The Hill News

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who announced last month that he will not seek reelection in 2012, is apparently still leaving his political options open.

On Monday, in response to a joke by a member of the press about Webb being a "short-timer," Webb said "maybe," according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

"I'm not thinking about running for reelection, but I'm not going away, either," Webb said.

Webb did not elaborate, according to the report.

In February, Webb announced his intention not to seek reelection in 2012. Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke are both running for Webb's seat.

Democrats have been lobbying Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine, former gover! nor of Virginia, to jump into the race, and Kaine has said he will make a decision soon.