Warner, for Senate, Hillary for Presidency - Collision Course?

There has been a ton of coverage, in both the national press, as well as the statewide press in VA, and in the blogosphere, as to what Mark Warner will do - run for Senate or run for Governor?  And some of that speculation has to do with what COULD happen if Hillary wins the nomination.

Now remember, Uncle Bill was never popular in VA.  Even in 1996, when running against Bob Dole, Uncle Bill lost VA.  He carried Arizona, long a GOP held state in presidential politics just like VA but Uncle Bill still couldn't crack the Old Dominion.

All of our fearless leaders in our beloved Virginia Democratic Party (known as the "establishment") all jumped on the Hillary bandwagon, daydreaming of years gone by when the Dems occupied the White House, i.e., Bill, Hillary, Monica and that flea bitten dog Muddy, or Woody....I forget his name...but I digress. 

Now, as I said, the establishment has come out for Hillary.  And most of the "establsihment" types are also very close to Mark Warner.  But of course, they agreed to support Hillary never suspecting that John Warner would retire, opening this seat up for their beloved Mark Warner. 

Now I hardly think that Mark Warner's dream of running for the U.S. Senate included running with Hil at the top of the ticket.  So, what do these establsihment types do?  Do they bail on Hil, and RUN to the nearest campaign office of Edwards or Obama to sign up?  What DO they do?  Do they stick with Hil and than battle the same cross-currents they set in motion as a result of their support for Hil? What would Mark Warner want them to do? 

What would Larry Craig do?  Probably stop at the nearest men's room for some foor stomping down time!  LOL!  So many questions, so little time.  But I digress...

Now, Mudcat has posted some intereting thoughts on Mark and Hil running together.  I totally agree with him that Hil would be a disaster for him running at the top of the ticket.  Can you imagine the old Clinton baggage that will surface with Hil at the top of the ticket:  Travelgate, Vince Foster, Rose Law Firm Billing Records, VINCE FOSTER, Whitewater, VINCE FOSTER, the health insurance debacle, etc., etc., etc.  And then there is the issue of all national security issues - why did your husband decide not to take out Bin Laden when he had the chance.  And then, there is the bimbo eruption issue -  have we really heard EVERYTHING there is to hear?  Do we take the chance and pray we have?  The entire election will turn into a discussion of the past, and everyone knows you can't win a naitonal election talking about the past.  And that is what Hil will end up doing - defending her and Bill's past.  And the Republican Senate nominee will do the same thing to Warner, linking him to the Clinton's and forcing him to defend THEIR past. 

Unlike most, I think Gilmore would be the stronger candidate for the GOP against Warner.  Gilmore can be a junkyard dog - Davis is too much of a Mr. Nice Guy.  Gilmore will excite the GOP and feed them nothing but red meat the entire campaign.  He will bury Warner with everything I referenced in the paragraph above - heck, we might even get copies of Rose Law Firm billing records mailed out as a GOTV mailers in high Repub., precincts! 

As I said, I think Mucdcat is right - but i don't beleive that Warner would necessarily survive the onslaught that is coming if Hil Is the nominee.  And Edwards - Mudcat what were you thinking - 15 points?  Edwards would be buried.

Hil's negatives are way too high - and when the onslaught of of negative ads hits, they will be driven up even higher.  With Hil at the top of the ticket, Warner will have to secure the cross-over vote of tens of thousands of Virginians -  but can he do that with Hil at the top of the ticket - I am not so sure.  Even though Warner ran well is Southwest VA during his campaign for Governor, that was a statewide race.  This will be a national, federal election and voters in more conservative parts of the state have a way of "Coming Home" in federal elections.  And the Southwestern part of the state is home to tens of thousands of voters who are "national Election voters," meaning they only vote in presidential elections and have no attachment to Mark Warner whatsoever. 

So, there you have it.  And a warning - folks need to wake up.  Hillary is going to be a disaster if she is our nominee.  And to those "establshment" types, you especially need to wake up.  Think about this - too much is at stake in 2008.  And after you think about it, maybe you need to talk to Mark too. 

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