Breaking News: Now, Jim Webb takes himself off Obama's VP list

Jim Webb, the Virginia senator and former Republican who packs his own heat most places, has withdrawn himself from consideration as Barack Obama's Democratic vice presidential running mate.

In a statement released moments ago, Webb said: "Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country.

"Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

Webb joins Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland as firmly removing himself from consideration as the Democratic No. 2. Strickland, you may recall, was and presumably still is a staunch supporter of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and helped deliver a lopsided Ohio primary win to her column this spring.

Strickland, whose Buckeye State will be crucial in determining the presidential winner Nov. 4, was equally unequivocal: "If drafted, I will not run; nominated, I will not accept; and if elected, I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be," he said in early June.

Webb had once been considered a possible candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination himself. His vice presidential potential stems from his proven political crossover appeal in another important state that has been trending Democratic in recent elections.

His statement today also said: 

"A year and a half ago, the people of Virginia honored me with election to the U.S. Senate. I entered elective politics because of my commitment to strengthen America's national security posture, to promote economic fairness, and to increase government accountability.

"I have worked hard to deliver upon that commitment, and I am convinced that my efforts and talents toward those ends are best served in the Senate."

Webb also promised to campaign hard for the Democratic presidential ticket this fall.

For the complete text of Webb's statement, click on the Read More line below.

--  Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Getty Images

The complete text of Sen. Webb's statement follows:

"Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President. 

"A year and a half ago, the people of Virginia honored me with election to the U.S. Senate. 

"I entered elective politics because of my commitment to strengthen America's national security posture, to promote economic fairness, and to increase government accountability. I have worked hard to deliver upon that commitment, and I am convinced that my efforts and talents toward those ends are best served in the Senate.

"In this regard, the bipartisan legislative template we were able to put into effect through 18 months of work in order to enact the new, landmark GI Bill will serve as a prototype for my future endeavors in government. 

"This process, wherein we brought 58 Senators from both parties to the table as co-sponsors, along with more than 300 members of the House, gives me renewed confidence that the Congress can indeed work effectively across party lines and address the concerns of our citizens.

"At this time I am also renewing my commitment to work hard to make sure that Senator Obama wins both Virginia and the presidency this November. He is a man who speaks eloquently about our national goals and calls for the practical solutions that must be put into place to obtain them. I will proudly campaign for him."

Comments

[Seni]

Good move Jim Webb.
Don't do what Barack Obama did. After he got elected senator, he started running for president after 1 year. I praise senator Webb for sticking to his commitment to continue to be a senator and learn how he can better serve the people. This shows good character and respect for the people who just voted for him.

[Greg]

Seni... you can give that a rest my friend.
When you are called upon to serve you serve.
This is what Obama is doing. And you might want to get your years correct too.

Funny, I haven't heard anyone from his service area complain, unless you are from there and would be the first.

If you are not why are you complaining?
Republican or RepubliClinton? LOL!

[Vote Hillary]

Maybe they know something we all don't ,it's odd how they all are making it so public they don't want to be V.P Intresting ,maybe someone has inside info Obama has some nasty problems about to come out and they don't want to be associated with him hmmm,can't wait till october lol

[Tom]

They are dropping like flies!

[Eldon Thompson]

Good Move Sen. Jim Webb ... YOU will provide greater ledership in the Senate ... more opportunity to make a difference for Veterans and Seniors - I am both.

YOU are a proven leader -- in the jungle of Viet Nam the vast domain of the Pentagon and now the Halls Of Congress!!!

[Richard P. McDonough]

What a cleanly written, professionally done story, not a dumb headline in sight. Perhaps you can give lessons to the print editors and headline writers???

[Kevin Morgan]

Obama has already made his choice. I think Webb would have been an excellent VP. but Obama had other plans. So be it. Webb will continue to work for Obama's election and will serve the party and his home state in the senate.

[cindy]

Obama needs Webb to help campaign in Appalachia.

It is suggested that Obama get with Webb and KY Lt Gov Dr. Dan Mongiardo and hold a ralley at Cumberland Gap where KY, VA and TN meet.

