Webb blames Bush for publicizing their run-in
posted at 6:38 pm on December 22, 2006 by Allahpundit
Webb calls the coverage of that [incident] “vastly overblown” but adds: “I think what I said was appropriate.” He also stated, “This was something that emanated from the White House. I did not say anything about this for two weeks. I said nothing publicly at all.”
So why did the White House push the issue? “Probably as an attempt to try to define me between the election and the beginning of the Congress,” Webb replied “And that’s all I am going to say.”
He may be right about the timeline. The date of the reception at the White House where he and Bush had their tiff isn’t given, but a little googling reveals that it probably happened on November 13. The first news reports about the incident, which included reaction from Webb, weren’t published until November 29. A little more than two weeks.
But here’s the wrinkle. From the November 29 issue of the Hill:
At a private reception held at the White House with newly elected lawmakers shortly after the election, Bush asked Webb how his son, a Marine lance corporal serving in Iraq, was doing.
Webb responded that he really wanted to see his son brought back home, said a person who heard about the exchange from Webb.
“I didn’t ask you that, I asked how he’s doing,” Bush retorted, according to the source.
Webb confessed that he was so angered by this that he was tempted to slug the commander-in-chief, reported the source, but of course didn’t.
Did the source hear about it from the White House first and then confirm it with Webb? Or did Webb offer the information voluntarily, replete with tough-guy braggadocio about wanting to punch Bush in the face? Ask yourself: why would the White House be pushing this story? By many accounts, including Peggy Noonan’s, Bush came off as the bigger jackass of the two, and the administration gains nothing by spreading it around and alienating a centrist Democrat. Webb, by contrast, earns his wings as a true blue Bush-hater who’s willing to speak fist to power — an image made to order for endearing him to the nutroots, whose support he’ll need if he votes like the maverick he’s expected to be. What would Occam say?
Blowback
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Look! It’s Barack Obama!
Pablo on December 22, 2006 at 6:43 PM
Once again, the majority of your readers believe just the opposite.
EF on December 22, 2006 at 6:44 PM
Who does he blame for that cheesy hairpiece?
JammieWearingFool on December 22, 2006 at 6:44 PM
Looks like by blaming Bush here, he put his foot in his mouth. Which I suppose is better than his son’s penis.
(for those who don’t get the joke, AP explained it for you a number of times already. Here it is anyway, incase you missed it.)
RightWinged on December 22, 2006 at 6:45 PM
It’s too bad Webb didn’t “slug” the president . . . then they could have locked his arrogant butt up for several years.
rplat on December 22, 2006 at 6:46 PM
Liar, with very bad hair!
NEMETI IN SYRACUSE on December 22, 2006 at 6:48 PM
The more I find out about Webb, the smaller he gets.
And I, too, disagree about who was the bigger jackass. Hint: it wasn’t Bush.
ReubenJCogburn on December 22, 2006 at 6:50 PM
Yes, and? I said “by many accounts,” did I not? If you followed the link to my earlier post, you’d see that I thought Webb came off as the more boorish of the two.
Follow your logic out, EF. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t give my opinion if most of our readers disagree with me? Or that I should change my opinion? Or that I shouldn’t be blogging for this site?
And while you’re at it, flesh out “once again” a little bit. Which other subjects, besides religion, am I at loggerheads with our readership?
Allahpundit on December 22, 2006 at 6:50 PM
Did he just think of this? Did it take him like 2 months to figure out how to blame Bush? ( ok, not wuite that long, but)
This is the slowest story about not much in quite a while.
Next UPDATE JAN 23rd, 07.
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(I can’t wait)
shooter on December 22, 2006 at 6:53 PM
Webb needs to stop whining. He has been crying about Bush for the better part of a year and knows that he did not go into that conversation to act respectfully. Webb is a hot-head, pure and simple, and it is time for him to recognize that he is now playing with the big boys and will have to grow up.
CR UVa on December 22, 2006 at 6:54 PM
Yeah, Allah. You’re not in the Cool Kids Club. Get with the program.
