Why Jim Webb Probably Won't be Obama's VP

clipped from www.politico.com Webb wants his home state to have the right to explore for energy off Virginia’s coast. His staff insists his proposal pertains only to natural gas, and not oil, and that it is completely in line with the state’s other two leading Democrats — Gov. Tim Kaine and former Gov. Mark Warner, who is running for Senate.  Yet by attaching his name to the bill, sponsored by Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), Webb is taking a step away from Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the party’s presidential candidate, who opposes offshore drilling, and one closer to Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the GOP standard-bearer who recently called for lifting the federal ban.

It's not this one issue per se, but Webb's habit of being his own man. I don't agree with Webb here, but I still admire his willingness to do what he believes is right -- regardless of the political pressure put on him not to.

Given that Webb's greatest strength is this rock-solid integrity, he's more the leader type than a follower. That may be a good trait to have in a cabinet member, but not as a running mate. You really need someone you can rely on to be on the same page.