Mark Warner's political future?

[rogue emissary]

Just wondering what does everybody think Warner should do after '05? I realize all signs are now pointing at a presidential run.

[saltpoint]

1. I think he'll go for president, do fairly well but not enough to

offset other of our candidates with more long-standing national profiles.

Probably a very good chance to wind up as the VP nominee, maybe?

[rogue emissary]

2. "True, he'd help balance a ticket."

That'll be a necessity if the presidential nominee is from a northern state.

[liberalitch]

3. Senate 2006, then president in 2008.....

he can stay in the senate (and politically alive) if he doesn't win....

[rogue emissary]

5. "That's what I was hoping he'd do."

[reality based]

4. If he defeats the right wing golden boy for Senate

he will get the national attention he needs to be a national ticket contender. Clinton, Clark, Kerry, Edwards are first tier. Warner, Bayh, Richardson, Feingold, Boxer are second tier. At this point I would guess Warner has a chance to be on the ticket with Hillary. Early horse race guesses aren't worth much. I have to observe, however, that somehow these candidates are going to have to satisfy the Democratic rank and file on Iraq. No one did a very good job of that last time, but Democrats won't be so forgiving next time given the way things are not working out. What does Warner offer on that subject?

[rogue emissary]

6. "I live in Virginia and honestly couldn't tell you."

Frankly, that's what I'd answer for a lot of his positions.

If Warner decides only to run for president in '08. He could be betting that we'll be out of Iraq, or on our way to pulling out by '08. It's one hell of a bet, but '08 is a long ways out.

[reality based]

7. It's going to take long past 2008 to restore Humpty Dumpty

Mess-o-potamia will haunt us for years after any withdrawal in ways that Vietnam never did. We have sown the wind. Democrats are going to have to fix it.

[rogue emissary]

10. "True, and it's disturbing that a lot of politicians don't get that."

[Catchawave]

8. I voted for the Senate run because

...I really want to get rid of Senator "Forrest Gump" Allen (no offense to Forrest!). But the nasty GOP machine is already cranking up for the 2005 gov election, so I worry Warner could lose in '06, from the whiplash, should Kilgore win.

That probably made no sense...

:silly:

[Virginian]

9. Allen has got to go.

Mark Warner may be the only one who can defeat him.

[rogue emissary]

11. Exactly, if there was another strong Democrat that could run . . .

and win against Allen. I wouldn't be so doubtful of a Mark Warner presidential run.

[rogue emissary]

12. I understand and share your concern, . . .

but if we don't take some risk we won't be turning Virginia blue.