Anybody who thinks Webb endorses what he has written about in some of his novels should think again. As Ebbie notes, Webb saw himself as something of a reporter--and he had seen that revolting scene. Are reporters only to write on pleasant developments?    How many do now?

And if he is to be lynched for having written something about 30 years ago about how women can't fight--a subject on which he has changed his view--that's not reasonable either. No potential VP selection will be perfect.

He describes himself as a "redneck", occasionally carries a concealed pistol, and says poor whites are an "oppressed class". He can appeal to exactly the constituency McCain would most strongly appeal to.

With his 2 purple hearts, having pushed the recent GI bill for veterans, and being from the potential swing state of Virginia, he has many assets for Obama.

I would hope women would realize the crucial aspect of all this is the views of the person at the top of the ticket, not the VP. In fact that's the main issue--would Webb have any influence on potential McCain voters at all? He still might swing some Virginia voters--and turning Virginia blue seems to be within reach, especially with the electoral center of gravity continuing to shift towards Northern Virginia, as the population there increases.