RK ARCHIVE - Novak: Mark Warner a Possible Running Mate for Hillary?

That's fascinating if true, with large implications for Virginia politics if Warner is selected and does not run for U.S. Senate in 2008 or Governor in 2009. But yeah, I think Mark Warner would be a great pick for Hillary Clinton -- if she's the nominee, which is looking increasingly likely.

Second, Novak reports that "former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) plans to resign November 6 this year instead of finishing out his term," whic will "create a vacancy and trigger a special election in the 14th District" Possible Democratic pickup opportunity? We'll see, but Novak thinks it's "Likely Republican Retention."

In other words, keep an eye on the stock market, not just for your retirement portfolio but also for its political implications. Also, keep an eye on the price of oil, especially if Bush Administration hawks get their way and the United States attacks Iran in the next six months."

Finally, Novak reports that Mike Huckabee's "second-place finish in the Iowa Straw poll has worked wonders for him," while "[Mitt] Romney's lead in the Iowa polls continues to steadily grow." And, last but not least, "If there was any doubt, it's gone now: Fred Thompson will announce his candidacy after Labor Day, with his coming out party his participation in the September 27 GOP debate in Maryland."

Comments

"Looking Increasingly Likely" (Doug in Mount Vernon - 8/22/2007 5:28:21 PM)

Says who?

Certainly not from my vantage...

Hillary's been leading in all the national (Lowell - 8/22/2007 5:44:53 PM)

polls, and pretty much all the state polls as well. Every month that goes by, it gets more likely that she will be the nominee. What do you see differently from your "vantage point?" And I'm not asking who either of us WANT to be the nominee, I'm just asking for an objective, cold-eyed analysis.

Polling this early means nothing (bherring - 8/22/2007 7:02:25 PM)

At this point in 2003, Lieberman and Dean were running away with it.

Admittedly she has strengthened her position in Iowa which will help her immensely if she wins it. But I wouldn't count the one who's led Iowa for a while, John Edwards. The Iowa bump will be pretty huge if it's not Clinton (nowhere to really go for her), and if she doesn't win Iowa, I could see Edwards becoming very, very strong.

But that could just be my fantasy.

Hard to Imagine (K - 8/22/2007 5:38:14 PM)

Warner would be a good fit in the Senate, if the other Warner resigns. He could definitely help the Democratic Party by picking up that seat (and -- wow!! -- imagine red frickin' Virginia with TWO Democrats in the Senate!)

Warner could run for Governor again, though it's really hard to imagine him going back to that grind.

But Hillary's VP? Lordy, I think she could do much better.

"a good fit in the Senate"? (Carrington - 8/22/2007 5:52:52 PM)

Warner has one of the more "executive personalities" we've seen in VA politics in many years. I'm sure he would make it work--but "a good fit" is a real stretch.

By contrast, he is perfectly suited to the Governor's office and would be a great asset to any presidential ticket--but particularly Senator Clinton's. His strengths are her weaknesses and vice versa...

I hope he holds off on the Senate seat and leaves open the VP spot while lining up a gubernatorial run.

Definitely an executive personality (Lowell - 8/22/2007 5:54:54 PM)

Honestly, as much as I'd love to see Webb and (Mark) Warner as our two Senators, I can see Warner more as Governor again or VP. I guess we'll know soon enough, starting in September when John Warner announces what he's going to do.

I don't need the stress (JScott - 8/22/2007 8:01:25 PM)

Lowell I hope folks are wrong and Clinton does seek out Mark Warner. I like Warner and have always viewed him favorably and I couldn't handle the stress of having him on the ticket with someone as you know I could never support. Mark don't do it. Look whats happened to Edwards after making that kind of mistake.

On the one hand (AnonymousIsAWoman - 8/22/2007 8:56:56 PM)

I think Hillary will need somebody less of a centrist than she is on the ticket and Mark is another centrist. She may need somebody more liberal than her to keep the base from dividing.

But on the other hand -and there's always another hand - Mark Warner is a friend and former college roomate of Terry McAuliffe, whose ties to the Clintons go back to the beginning. So, it's not a stretch to imagine Mark being in the running for VP.

Evan Bayh is a DLC Democrat (Lowell - 8/22/2007 9:02:33 PM)

Ted Strickland is a centrist Democrat based on his Project Vote Smart ratings. And, of course, he's Governor of Ohio, a key swing state.

Mark Warner is a centrist, as we all know.

In sum, there are no liberals on Novak's list of Hillary's possible running mates.

At one point (Chris Guy - 8/22/2007 9:46:59 PM)

I thought that Hillary Clinton could easily win the presidency but winning Virginia was out of the question, Warner or not. But now I think she has a legitimate shot at it, so Warner makes sense.

Running Mate for Hillary (Mary I - 8/22/2007 10:08:04 PM)

JScott...I agree with you. What I see regardless of today's selective polls is the Dems will end up with a loss for the White House and Tom Davis will be my Senator.
I really hope Mark Warner doesn't do this.

What Mary I and JScott said (vadem - 8/22/2007 10:50:06 PM)

With Rudy as the GOP nominee, my bet is that Hillary couldn't pull off a GE win. Remember all the right wing whackos who came out to vote against the marraige amendment? They'd rally in spades to vote against her. Where would Mark Warner be then? A has been. Missed the Senate race, too late by then for the Governor's race. All used up.

Yeap!! (JScott - 8/22/2007 11:11:52 PM)

Vadem Thats my fear. If we look at leaders without the party goggles from time to time we find individuals that certainly can lead and make the changes that are neccessary for moving Virginia forward and I think Mark Warner is such a leader. Clinton hopes to portray herself to be the kind of centrist Warner is but I do not think she will be able to pull it off.

Warner (leftofcenter - 8/23/2007 9:47:20 AM)

needs to step up to the plate for the party. We need him in John Warner's seat more than we need him as VP. As VP he cannot make the kind of change that is needed in this country. We need more of a majority in the Senate to actually get legislation passed. Mark Warner would crush any rethug running for the Senate. 2 Dem senators from a so called red state? Would drive the rethugs out of their little minds.

Commonwealth before Party... (Carrington - 8/23/2007 11:32:05 AM)

As a Virginian, I find the "stepping up to the plate for the party" argument unpersuasive. As a Mark Warner supporter, I would like to see him do what is best for the Commonwealth...not the national party.

Personally, given the general dysfunction of Congress, I would rather see Warner's executive personality put to good use back on the 3rd Floor in Richmond. That said, if Warner decides that a run for the Senate is the best way for him to serve Virginia, I'll support him wholeheartedly.

What I DO NOT need to hear is what a Senate run will mean for the national Democratic Party. I could not care less.

I (leftofcenter - 8/23/2007 5:07:09 PM)

meant the DPVA not the national party-I couldn't care less for them either. We need another democrat in the senate besides Webb from Virginia. For us, for Virginia to vote for us.