Veeps & the Virginia trio? Only Webb should be considered

This will probably be an unpopular position, but I am sick of people not from the state of Virginia, pushing for various Virginia candidates as possible veep candidates without considering the consequences of that choice to the political landscape of either the state of Virginia or the Country.

What follows will be my assessments of each of these men and why I support or oppose them as VP candidates.

Former Governor Mark Warner:  excellent moderate Democrat that is extremely popular in Virginia.  Has been a very successful Governor and was well respected for his ability to reach across the aisles and compromise with Republicans, who, at the time, controlled the Virginia State House and Virginia Senate.  He is mostly responsible for the Democrats ascendancy in Virginia, turning Virginia a more appealing shade of purple.

Reason for opposition: Mark Warner is currently running for US Senator in the state of Virginia, and is a shoe-in for the seat.  This is an obvious and expected Democratic pick-up opportunity.  If he runs for VP, he would imperil that seat.  Most Virginians don't like candidates running for two offices at the same time.  This was one of many of Republican George Allen's mistakes during his reelection build for Senate in 2006.  Though the Macaca controversy was critical, many Independents and some moderate Republicans had already started giving the Democrats a second look b/c Democrats were able to portray him as uninterested in the issues important to Virginians and more interested in a Presidential bid.

Governor Tim Kaine: another excellent moderate Democrat that is fairly popular in Virginia.  He is not as popular as Warner, but has effectively built an impressive campaign machine that allowed him to build on Warner's Democratic inroads into the state.  Furthermore, he was effective at supporting down-ticket candidates leading to gains in the State House and Senate and a turnover of the Senate into Democratic hands.  He's also Catholic, which would help with that Demographic in a general election.

Reason for opposition: Virginia has a Republican Lt. Governor.  If Kaine were chosen, and Obama were elected, VA would lose a Democratic Governor.  Though Republican Lt. Governor Bolling would only be Governor for a year--the VA Governor's election is in Nov 2009--it would undermine party building efforts by the Democrats, change the policy agenda of the Governor for 2009, and give the Republicans an incumbent advantage for the Governor's race in 2009.

Senator Jim Webb: Unseated one of the most popular Senators in Virginia.  Granted Allen was weak because of the macaca comment, but Webb came for 30 points down in March of 2006 to defeat Allen, and that is not all Allen's fault.  Webb is another moderate Democrat that converted from Republican to Democrat, mostly for reasons associated with economic justice.  He has incredible populist appeal and is not shy about using that appeal.  Though not as charismatic as Kaine or Warner, if ever the Democrats needed a bulldog, Webb would be an excellent choice.  He doesn't back down, and is willing to fight back on Security issues.  He has the military credentials and has a son who is currently serving in Iraq.

Reason for support:  Though Senator Webb would lose his Senate seat and the privileges associated with tenure--important to Virginians if we see 6-10 new Senators in 2009--as VP, Governor Tim Kaine could appoint another Democrat to the seat.  Possible replacements would likely be Creigh Deeds or Brian Moran, son brother of Virginia's popular US Congressman James Moran: both excellent choices.