Jim Webb, George Bush, and George Will

Ahhh.... the next two years are going to be fun.

So Jim Webb and George Bush had a "testy" moment at a White House reception. Depending on how you look at it, you could argue that either Webb or Bush was the initiator. Maybe it was uncivil. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe they both acted inappropriately in the setting. Maybe neither did. But I like the symbolism of it: Jim Webb is not going to let George Bush walk all over him. And hopefully the rest of the Senate will take a cue from Webb.

Checks and balances are a good thing, and we haven't really had any for a while. I hope the President and the Senate can work together. But this does not mean the Senate should act like second class citizens to King Bush, which is the arrangement we've more or less had for six years now. The executive and legislature are equally important branches of government, and Webb knows it.

And a fun side effect of the whole situation... it has thrown George Will into a tizzy.

Will writes:

Based on Webb's behavior before being sworn in, one shudders to think what he will be like after that.

Well... based on Will's reaction to Webb before he's sworn in, I have to say it's going to be fun watching Will and other conservatives get all hot and bothered by him for the next six years.

I voted for Jim Webb, and I'm increasingly proud of that vote.