Slublog on December 22, 2006 at 7:00 PM
Sure glad we have such a level headed and honorable guy in a position of power./sarc
Webb is officially an arrogant child like prick.
shooter on December 22, 2006 at 7:03 PM
…and to think I actually liked and respected the clown when he was Secretary of the Navy. Oh well, I can chalk it up to being young and foolish (and/or drunk when I wasn’t at sea).
irishsquid on December 22, 2006 at 7:06 PM
Well I don’t know for sure, but I can say gumBALLS and “NUKE ‘em” without getting fired….hehehe
shooter on December 22, 2006 at 7:07 PM
Why does that whole scene remind me of a frat party at the point the keg is half-floated? Webb is a dill-weed. Bush is still trying to understand why his conservative base didn’t rescue the party despite his very un-conservative approach on certain key issues.
What we see here is a collision with two AMC Gremlins. Yes, it’s a wreck. But, in the end, what’s the real damage?
SailorDave on December 22, 2006 at 7:08 PM
Awesome.
Slublog on December 22, 2006 at 7:12 PM
I have two problems with this statement: 1) By many accounts – meaning, by who? MSM types? Around these parts it would be the height of rudeness to not answer the President of the United States of America with the standard, “Fine.” Joe Sixpack at the 7/11 could ask the same thing to Jack Sixpack who would answer, “Fine, thanks for asking.” If Joe had asked Jack, but Jack had retorted as Webb did, Joe would say exactly what President Bush said. A reception is no time to get huffy. Therefore, even before being sworn in, Webb is already showing that he may not be capable of representing his constituents well at all, if he can’t even maintain the standards by which they conduct themselves daily.
The other problem is calling Webb a Democrat centrist. Isn’t it a bit early to call him that? I was about to say that he ran to the political center, but after thinking about it, I can’t come up with a single position that I can remember Webb advocating. It was Macaca 24/7, so did Webb actually manage to skate in under the cover of the MSM without articulating a single policy position? So the only thing that will prove it will be how he votes. That starts next month. If he votes to reinstate the draft, what will we call him? He will bring his volunteer, highly trained warrior son home and send girls out in the man’s place. Can’t imagine what his son thinks of this.
Class act and people think the President was out of line? Nooo. Webb was just boasting to inform everyone how much he disrespects the man, and the office.
naliaka on December 22, 2006 at 7:29 PM
You said that it was “kind of a dick thing to say by Bush.” And now you have added that Bush was “boorish” but not as “boorish” as Webb. You can hold any opinion you want. But, I am unaware that it is a requirement that one must agree with you in order to comment.
Here’s a better idea: You tell us what subjects we are allowed to disagree with you on.
EF on December 22, 2006 at 7:35 PM
Of course it emanated from the White House, it occurred in the White house. If he means to say “Bush blabbed” then the only thing preventing him is a lack of candor.
“And that’s all I am going to say.” Sez Webb. because he’s so “principled”.
If a man paints himself as virtuous for not having publicized the incident in the first place then how is yammering about it in Sunday’s New York Times Magazine a virtue?
If it’s not a virtue – will Webb grittily denounce himself?
Is there a dime’s worth of difference between the egos of Webb and McCain? They seem to have been run through the same Play-Doh Fun Factory extruder.
Banty roosters. So annoying. They never shut up.
Stephen M on December 22, 2006 at 7:36 PM
Haha! Thanks for the laugh.
Webb, Shmebb, when’s this guy gonna shrivel up and disappear already?
NTWR on December 22, 2006 at 7:51 PM
You must be talkin’ ’bout Webb since The Donald says that we should all tell the truth all the time, right?
CyberCipher on December 22, 2006 at 7:56 PM
This always happens when I skim. Allahpundit, I think the problem is simply how you phrased it in your added comments – summarizing the positions of the two opposing camps on the matter, not your personal opinion. It can be read wrong. (FYI. My points are addressed to the logic of the position stated, not to you directly).
naliaka on December 22, 2006 at 7:58 PM
You’re at loggerheads with me when it comes to using the word “loggerheads”. If I had my say, that word would cease to exist. (j/k of course… kind of). It’s almost as annoying as when Miss USA said “expecially during the press conference the other day.
RightWinged on December 22, 2006 at 8:02 PM
Well, your affection for “The View,” to start.
And we just know you’re the type that likes small dogs.
