That’s the only conclusion I can draw from this report of his first meeting as Senator-Elect with the President of the United States:
At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia’s newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn’t long before Bush found him.
“How’s your boy?” Bush asked, referring to Webb’s son, a Marine serving in Iraq.
“I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,” Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.
“That’s not what I asked you,” Bush said. “How’s your boy?”
“That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President,” Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House.
And thus what was clearly intended by Bush to by a civil exchange and inquiry into how the son that Webb used often in his campaign was doing. Webb’s response, while it may have been what he was thinking at the time, really wasn’t appropriate to the situation. If this is how he handles the formalities of office, he will be, as the article says, far from your typical Senator:
One senior Democratic staff member on Capitol Hill, who spoke on condition that he not be identified so he could speak freely about the new senator, said that Webb’s lack of political polish was part of his charm as a candidate but could be a problem as a senator.
“I think he’s going to be a total pain. He is going to do things his own way. That’s a good thing and a bad thing,” the staff member said. But he said that Webb’s personality may be just what the Senate needs. “You need a little of everything. Some element of that personality is helpful.”
How that translates over the next six years remains to be seen.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:36 am
What was inappropriate in Webb’s reply? As a marine father whose son has multiple tours in Iraq, Webb was constrained because of his new position, IMHO.
I bet (no proof without the video) Bush was a condescending SOB with his “That’s not what I asked you” reply.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Charles,
Since neither you nor I were there, neither one of us can speak to the tone of voice either man used. However, what I found inappropriate in Webb’s initial reply even was the lack of courtesy for the office of the President, if not the man currently holding it.
If this is the kind of Senator he’s going to be, he’s not going to have many friends on either side of the aisle.
November 29th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
I take back everything negative I thought about George Allen. Jim Webb is nothing more than a punk.
November 30th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Good! Virginians should be proud to finally have a “hothead” represent them who’ll pry Bush’s head out of Cheney’s ass!