Jim Webb

This morning Richard Cohen of the Washington Post commented on this now famous exchange between Jim Webb and George W. Bush:

"After first trying to avoid speaking to George W. Bush altogether, he was forced to respond when the president approached him and asked, "How's your boy?" Webb replied, "I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President." (Webb's son is a Marine serving there.) "That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?""That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said, ending the conversation right there."

I agree with Richard Cohen when he writes, " am of two minds about what Virginia Sen.-elect James Webb did at a White House reception for new members of Congress...it might have jarred Bush into appreciating the fact that many of his critics actually feel keenly about the war in Iraq -- that they are not mere political opponents but people who are morally appalled by a war that continues for no apparent reason."

On these pages I have complained about the good ol' boy, do-nothing environment, in the halls of the Capitol, and I do appreciate the arguement that civility has a place in politics. I think Webb's comments conveyed the message that those in government are not just priveleged observers of the machinations of legislative edict: while remaining respectful, it is ok to vent frustration and show emotion when dealing with matters as personal and serious as war. I have often commented on the unserious attitude of George W. Bush...though contrary to some popular opinion, George W. Bush is not emotionally detached nor unintelligent, I am sure he understood the emotions behind Webb's retort. Ultimately, with sincere emotion and a personal stake, I believe Webb's response was a fair one, that said, so was Bush's.