Slublog on December 22, 2006 at 8:06 PM
I fear Webb will be hardly a centrist… Moran and his cadre of leftists in Northern Virginia heavily pushed Webb here in Northern Virginia… I look to Webb to be yet another liberal in Washington and doubt there will be anything moderate about him… this is surprising since he was a Reagan Navy Secretary…
Since his election I have wondered why George Allen didn’t make more of Webb’s failure to control the Navy’s Tailhook Scandel… Webb’s comments on women should gain more press… I can’t understand how his wife dismisses his demeaning comments on women…
Watch this guy Webb… his lack of qualifications mean he will work behind the scenes….
IntheNet on December 22, 2006 at 8:13 PM
Webb’s problem is that he got hung out to dry by fellow Repubs over the tailhook scandal. That was nothing more than fighter pilots blowing off steam in Las Vegas. But, the squishy kind of Rs did not want to cross swords with Babs Boxer etc, so he got screwed. One of the screwers was Bush 41 so Webb retreats into infantilism concerning Bush 43, the war in general and so forth and so on. Politics of vengeance carried to assinine levels. The jarhead should be ashamed of himself and this old doggie wishes he could say so, face to face.
Oilpatcher on December 22, 2006 at 9:04 PM
I’m at loggerheads with your fondness for any and all Brokeback videos, and, as noted above, your use of the word “loggerheads”
As for Webb…..what a dick. Have fun with him for the next six years, Virginia
Janos Hunyadi on December 22, 2006 at 10:00 PM
I don’t get it. AP reported what he researched:
But back on Nov 30th, he made it clear that even if he didn’t much care for the president’s comments, they were less rude that Webb’s.
EF, in saying that the majority of readers here believe just the opposite, seems to be merely pointing out that we don’t agree with whomever made up the “many accounts” AP refered to. I don’t think he was necessarily arguing with AP. And yet a rumble ensues.
Vitamin B, people, it balances the moods. Very important this time of year.
Freelancer on December 22, 2006 at 11:20 PM
Same team, guys, let it go.
EF, Allah tends to write in a very detached, ironic style. I would give me every benefit of doubt when you read a comment. I have swallowed hard many times, and realized that I wasn’t getting it right. (Then, again, I’m a little slow. Notice that I often leave the last three comments, two days after the post…heh.)
Jaibones on December 22, 2006 at 11:46 PM
Thank you! I thought it was just me. By the way JH, a friend of mine and I have kept a list we simply call “The List” of words that annoy us, and “loggerheads” has just been added.
RightWinged on December 23, 2006 at 12:12 AM
Oh, jeesh, freelancer and jailbones, give it a rest. I have no problems discerning what the man meant.
EF on December 23, 2006 at 12:39 AM
I’ma come at you like a spider monkey!
RightWinged on December 23, 2006 at 1:35 AM
Webb comes off as an arrogant thug.
I am not impressed.
William
William2006 on December 23, 2006 at 2:17 AM
I don’t know…I think Webb comes off as the bigger tool. I mean, that bit about wanting to take a swing? Please. Sounds like something from a Beavis and Butthead skit. ‘I would kicked his a**..huh huh huh huh…but…I was tired.’ No, you would have gotten taken to jail and the Secret Service would have informed you of your right to be thrown down at least 2 flights of stairs on the way. It’s lame bravado..someone pointed out above he’s playing to the fruitcake base. I agree. It’s also one of those things the press lets slide away. Had a Republican elect Senator said he wanted to take a swing at Bill Clinton, it would have been wall to wall news and outrage until the guy jumped off a bridge or something.
austinnelly on December 23, 2006 at 2:23 AM
uh, no, austinnelly, he would have been found ‘suicided’ in Fort Marcy Park, and months later ABC would show photos of a mysterious pistol….
Janos Hunyadi on December 23, 2006 at 3:07 AM
I find it remarkable that today, with George W. Bush as president, the media still praises Bill Clinton and condemns George W. Bush.
Bush news is editorialized, and hatred and beratement are carefully injected into all Bush related news by the media and Hollywood.
Clinton – bastion of goodness, compassion, love, honor, integrity.
Bush – liar, Hitler, arrogant, stubborn, stupid, an idiot, a hayseed.
What a bunch of crap!
William
William2006 on December 23, 2006 at 5:58 AM
Good job Virginia.. This low grade human will infest the Senate for another six years..
