A Little Bit More Information

[UPDATED below]

There's a new twist to the little dust up between Senator-elect Jim Webb and the Prez. We already know that at a White House function Bush sought out Webb to ask him about his "boy." Jimmy Webb is a marine currently serving in Iraq, and it turns out he recently had an extremely close call. Three marines were killed when a vehicle next to the younger Webb was blown up. So it's not surprising that his father was a shade touchy in discussing the son's well-being. But it may be surprising (or it may not, depending on your opinion of the Commander in Chief) that the Prez was well aware of this himself. A diary at Daily Kos first reported that Representative Jim Moran, a Democrat from Virginia, claimed:

Not only did Bush know about it, he was specifically briefed on the incident before meeting with Webb, and was cautioned to be extra sensitive in speaking with Webb about his son.

And Think Progress confirmed the quote with the congressman. So what are we to conclude but that the Prez sought Webb out to exacerbate his concern about his son? I suppose there is another option, though. Maybe "That's not what I asked you, how's your boy?" is Bush being extra sensitive.

UPDATE--In comments, Dirk recommends reading Michael Kinsley in Monday's Slate, which is a good idea. Kinsley discusses the misadventures of the Bush twins and their reaction (or lack of same) to the whole situation in Iraq, comparing that to the Webb family's response to the war. Truth to tell, I'd intended to mention Barb and Jenna myself and link back to Kinsley, but when I sat down to write last night, that part of my plan slipped my mind entirely. Thanks to Dirk for returning it to my attention.