Liberal Talk Radio

When discussing political moves where there may be “more than meets the eye,” The Chief usually reminds me of the West Wing episode where President Bartlett, speaking to a TV show, “forgets” that the camera’s still recording and calls his opponent a “.22 caliber mind in a .357 world.” It later becomes clear that Bartlett blurted out the insult intentionally, to out-macho the opponent in a way that could still be plausibly denied.

With that in mind, I can’t help but wonder when Sen. Jim Webb’s assistant gets caught “accidentally” bringing Webb’s loaded handgun into the Capitol building. And just days after the Supreme Court strikes down D.C.’s anti-handgun law. Was this a wink-wink to Webb’s Virginia constituents, reminding them he’s still a strong pro-gun vote? I’ll admit that it would be foolish and irresponsible to have your aide intentionally committing crimes (like carrying a concealed weapon without a permit) just to help you in a re-election campaign that’s still 5 years away. Still… there’s more here than meets the eye.