Dems Pick Rookie to Respond to Bush

Apparently the Democratic bench is pretty weak because they've chosen a rookie Senator, who is probaby still trying to figure out where his office and various committee rooms are, to provide the Dem response to Bush's State of the Union (from Special Report):

Democratic Response

The Democrats have selected freshman Senator Jim Webb of Virginia to deliver their response to the president's State of the Union speech next Tuesday.

In November — Webb refused to shake the president's hand or have his picture taken during a White House reception for incoming members of Congress. When Mr. Bush asked how Webb's son — a marine in Iraq — was doing — Webb said, "I'd like to get them out of Iraq."

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

Said Webb —"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President."

The Hill newspaper reported that Webb said he was so angered by the exchange he was tempted to slug the president.

When asked the subject of his Dem response, Webb reportedly said "that's between me and my boy." No word on whether he will feel inclined to slug the cameraman.