Who will run against Allen?

[VADem11]

I've heard that L.F. Payne, the '97 Lt. Gov nominee may challenge Allen. I am sure that Warner will not enter the race. Does anyone else know of anybody else that will challenge Allen?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. What makes you so sure about Warner?

I think he could easily defeat Allen, and I don't think he has ruled out a run.

[VADem11]

2. It would be risky

for him to challenge Allen. On one hand he could knock out a terrible senator or he could lose and have his political career damaged. I hope he runs but IMO, I think he will likely run for POTUS in 2008 or the senate seat in 2008.

[autorank]

3. That is a risk but no one term Gov. is going to get the 2008 nomination.

That's the nature of our system here. We just give them one term and no matter how good the record (Wilder and Warner were both excellent under difficult conditions), it's one term. If he doesn't get some more credibility, he'll not make it. I think he'd nail Allen bigtime. I'd love to see that.

[VaYallaDawg]

4. I'd be surprised if we don't see Warner opposing Allen. N/T

[Vadem]

5. I certainly hope that Mark Warner challenges George Allen...

for his Senate seat! I do not want Mark Warner to run for President! He is too Repub-lite for me. I want him to challenge George Allen for the Senate seat! We need to get George Allen out of the Senate and out of politics! Hopefully, John Warner will retire this election and we could get a Dem in his seat! (Dream on, Vadem!)

[abluelady]

6. Amen!

I am 100% in agreement with you. I do not want him for a President but I would love him to remove Allen from the Senate. Perhaps after his stint as a senator, I would be happier to vote for him as President. He needs to be more of a Dem and less a Repub-lite to make me happy to have him as President.

[DaveinMD]

7. Warner will run for President

I'd love to see Lt. Gen Claudia Kennedy challenge Allen.

[jackbourassa]

8. What about Chuck Robb?

I agree with the rest. No one-term Governor will ever win the nomination. Remember Edwards? Another self-financed candidate who claimed appeal in the south. Only to lose.

After all, didn't Warner raise taxes in Virginia? How will that play out in "red America?"

People in Virginia need to knock some sense into Warner's head. Plus, with Hillary getting the DLC vote, who will support him?

Warner is best for the Senate. But if he does make the blunder of running for Prez, what about Robb?

[Virginian]

12. Re: "I'd love to see Lt. Gen Claudia Kennedy challenge Allen."

Brain dump about why a woman can't beat Allen:

With his Rovian tactics, Allen destroyed Mary Sue Terry when she ran against him for governor. I like Mary Sue, I wish she would run for something so I could vote for her again.

Red state, bible belt Virginia will not vote for a lesbian and that is the way any woman who opposes Allen will be portrayed. There will be a whispering campaign about her sexual orientation. Or Limbaugh will come right out and call her a lesbian, which, of course, will make it true. :sarcasm:

We all know the clergy will come out against any woman seeking any office higher than PTA president. Check out Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and their attitudes about women in politics.

Remember the redneck at Fort Qualls shouting at Cindy, "Go home and take care of your family." That will be the attitude from Red State men about any woman running for elective office. I would guess that 80% of the men in VA would not vote for a woman over a man regardless of qualifications.

[17th and B]

9. Warner is out of the Senate race in 2006

We'll see who runs instead... Lt. Gen Kennedy would be a great candidate!

[VaYallaDawg]

10. Color me surprised!

It'll be interesting to see how Warner fares in the long run. Supposedly he's thinking about a Presidential run - I wish him good luck if he does, but I'm afraid the GOP will chew him up and spit him out - hope not, but that's the reality these days.

[jackbourassa]

11. Warner has no chance for Prez. None at all.

He is fooling himself. His only qualification is that he was governor of Virginia. A one-term governor to boot. Elected against a weak opponent. Not very encouraging for Presidential prospects.

Maybe he'll come to his senses and run for the Senate in 2008. I hear the other Warner may be retiring.

[safi0]

18. The main reason

Warner is being talked up as a Pres. candidate is that he's from Virginia. If he had the same approval ratings that he does, had a similar record and was from Connecticut he would be just another Liberal Governor.

[Catchawave]

13. Doug Wilder?

Or is he too old? What's Chuck Robb doing these days? Didn't he lose to Allen?

What reps do we have that are popular and kick Allen butt?

[rogue emissary]

14. I doubt he'd do it now.

A few years ago he'd probably jump at the opportunity. Now that he is Richmond's Mayor, he has the chance to improve the city. Also his age wouldn't necessarily stop him from running as there are older congress members. In a recent interview he hinted that being the Mayor will probably be his last position in government.

Robb lost to Allen by more than four or five points. The only problem with him running against Allen again is his standing. He's been out of the spotlight so long that his name recognition and favorable opinion rating might be too low to beat Allen.

Other than Warner, I can't think of anyone with his high favorable rating and connections to recourses. Whoever they get to run is going to be fighting an up hill battle.

[Catchawave]

15. You're right, thanks for sharing your thoughts....

I can't believe the Dem pool is so weak in Virginia. My worst fear Allen will run unopposed, and 2006 should be a cake walk for the Dems with the Katrina/Iraq Chimp supporting GOP aftershocks.

[rogue emissary]

16. I'd love to be wrong.

It's depressing that Warner is oblivious or refuses to acknowledge the small pool of Democrats that might run successfully. True, 06 should be a cake walk for us.

Thinking about it a little more there's a situation that might motivate Wilder not to retire.

A recent article suggests that Wilder still has some sway with voters. It described how he's being visited by all three candidates. Having two Republicans vie to get Wilder's endorsement gives the impression that his name, and reputation haven't faded. A Wilder endorsement that could help Kaine win and is largely due to a big turnout from African Americans. Now that could get the local DNC to beg Wilder to run against Allen. It's not even clear if Wilder could win, but he'd certainly bloody Allen. Which would do a lot for stopping Allen's presidential ambition. Wilder going to be a big wild card in who he's endorse and if he'll run for another seat.

We also could luck up and find a Paul Hackett type to run. I still hope Warner would come to his senses and run against Allen. I think Warner really stumbled with his early announcement.

[Catchawave]

17. Hey, I'd settle for "bloodying Allen" :)

Wilder could certainly do that, and possibly win too. Guess we'll have a better plan after we get Kaine in office :)