Looks like John Warner may be retiring

[cali]

He's holding a news conference tomorrow to announce his future plans, and he's been hinting at stepping down due to his age. If Mark Warner runs, we have an excellent chance at picking up that seat.

[AlCzervik]

1. i wonder Allen will attempt to tun for his seat?

[cali]

2. I'd love to see Allen get beaten

again.

[AlCzervik]

3. way fun and Allen's ego is huge enough to let him make an attempt.

[RavensChick]

31. So would I!

Memo to Mark Warner: RUN, RUN, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you.

[More Than A Feeling]

4. He and former governor Jim Gilmore can tear each other to shreds

while Mark Warner kicks back in his office and laughs.

[AlCzervik]

7. oooo i forgot about him! that primary will be so ugly! mmmmpopcorn.

[RavensChick]

32. I'll bring a huge tub of popcorn

and we can watch the fireworks blazin' in the office!

:popcorn:

[Cabcere]

43. Haha! That would rule.

:D Allen and Gilmore are both colossal idiots - I can't believe Gilmore even thought he had a chance at the White House! :rofl: I mean, seriously...I'm from the Shenandoah Valley, and if you're a Republican and people there hate you, you are SO SCREWN. :rofl: Geeeez.

:loveya: Mark Warner!

[onenote]

5. he might. Also Tom Davis is widely expected to try for Warner's seat

if he retires.

[Va Lefty]

14. Davis and Gilmore will battle it out for pug nomination

It will be bloody, Davis is a Congressman from Northern Va. and probably a stronger candidate in general election but Gilmore has the wingnuts in his corner. I don't think "Macaca" will run for Senate. I look for him to run for Governor after Kaine's term expires

[onenote]

19. davis is in a tricky position

He has tried to paint himself as a "moderate" repub -- and has cast a number of votes that would probably not sell well with the wingnut side of the party outside northern virginia. On the other hand, his support within northern virginia has been diminished by some of the things he has done as a member of the repub leadership, such as supporting the terry schiavo bullshit. In short, by trying to be all things to all people, he may end up not having anyone's enthusiastic support.

[Virginia Dare]

20. He's definitely walking a wire right now..

did you catch this, many in his district are less than happy with him at present?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=50624&mesg_id=50663

[onenote]

26. yep.I'm actually in Tom's district

and I know him personally dating back to his days on the County Council. He's actually not a bad guy (for a repub), but he's let his ambitions lead him astray, imo.

[Virginia Dare]

28. Mine too..

even though he hasn't strayed too far, he's pragmatic and has shifted ever slightly to the left.

I think when he had his ass handed to him a couple of years ago, and all of his candidates got beat, it humbled him a bit. There's also his wife's ambitions to consider as well.

[Va Lefty]

21. Good point on Davis

I think your right. Also my illustrious congressman Bob "No Gambling on the Internet" Goodlatte has been making noises that he would like to run if John Warner retires. The wingnuts would have no problems with his positions on most issues.

[cali]

44. Go Goodlatte!

What an ass he is. Sorry you're burdened with him. But man, this could be one ugly and entertaining primary. Just curious, do any of these guys stand a chance of beating Warner? And is it definite that Warner will run if Warner does step down?

[Va Lefty]

45. No, I don't think any of these guys can beat Mark Warner

Of those 3, Davis is probably the strongest. We have to remember that at this time in his campaign very few people thought Webb had a chance against "macaca". As much as many people are writing him off, I don't think we've seen the last of "macaca". Sadly, there are still alot of people here who would vote for him for Sen. or Gov.

[Virginia Dare]

24. Maybe the future Mrs. Jenna Bush will run for Lt.?...n/t

[BonnieJW]

33. Allen has already been governor of Virginia.

I don't think he can run again.

[Va Lefty]

37. Virginia law says you can't serve consecutive terms

Mills Godwin Jr. served two terms as Governer '66-'70 and '74-'78

[Wiregrass Willie]

18. Let's hope so.

We'll get Mrs Webb to run against him, and beat him again.

[RavensChick]

34. Word!

That would be an interesting cat fight, LOL!

[Virginia Dare]

23. Supposedly Allen wants to run for Gov again..

I don't think he'll try for the Senate again, not just yet anyway.

[Alcibiades]

6. He was probably given a choice: retirement or brain cancer

Given his criticism of the Bush war.

[itsrobert]

8. Face it a lot of voters are dumb

They will see the name "Warner" and they will just vote for name recognition.

[AlCzervik]

9. gosh you're charming.

[itsrobert]

16. Just telling like it is

A lot of Dubya voters thought they were voting for the first President Bush. It's well documented.

[RavensChick]

35. Thanks.

[cali]

10. That's fine in this case n/t

[AlCzervik]

11. yes but also those voters were smart enough to rid themselves of George Allen.

[RavensChick]

38. The moment George said "macaca"

his career was over.

[Virginia Dare]

22. It's already happened once, we know the drill now...n/t

[Captain Hilts]

12. Warner might as well introduce Mark Warner at the press conference. nt

[Virginia Dare]

30. Webb and Warner would be an excellent duo for Virginia...n/t

[Captain Hilts]

41. And his presidential run made MW a better speaker, etc. Better candidate now than before. nt

[Cabcere]

42. I agree.

:) I would've liked to see Mark Warner run for President, but I can see why he chose not to. That said, I'd love to have him as a senator! :)

[TwilightGardener]

13. Chuck Hagel's going to retire too--he's going to try to get Bob Kerrey into his seat--

so TWO pickups are possible, if Kerrey can run a good campaign against whichever R is nominated here.

[cali]

15. 2 pickups? There's also NH

and CO. If Shaheen runs against Sunnunu, he's history, and Udall has the advantage in CO. It's also plausible that Norm Coleman will get ousted in MN. In the rosiest of Scenarios, dems could end up with 56 seats in the Senate.

[TwilightGardener]

17. That would be excellent. I'm not crazy about ol' Bob "Lieberman" Kerrey, but

the man served, and gave up a leg in Vietnam, so I do respect him--even though I don't like his war position. I'm kinda grateful that Nebraska will even be competitive--thanks to Chuck Schumer for recruiting a viable guy.

[NewJeffCT]

46. There are a few others that could be competitive

What happens if Stevens in Alaska is indicted, or forced to resign, or maybe retires ahead of the authorities?

And, doesn't the guy in NM (Domenici?) have problems as well?

Of course, Landrieau in Louisiana and Johnson in SD may have tough races being D senators in red states.

[Virginia Dare]

25. This will set the stage for a full scale revolt from Bush...

I think after Warner announces retirement you will see him come out as an outspoken critic of the war and of Bush. His political career is over, he's old, and he's got all the money he'll ever need, if this proves to be the case, I guess he does have a shred of integrity left afterall. I wish there were more like him.

[LynneSin]

27. Maybe Rick Santorum will run for his seat

he lives in Virgina now

[Virginia Dare]

29. So does Tom Delay...

wouldn't that be fun?

[RavensChick]

39. Oh, great

just what my neighboring state VA needs--another asshole in office. I used to work in Northern VA so you have my sympathies.

[Canuckistanian]

36. Mr. Elizabeth Taylor is resigning?

What's Liz's reaction?

[RavensChick]

40. Good question...

But she's probably gonna call Michael Jackson first to get some advice.