Jim Webb - 2008 Vice Presidential Speculation

2008 Vice Presidential Speculation

Webb was frequently mentioned as a possible Vice Presidential Democratic nominee for Barack Obama in 2008 due to his military experience and moderate policy positions. Although he said he was not interested in the vice presidency, speculations about him being picked by Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee at the time, were still heard.

Some felt that Webb's commentary on women serving in the military (e.g., his article "Women Can't Fight") was a strong consideration as to his possible candidacy. His selection would have closely followed the somewhat divisive Democratic primary battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton, whose candidacy had received strong support from organized feminism, and who would have been the first female major party nominee for the presidency, had she won the nomination. This situation may have made the prospect of Webb as Obama's running mate entirely politically untenable, as it could have caused many Democratic Clinton supporters to balk at switching allegiance to Obama.

On July, 7, Webb effectively removed himself as a possible candidate for Vice President in a statement made to Time, stating that he intended to serve his term in the Senate and that "under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President.” Obama went on to choose fellow senator Joe Biden as his running mate.