In Following His Own Script, Webb May Test Senate's Limits - washingtonpost.com: "At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia's newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn't long before Bush found him.

'How's your boy?' Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq.

'I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,' Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.

'That's not what I asked you,' Bush said. 'How's your boy?'

'That's between me and my boy, Mr. President,' Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House."

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I loved his book, Born to Fight about the Scots-Irish, but Senator Webb will have to learn some manners before he will be effective as a Senator. Independence of mind can be a virtue, but you need friends to get the job done in Washington, and Republicans control the administration, and may very well control one or both houses during part of Senator Webb's term. As Commander-in-Chief, President Bush is the junior Webb's commanding officer, whether the senior Webb likes it or not. So much for getting rid of partisanship. But the Scots-Irish do know how to carry a grudge.