Webb vs Bush
Washington Post - November 29, 2006
In Following His Own Script, Webb May Test Senate’s Limits By Michael D. Shear Washington Post Staff Writer
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.
Webb was narrowly elected to the U.S. Senate this month with a brash,
unpolished style that helped win over independent voters in Virginia
and earned him support from national party leaders. Now, his
Democratic colleagues in the Senate are getting a close-up view of
the former boxer, military officer and Republican who is joining
their ranks.
If the exchange with Bush two weeks ago is any indication, Webb won’t
be a wallflower, especially when it comes to the war in Iraq. And he
won’t stick to a script drafted by top Democrats.
“I’m not particularly interested in having a picture of me and George
W. Bush on my wall,” Webb said in an interview yesterday in which he
confirmed the exchange between him and Bush. “No offense to the
institution of the presidency, and I’m certainly looking forward to
working with him and his administration. [But] leaders do some
symbolic things to try to convey who they are and what the message is.”
In the days after the election, Webb’s Democratic colleagues on
Capitol Hill went out of their way to make nice with Bush and be seen
by his side. House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) sat down for
a lunch and photo opportunity with Bush, as did Democratic leaders in
the Senate.
Not Webb, who said he tried to avoid a confrontation with Bush at the
White House reception but did not shy away from one when the
president approached.
The White House declined to discuss the encounter. “As a general
matter, we do not comment on private receptions hosted by the
president at the White House,” said White House spokeswoman Dana M.
Perino.
Webb said he has “strong ideas,” but he also insisted that — as a
former Marine in Vietnam — he knows how to work in a place such as
the Senate, where being part of a team is important.