What were his qualifications, I mean besides hating the President?
madmonaco on December 23, 2006 at 6:21 AM
I was dubious of Webb’s temperament before the election. I was especially concerned about his comments about women in the military. I’m not “dubious” anymore. I am convinced that his temperament is both juvenile and belligerent. He is not what I consider “senatorial material.” But then, neither is Traitor Johnny, Dick “Turbin” Durbin, or Ted “Drowning Pool” Kennedy.
And truth be told, our history has had many “colorful” representatives and senators and even fist fights in the chamber while the body was in session.
Well, he’s just one of 100. America will, no doubt, muddle through and survive with him representing Virginia for the next 6 years.
georgej on December 23, 2006 at 7:22 AM
Love everything you do here, just one thing irks me. When the news uses phrases like, “they said”, “by many accounts”, “it has been stated”, etc. I always feel (maybe wrong) that the reporter is afraid to state his opinion and is hiding behind the proverbial skirt.
Ask a legitimate question, or make a legitimate statement, but don’t attach it to some ambiquous mythical character.
Merry Christmas to all.
right2bright on December 23, 2006 at 7:56 AM
Good job Virginia.. This low grade human will infest the Senate for another six years..
What were his qualifications, I mean besides hating the President?
How do you think I feel? I live in VA and have to put up with this guy.
darwin on December 23, 2006 at 9:00 AM
You’re probably right. Bill Clinton knows more people who’ve died under mysterious circumstances than there are regular commenters to this blog. Rush has a saying that always makes me smile when he talks about people dealing with Bill Clinton..’there’s always Fort Marcy Park.’ He alluded to this the other day when he was talking about why Sandy Burglar would risk so much to get his hands on documents. Well said Janos.
austinnelly on December 23, 2006 at 11:13 AM
Bush is above his Class and pay grade. If Webb was ass enough to say it, POTUS is under no obligation to keep his confidence. And good on him for not.
Webb is a pimple.
seejanemom on December 23, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Do a little research on Webb and you will find that he has consistantly been a prick who doesn’t play well with others.
quax1 on December 23, 2006 at 11:56 AM
Sen. Webbs son probably is not all that keen on Daddy’s
little tiff. Sen. Webb needs to grow up.
gary on December 23, 2006 at 12:27 PM
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” Buddha
there it is on December 23, 2006 at 12:53 PM
So, when is Lil’ Jimmy scheduled to blame the President for his being a scumbag?
Teddy on December 23, 2006 at 1:35 PM
Webb the scumbag’s son volunteered to be over there. No one forced Webb the a-hole’s son to go there. Webb is a scumbag. He just used his son to bash Bush. What a Flaming prick. Not one soldier was forced into the military, they are al volunteers. I am Sick and F$$#ing tired of all this BS!
retired on December 23, 2006 at 3:43 PM
Hey retired you are the, quote you “a-hole” and “scumbag”. His son is a hero, knucklehead; all the men and woman of the armed forces joined voluntarily, and Webb served honorable as well.
Bush was TOLD he was sensitive about his son, so what does Bush do, not listen and go over and ask Webb “How’s your son”. You have the transcript; Webb said his son was in Iraq; I think that answered the question. Bush response could have been I know you are worried or something of compassion, but no it was I DIDN’T ASK YOU THAT! Please G. W. Bush is “thinking” and going to “take his time” to “deliberate” while soldiers are dieing in the cross fire of a civil war you jerk off. He should have done that before the war or years ago. Bush is not King George, and he and his court jesters, Captain shoot’em in the face (Cheney), Clown of rhetorical questions (Rumsfeld), Puppet (Rice) and the rubber stamp lazy corrupt GOP ran congress basically encompassed incompetence, hubris and lack of leadership. Bush and all the jesters deserve to be criticized harshly. Oh whine and cry: it’s the liberal main steam media, it’s Webbs fault, it’s Clinton, its not our fault it’s the peoples fault, the Dems did it. Please grow up and take some responsibility and stop acting like a whinny baby’s. You are not man enough to criticize Webbs son or him.
gmcjetpilot on December 23, 2006 at 9:37 PM
I called the old man a scumbag (I don’t give a dman if he suck god’s balls,, the senior Webb is an a-hole..)… not his son.. (please read carefully… before you rant on me)..
I too am a vetern, I am a disabled veteran of the U.S. AirForce…
retired on December 24, 2006 at 1:49 AM