(Pre-Edwards endorsing Obama)

Marc Ambinder (5/14/08):

How ’bout that? Sen. Jim Webb‘s new book will be released on May 15, just as reporters like me start to speculate about his chances of becoming Sen. Barack Obama‘s vice presidential nominee.

The timing, again, is impeccable: right when Obama is starting to look around, ah, here’s a guy who can go toe-to-toe with John McCain on national security, is beloved by white working class voters, puts Virginia into play instantly, and has a charming way with the media.

Me, (1/25/07):

I think that Jim Webb is going to be the next Vice President. In fact, it would shock me if he wasn’t.

The year-and-a-half-ago me was pretty sharp.

(Post-Edwards endorsing Obama)

Wow. I still have multiple bets out on the Veep-stakes, (pro-Webb / con-Hillary and Edwards) and this doesn’t change my mind. Sure, Cohen Jr.’s Edwards call is on the come up, (especially after this story) but she declined the double-down. Webb is still the smarter choice, war hero, ex-Republican, can actually put a state (VA) in serious play, seems to really dislike McCain, etc.

Personally I’m surprised by Edwards’ move. Obviously I’m not happy about it, but it’s not hard to believe that a politician would act in his own perceived self-interest. Still, the timing is odd, coming after the race is all but over, and that makes Edwards look a bit like a front-runner. Seems like he could have been a bigger help to Obama a lot earlier. And with Elizabeth conspicuously absent from today’s rally – she clearly doesn’t like the anointed one – I imagine he’ll be logging some time sleeping on the sofa. I guess if Edwards ends up as Attorney General or Secretary of Labor, all will not be lost. But my support for Edwards is non-transferable to Obama.