Webb v. Bush: The Smackdown

One of our new Democratic Senators gives Bush a little attitude of the sort that doesn’t typically penetrate his precious wee bubble:

At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia's newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn't long before Bush found him.

"How's your boy?" Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq.

"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.

"That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?"

"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House.

Snap! You just know that Bush thought he could jolly-jolly Webb by asking about his son, because, in the hand-picked crowds through which he usually travels, parents with serving children universally support the war and its commander-in-chief, and having the president merely ask about their kids is an honor. And when Webb, who’s served in the military at its highest levels and is thusly not impressed into awed submission by being near a president, refused to let Bush ingratiate himself with a casual inquiry, but instead used the opportunity to tell Bush he wants all the sons and daughters home, Bush got all pissy.

That’s not what I asked you. Which really means: Play the fucking game, Webb. I’m the goddamned president, and I make the rules, and you’re supposed to tell me ‘my boy is fine, sir’. Now let’s try this again. How’s your boy?

And Webb, who The Hill reports was so pissed off by that he “was tempted to slug” Bush, still didn’t play along. Good for him. And let it be a lesson to the rest of the Democrats. Don’t give him an inch for the next two years—and take every one you can.