[Don Jones]

With all due respect to Jim Webb, all this means is that he knew he wasn't going to get chosen. If you believe his explanation for not wanting the job, I have a bridge in Alaska I'd like to sell you

[NinaK]

Good move Jim Webb.
Don't do what Barack Obama did. After he got elected senator, he started running for president after 1 year. I praise senator Webb for sticking to his commitment to continue to be a senator and learn how he can better serve the people. This shows good character and respect for the people who just voted for him.
-------------------------------------------------------
Seni, nothing about Hilliary?? She completed a full six-year senate term, got relected, served ONE year, and jumped into the Presidential race!! Why do YOU ONLY mention Senator Obama?? Your comment, "This shows good character and respect for the people who just voted for him" Are you proclaimiing Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are not of good character and do not have respect for their constituents?? If so, I think you are being far too judgemental. NOT ALL people are the same. If I recall correctly, fellow senators encouraged and urged Senator Obama to run for President!! As it turns out, they were correct to do so. I am certain most people in Illinois are very proud of their junior senator. Didn't you know? WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE FREE TO MAKE CHOICES. If Jim Webb chooses to remain a senator, that is just fine. If Senator Obama and Hilliary chose to run for the Office of the President, that is fine also. We are so very fortunate we have our freedom.

[Waiting4debates]

Cpt. Webb knows you don't jump rank without
putting in your time and proving your leadership.
Combat vets know that and don't seek responsibility without experience.
Ego and ambition don't pay the bills.

[Daron]

Seni, are you trying to say he would have declined an offer from Clinton to serve his country and put the US back on the right course as her Vice President??? You are full of it, the real issue is much more sinister than that, call it being BLACK balled, pun intended.

[Lewis B. Sckolnick]

What a shock!

[I'm thirteen!]

I'm thirteen!

You all suck!

All the nominees are CFR. Elections are a joke. Even a kid knows this.

Censor me, bitch.

[Schratboy]

Webb is grand standing. He's politically radioactive, so his withdrawal is a non-event event designed to make him appear to be VP material. The reality is that Webb is just another attention-grabbing, pocket-lining, lobbyist coddling parasite.

[NinaK]

Was Jim Webb, in fact, on Senator Obama's list for VP? Or, is everyone just "assuming"? I know the media and people on these "blogs" have been throwing Senator Webb's name out there as being a good pick for VP; however, that does not mean he was, in fact, on the VP list. The same applies to Governor Strickland. Just because we speculate, it does not mean it is a fact. Did Webb and Strickland actually say, "I am removing myself from Senator Obama's VP list"? It is the media that is headlining the stories on these two men in such a way to attact readers. It is amazing how the bigots and racists immediatly jump in with such ugly comments as they have here. Such ugliness says more about the people themselves than it does about the person they are condemning. You people do not have to like the good senator from Illinois; however, to dump your venom, hatred, and begory on him is beyond the pale.

[Paul Wilson]

I could have easily crossed over to vote for Webb for Prez.

Obama....well, no way.

[RadianChalant]

Potential VP candidates are dropping out because they know they do not have what it takes. Barack Obama will choose the right VP candidate when the time comes. Barack Obama will win and our economy will start to improve. I am not worried. I sent my donation to the Obama campaign two (2) days ago. I will contribute more. I am making an investment into my future, our futures. Barack for President.

[TJR]

Well, contrary to the media's point of view, there are over 300 million people in the U.S. - other than Bill and Hillary Clinton. Out of that group, I would assume Barack Obama could find someone willing to accept the VP job. I suggest Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. She's got a sterling resume and was recently re-elected governor (as a Democrat in a largely Republican state) by landslide.

[Kristin]

Re: What a cleanly written, professionally done story, not a dumb headline in sight. Perhaps you can give lessons to the print editors and headline writers???

Strange comment. It's much easier to get it right on the Net because you can continually update it. Think about the amount of info that goes into a print newspaper every day. It's amazing newspapers even get that amount of info on the page.

[Mary T]

Gotta love these guys like Strickland and Webb who so STRONGLY comment that they will not accept the VP position. Were they even that seriously being considered?

[Steve Czaja]

Let's see, a nobody Senator who won his last election by a couple hundred votes mainly because The Washington Post ran pro -Webb articles at about a 10-1 ratio over pro-Allen pieces, turns down another nobody who has served all of 143 days in the US Senate who is claimed by the media to be my savior.'Maybe you good folks can tell me why the hell I should care? Because, right now I don't.

[Will]

Seems Obama is a little too far left and out of sync with the mainstream Democrats. Or maybe they don't know what he stands for. "Hope" and "Change" are only words without a gameplan and Obama's changes every day.

[jthomas]

They are all withdrawing as they know they were not chosen - it allows them to save face... plain and simple

[Steve]

to Vote Hillary: That something is probably that he cannot produce an authentic State of Hawaii birth certificate and that the one posted on his website and claimed to be authentic is in fact a forgery. Therefore there is a question whether he is eligible to be president under the U.S. Constitution.