Washington Post: 6 GOP Senators Who May Not Seek Re-Election in 08 [View All]

[CorpGovActivist]

"Gut Check": http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/20/AR2007012001402.html

Among the "leaning toward retirement" crowd contemplating joining Colorado Senator Wayne Allard in a "no go" decision: Senator John Warner here in Virginia.

Warner, reportedly still reeling from the loss that George Allen sustained, and stung that his investment of personal prestige (the ads he ran for/with Allen) didn't seem to carry much weight with Virginians, turns 80 next month.

If former Governor Mark Warner can be persuaded to jump in (he bowed out of the Presidential race), Senator Warner may decide to forego an Allenesque defeat.

If so, Republicans have nobody here in VA who can beat Mark Warner.

The other 5 GOP "might retires" mentioned:

1. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

2. Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico.

3. Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina.

4. Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi.

5. Senator Larry Craig of Idaho.

Anybody from those states have local insights? New Mexico jumps out at me: maybe Bill Richardson is merely raising his national profile with his announced bid for the nomination, to attract funding for his real objective in '08 - the Senate?

- Dave