Cross Webb Off Obama Veep List  —  Virginia freshman Senator is Shermanesque in removing himself from the running.  —  Says in statement: “Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate...Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President.”

Webb Takes Himself Out of VP Race  —  Virginia Sen. Jim Webb has taken himself out of the running to be Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, telling the Democratic nominee's campaign that he would not accept an offer to join the ticket if one was forthcoming.

The Jesse Helms You Should Remember  —  With the passing of Sen. Jesse Helms, the media have demonstrated one final time that they never fully understood the power or impact of this great man.  Consider, for example, The Post's obituary of Helms; here are some things you would not learn about his life and legacy by reading it:

The Case of Jesse Helms  —  The liberal blogosphere wants to know: Why have conservatives lined up to say kind things about the late Jesse Helms?  Partially because nobody wants to speak ill of the dead, but largely because Helms was an sometimes-effective, always-steadfast champion …

FARC's ‘Human Rights’ Friends  —  As we learn more about the Colombian military's daring hostage rescue last week, one detail stands out: In tricking FARC rebels into putting the hostages aboard a helicopter, undercover special forces simply told the comandantes that the aircraft was being loaned …