What a Jerk!

[FatherOfFive]

Senator elect Webb shows off his manners.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801582_pf.html

I was willing to give Webb the benefit of the doubt. But not anymore... what an ***. Yes he has every right to be an ***, but he is an *** none the less.

Way to set the tone Jimbo! I'm sure the citizens of Virginia will be better off because of your f*** you Mr. President attitude.

 

[nosmileysforme]

Well, I read the entire article and I couldn't fault his actions or his words. All in all I think he probably gave the president all of the respect he deserved. He answered politely but to the point; sounds like a Marine to me.

 

[USNA69]

I agree with "smiley". In the long history of polite casual conversation, when one asks about another's family, they normally accept the given answer. However, when two type "A" personalities are involved and the first perceives he has been slighted, stand by for the fireworks.

 

[ChipAyten]

Id be happy to have my picture taken with the president. But i can understand how he may feel some discontent toward mr. Bush. At least he's not one of those democrats who used that "cross party lines" bull**** campaign in trying to please everyone. Just shows that a Dem would sell his/her mom for a vote.

 

[Zaphod]

Webb once again showing he has no tact or sense of grace at all. Or manners. He was a whining baby as a SECNAV, and now he hasn't got the courtesy to answer a simple question with a little class.

"Type A personality" my ***. If my kid had been in Iraq and the president were a Democrat who I loathed and he asked me how my kid was doing, I'd answer "Fine, thank you. I sure wish he could come home, though." I wouldn't go off on some stupid screed. I would have responded exactly the way W did. Good for him.

But what do you expect from Webb, a guy who sells out everything else he believes in to throw in with a bunch of people who have to lie about what they believe in order to barely eek out a win in an election cycle that traditionally has the minority party winning 50+ seats?

Those of us who have seen Webb acting in anything resembling an official capacity were not surprised in the slightest at this news. He's dirt.

 

[USNA69]

Make that three "type A personalities". Glad to see you are back to normal, Zap, I was beginning to worry about you.

Let's take your hypothetical response to the Democratic President and add a few "what ifs".
What if you had just received an email from your kid and he was not fine. Supplies, including critical ammo, had not reached the front lines, artillery shells were duds, air cover was late to non-existent, etc and your kid was very frustrated and you had read between the lines that he was scared ****less and, consequently, so were you. Would you lie and say things were fine or would you spill your guts? I would do neither and simply deflect the question.
Next, what if you had met several of the members of his squad and had grown attached to them? Perhaps you would change your wish that "he" could come home to wish "they" could come home?
It is not that far-fetched to get from your response to that of Webb. Why don't we give the guy an honest chance instead of looking for insignificant reasons to dismiss him (reasons that have been reported to us by that liberal press that we cannot trust). At the very least, he is going to be fun to watch.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

I would have to say that I am more inclined to agree with Father of Five and The Zap on this one.
I know Webb was a Marine and once a Marine always a Marine....
I get that his son is a Marine and he wants what is best for his son and fellow Marines............
However, he is now (or soon to be) an elected lawmaker, a member of the greatest lawmaking body in the world. A member of the most civilized lawmaking body in the world.
He says he "meant no disrespect" to the office but he did disrespect the office. There is a time and a place for everything and he picked neither the time nor the place to express his ill feelings for our country's progress (or lack thereof) in Iraq.
I certainly hope he is more civilized when on the floor of the United States Senate. If he cannot control himself there then he will most certainly find himself ostracized from his fellow Senators and will be able to accomplish nothing.
My advice to Mr. Webb: You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Find another opportunity for your 15 minutes of fame.

 

[USNA69]

It was a political venue. Webb had a right and perhaps an obligation to express his political views. The President was out on a limb pressing a personal question. We are basing a lot of conjecture on the journalist's use of the word "coldly" which had to be a subjective comment on his part. Was this journalist so familiar with Webb that he understood his ever inflection or was he adding an adverb that was sure to sell papers?
I say again, let's give the guy a half a chance before we jump on him.

 

[FatherOfFive]

I think he (Webb) was fine upto and until he said: "That's between me and my son." ........ Huh? I didn't realize this was classified? That's like saying "how's the weather down in Virginia, Jim?" and getting a response: "That's between me and the weather." Sheesh!

Well excuse President Bush for asking. Would it make the Senator feel better if his son were in Afghanistan? Or how about Kosovo where the U.S. has scant national interests?

You can fit what I know about sales into a lunch sack, but I do know that being a good salesman is a big part of Washington politics and sales is about relationships. President Bush was trying to establish a relationship (something that Webb should also be trying to do) and Webb basically gave him the finger. Webb is essentially telling the President "I cannot stand to be in the same room with you, let alone work with you."

My next rant is off topic as it does not concern Jim Webb, but the Democratic party in general and liberals in particular. Generally speaking Democrats only support using the military when it can demonstrated that the U.S. has no national interests at stake. Look at Clinton's use of the military in places like: Haiti, Kosovo and Somalia. Now look at the lobbying by the hollywood crowd and politicians like Obama and others to get our military involved in Darfur. There are exceptions, but that is exactly what they are, exceptions and not the rule.

 

[USNA69]

I think he (Webb) was fine upto and until he said: "That's between me and my son." ........ Huh? I didn't realize this was classified? That's like saying "how's the weather down in Virginia, Jim?" and getting a response: "That's between me and the weather." Sheesh!.

The relationship between a father who has seen the very worst of war and a son who is experiencing it now can be a very complex and extremely personal matter. Perhaps a President who hasn't experienced it can improperly equate it to the weather, but a compassionate understanding President would have let it drop. Trust me. I have been at both ends. Comparing it to the weather is a very shallow and unrealistic comparison.

