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Webb's Famed Anger Is His Strength

It's no liability, but rather what makes him an important Dem

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2008 6:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – James Webb's legendary temper spurs worry that saps energy from the argument for a Barack Obama-Webb ticket. But it's exactly that quality that makes him an attractive possibility, Eve Fairbanks writes in the New Republic. It’s not just his “capacity to hormonally invigorate a party sick of its effete, wine-sipping image.”

If only more blue-collar whites would “stop being mad at conservatives for frowning at their guns and start being mad at conservative for raping their pocketbooks,” Fairbanks says. Webb’s not really pissed off, but instead is energized, and has an anthropologist’s acute sense of what makes regular people angry—and how to convert it to left-leaning victory.

Sen. James Webb, D-Va., left, stands with Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, left, stands on stage with Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., and Sen. James Webb, D-Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In this photograph provided by "Meet the Press," Sen. James Webb, D-Va., left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., left, stands with Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., on June 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., left, wave during a rally at Nissan Pavilion, Thursday, June 5, 2008 in Bristow, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Barack Obama Attends Campaign Rally With Jim Webb. (Getty Images)

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Webb's Famed Anger Is His Strength

It's no liability, but rather what makes him an important Dem

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Barack Obama • James Webb • temper

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Obama, Others Won't Return Ponzi Cash

Receiver wants the $1.8M Allen Stanford gave to politicians

Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

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Webb's Famed Anger Is His Strength

It's no liability, but rather what makes him an important Dem

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • James Webb • temper

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama, Others Won't Return Ponzi Cash

Receiver wants the $1.8M Allen Stanford gave to politicians

Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?