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Va. Senator Not the Firebrand Many Expected

Mr. Webb goes to Washington and plays nice

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2008 4:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Virginia Sen. James Webb hasn’t played the part of hot-tempered agitator many expected in his freshman term, the Washington Post reports. Making friends and taking legislative strides, Webb “has vaulted to a position of influence,” said one colleague. But "the job of getting out and speaking with constituents and hearing their concerns seems to be something he hasn't warmed up to," one analyst says.

Webb says he’s simply mired in Washington and in writing a book on his experiences. Indeed, the Democrat has taken DC friendship-making to a surprising extreme, even acting to “bury the hatchet” with President Bush: After first mouthing off to the president when asked about his Marine son, Webb arranged for the three to have a private Oval Office chat.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (2)]

Sen. James Webb, left, confers with USMC Sgt. Major Scott D. Reeves, Petersburg, Va. center, and USMC Capt. Daniel Gaskell, Stafford, Va., during a Nov. 29, 2007, visit to Iraq's al-Anbar province. (AP Photo/Office of Sen. James Webb, Gordon Peterson)

In this photograph provided by "Meet the Press," Sen. James Webb, D-Va., appears on "Meet the Press'" Sunday, July 15, 2007, at the NBC studios in Washington. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)

Sen. James Webb, D-Va., at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Sen. James Webb, D-Va., right, asks a questions of Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee James Peake, not shown. (AP Photo)

Jim Webb on the campaign trail. The freshman senator's presence in Congress hasn't been as inflammatory as some had anticipated. (Getty Images)

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Senator James Webb Democratic Response to the SOTU Speech (VRAdmin (YouTube))

James Webb Hits Back (taylormarsh (YouTube))

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Va. Senator Not the Firebrand Many Expected