 

[nosmileysforme]

Webb doesn't like Bush nor does he have any respect for him. Under the circumstances, and considering his personal view of the man, he was sufficiently polite. Personally, I'm far less restrained in similar situations, but then I don't have to be.

 

[nosmileysforme]

But really it boils down to much ado about nothing, a tempest in a tea pot, etc. And yes, perhaps a feather or two got ruffled. Must have been a slow news day.

 

[Zaphod]

Let's take your hypothetical response to the Democratic President and add a few "what ifs".
What if you had just received an email from your kid and he was not fine. Supplies, including critical ammo, had not reached the front lines, artillery shells were duds, air cover was late to non-existent, etc and your kid was very frustrated and you had read between the lines that he was scared ****less and, consequently, so were you. Would you lie and say things were fine or would you spill your guts? I would do neither and simply deflect the question.
Next, what if you had met several of the members of his squad and had grown attached to them? Perhaps you would change your wish that "he" could come home to wish "they" could come home?
It is not that far-fetched to get from your response to that of Webb. Why don't we give the guy an honest chance instead of looking for insignificant reasons to dismiss him (reasons that have been reported to us by that liberal press that we cannot trust). At the very least, he is going to be fun to watch.

I would go to the Senate floor (after all, that's what I'd be getting paid for) and raise hell, or else I simply wouldn't show up to the President's reception.

I'm sorry, but I do not accept excuses for unjustified and unprovoked rudeness. He asked a simple inquiry. A simple, polite answer would have sufficed.

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Jimmy has to show us what a badass he is.

Ollie obviously didn't hit him hard enough in that boxing match.

 

[USNA69]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112901267.html

 

[Zaphod]

Webb certainly has conveyed what he is: a boor. Never mind the patent disrespect for the presidency. Webb's more gross offense was calculated rudeness toward another human being -- one who, disregarding many hard things Webb had said about him during the campaign, asked a civil and caring question, as one parent to another. When -- if ever -- Webb grows weary of admiring his new grandeur as a "leader" who carefully calibrates the "symbolic things" he does to convey messages, he might consider this: In a republic, people decline to be led by leaders who are insufferably full of themselves.

Preach it, George.

How the people of Virginia actually feel for this pompous goon is a testament to the MSM's insistent repetition of the word "macaca" (which they had to go look up, including the planted "offended" party), their decision to chain the National Organization for (Liberal) Women in a sewer somewhere lest Webb's past comments on women be exposed too much, and the fact the Dems pulled the greatest bait-and-switch in political history, running people who were just as conservative than their opponents (in some cases MORE) in order to get the leftist moonbat fringe into the leadership positions.

Way to fall for it, people! I thought Virginians were smarter than that.

Oh, well. Webb'll show his stripes soon enough (more than he already has, that is). I'm sure he'll just quit the first time one of his bills gets shot down. He's known for sulking and quitting when he doesn't get his way, hence his reputation as a whining crybaby among those of us who remember him from the 80's.

 

[nosmileysforme]

Bush: "How's your boy?"
Webb: "I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,"
Bush: "That's not what I asked you, how's your boy?"
Webb: "That's between me and my boy, Mr. President,"

The horror, the gall, the insolence, THE JERK!

 

[nosmileysforme]

But let me re-write that as another, equally inept, newspaper reporter might:

"How's your boy?" Bush said with a haughty sneer.
"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb said in a pleading subservient voice.
"That's not what I asked you, how's your boy?" Bush snarled back, visibly annoyed with the junior congressman's insolent reply.
"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb replied in a low humbled voice; bowing his head and taking a half step backwards so as to more easily kiss the Presidents ring.

Hmm. Come to think if it this reminds me of the character Malvolio in Twelfth Night….

“Calling my officers about me, in my branched velvet gown; having come from a daybed, where I have left Olvia sleeping –

And then to have the humor of state; and after a demure travel of regard, telling them I know my place, as I would they shoud do theirs, to ask for my kindsman Toby –

Seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him. I frown the while, and perchance wind up my watch, or play with my – some rich jewel. Toby approaches; curtsies there to me –

I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control“

But I digress and clearly Webb hasn’t brushed up on his Shakespeare; or is that Bush who’s fallen behind?

Anyway, read this way Bush comes off as the Jerk. Is my writing of the events any more or less accurate than other accounts also written by others who hadn't been in attendance? Arguably no; probably yes; though I'm confident the people of the fine state of Virginia would not particularly care for my version of Webb. Rather they have a history of defiance against a strong central government and are perfectly happy with the version they've got.

"Way to fall for it, people! I thought Virginians were smarter than that."

Ahh, but they are! Sour grapes anyone?

 

[kp2001]

I think the ultimate response from the president would be to pull all the troops except for Senator Webb's son's unit. Talk about the ultimate in sour grapes.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

But let me re-write that as another, equally inept, newspaper reporter might:

"How's your boy?" Bush said with a haughty sneer.
"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb said in a pleading subservient voice.
"That's not what I asked you, how's your boy?" Bush snarled back, visibly annoyed with the junior congressman's insolent reply.
"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb replied in a low humbled voice; bowing his head and taking a half step backwards so as to more easily kiss the Presidents ring.

You guys are a tough crowd..... Seriously, I thought of adding a disclaimer to my argument:
"Assuming the actual conversation even remotely resembles the one that was reported" I can see now that I should have - Ahhhh Hindsight.
Having suffered the indignity of being misquoted by the press both in actual verbage and intent - I am open to the real possibility that the conversation may not have occurred exactly as reported in the artlcle.

That being said - I would like to think our elected leaders would have more civility and tact than as reported.

 

[nosmileysforme]

We're tough, but friendly!