Many Congressional Democrats spent the days right after the election victory in Washington pulling their punches with the recently “thumped” president. Not Sen. James Webb (D-Va.), who stuck to the subject.

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.

Webb has my admiration for his restraint. Most of us would have been unable to keep from saying, “He’s in Iraq, you moron. How the hell do you think he is?”

“I’m not particularly interested in having a picture of me and George W. Bush on my wall,” Webb said in an interview yesterday in which he confirmed the exchange between him and Bush. “No offense to the institution of the presidency, and I’m certainly looking forward to working with him and his administration. [But] leaders do some symbolic things to try to convey who they are and what the message is.”

…The White House declined to discuss the encounter. “As a general matter, we do not comment on private receptions hosted by the president at the White House,” said White House spokeswoman Dana M. Perino.

Yeah, sure they don’t. Not to mention it’s just one more example of how profoundly her boss doesn’t get it.

Did Bush really think Webb would gush over him for remembering that Webb’s son is doing what Bush himself was too weak and selfish to do when it was his turn? The man’s son is in Iraq. If Bush really expected his question to be met with, “He’s great, and thanks for asking. How are the twins?” then he’s even dumber than I thought. And that can’t be possible.