Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) formally announced on Monday that he is not interested in becoming Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) running mate.

Webb took the unusual step of issuing a release stating that he had told the Obama campaign that he wants to remain in the upper chamber, adding, “Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for vice president.”

Webb joins a handful of other politicians who have said, in Shermanesque statements, that they should be taken off all lists long and short for the No. 2 slot. The others include Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D), former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Handling the veep question can be awkward, but it also is a leadership test, because most politicians are very interested in being on the ticket but don’t want to publicly admit it.

Some political analysts contend that the speculation about vice presidential candidates is overhyped, claiming that Americans vote for the person at the top of the ticket. But that view is short-sighted because the veep post is a clear steppingstone to a presidential nomination down the road, and sometimes the Oval Office.

When asked if they are interested in the position, it is refreshing when possible candidates answer it honestly.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently said that Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) should be considered, suggesting that the Senate is not the only chamber of Congress that has many qualified candidates.

Asked by The Hill, Chet Edwards was upfront and direct: “I cannot imagine too many Americans wouldn’t consider it an honor to serve our country as vice president.” Edwards, considered a long shot to be asked to be on the ticket, also noted that he has not been contacted by the Obama campaign.

Others believed to be higher up on the Obama and McCain lists have downplayed their chances.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said, “That won’t happen, so I won’t have to worry about it. Obviously it’s an honor. Anybody would look at it that way, but I just don’t see that happening.”

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), an overlooked candidate who would bring foreign policy credentials to Obama’s ticket, said, “I have a fabulous job representing people that I admire immensely in Rhode Island and I think I can do this job better here.”

There are many in the mix to be on the tickets, including governors, business leaders, military officers and several of Obama’s and McCain’s former rivals on the campaign trail, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R).

In their own ways, these public figures have let it be known that, unlike Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, they would run if asked — and if elected, they would serve.