Webb Rules Out Spot on Obama Ticket

Senator Obama lost another potential running mate yesterday when Senator Webb of Virginia took himself out of contention for the vice presidency. Mr. Webb, a freshman lawmaker elected less than two years ago, issued a statement yesterday in which he ruled out a spot on the Obama ticket. “Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country,” he said in a statement. “Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for vice president.” A Vietnam veteran and a former secretary of the Navy under President Reagan, Mr. Webb, 62, had been touted as a possible running mate because of his military experience — which Mr. Obama lacks — and his potential to deliver Virginia, a state that the presumptive Democratic nominee is targeting aggressively. He could have been a risky choice, however, because of his blunt speaking style and the novels he penned earlier in his career, which included graphic sex scenes. Mr. Webb is at least the third potential Obama running mate, and the second from Virginia, to rule out the vice presidency in recent weeks. Governor Strickland of Ohio last month said he did not want the job, and Governor Warner of Virginia said he was committed to a race for Senate and would not be a candidate for any other office.