an attractive candidate to the white working class, maybe even the old southern Democrats.

He could select someone like Elizabeth Warren as a VP candidate. Warren would not only balance the ticket geographically (not that that matters much anymore), but ideologically, and she could be the first woman VP. She would definitely energize the Democratic base too.

1 Like
22

I think Hillary needs some real challengers, and Webb is a good foil on two levels - he can help temper her inherent hawkishness, and force her to sharpen her progressive economic message in contrast. I’m doing and apples and oranges thing with these two different comparisons - the point is Webb is closer to the Democratic center on foreign policy, and Hillary is closer on social and economic policy.

Ideally, she gets a strong challenge from the left as well. She, like any candidate, needs a level of testing, not a coronation.

1 Like
23

Vice versa, more likely.

24

“High profile”?