The National Journal, which is part of our same Atlantic Media empire, has a new cover story by Bob Moser on Jim Webb's possible campaign for the presidency.
I've known Webb for a long time, and I am quoted several times about his personality and possible effect on the race. The direct quotes are all accurate, but unfortunately (and inadvertently) they're presented in a context I did not intend.
The story says that I do not think Webb should run. Thus the specific observations on which I'm quoted — about his temperamental difference from run-of-the-mill politicians, about the long-shot prospects he or anyone else would seem to have versus Hillary Clinton — seem to be reasons for opposing his candidacy. Eg:
Actually, I hope Jim Webb does run. Two of the issues on which he has based his political career—income inequality, and the risks of chickenhawk militarism—are absolutely crucial issues for the Democratic party and the country. Realistically the 2016 Democratic race seems more sewed up than any other nomination race I can recall. Anyone running against Hillary Clinton is facing very steep odds. But there's still a long time to go, anything can happen, and the country and the party can only benefit from having a candidate like Webb make the case he would make. For similar reasons, I said nine years ago that I was glad Webb was beginning his (long-shot) run for the Senate in Virginia.
Want to hear how Jim Webb sounds when he talks about economic justice? I wrote about this during the 2012 presidential campaign, and I give you the video below. It came during the controversy over whether 47% of Americans were "takers," and in it Webb talks both about moral issues and about things he accomplished in the Senate.
This was an unintentional mis-presentation on NJ's part, which I believe it will correct in the online version of the story. But it is important enough (to me) that I want to make this point myself.
This article was originally published at http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/02/for-the-record-i-hope-jim-webb-runs/385599/
