At their State Central Committee meeting this morning in Richmond, Virginia Republicans chose to have a convention to nominate their 2008 nominee for U.S. Senate.This makes it look far less likely that Congressman Tom Davis (husband of the self-proclaimed RINO, Jeannemarie) will get the GOP nomination in 2008.
It's not clear if Davis were to run at the convention and lose, if he could/would still run for re-election to Congress. We'll see, but for now, this is a major defeat for Tom Davis!!
[UPDATE #1: Given yesterday's Washington Post Poll (Mark Warner 61%-Jim Gilmore 31%) and Gilmore's problems raising money (Warner raised $10 million during his run for President- Gilmore raised $350,000...with only $84,900 from Virginia)- this couldn't be better news for Mark Warner.]
[UPDATE #2 by Lowell: The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that the vote was 47 to 37 for a convention, not a primary. Also, "There was speculation that Davis, now, would not seek the nomination, leaving the field to Gilmore."]
Gilmore's got enough pride at stake and enough time on his hands that he may read his narrow victory at a convention full of conservative republicans as a sign that "he's back, baby..."
This will be great fun. Go Gilmore!
I love how people on this site talk about who will run and who wont with no knowledge of the candidate or staff and no personal relationship to back it up.
Y'all must know that Congressman Davis MUST have realized that he would probably lose this vote.
He was not present at the meeting, but Gilmore was.
Davis will truck on if he wants too, and still has a significant monetary advantage over Gilmore, which he will only continue to have.
But he'll presumably inform that decision with polls and chances of winning weighed against the comfort of his current seat or a cushy private sector job.
You're right, I have no knowledge of Davis or his staff. I do, however, have first hand knowledge of rational, calculating politicians. In making my prediction, I am ascribing to him rationality and an interest in winning/looking good...which thus far seems warranted.
I think his options are pretty clear, and they are not so sweet.
Nobody who is republican has sweet options.
2008 will go down as an historic year. much like 1939 and 1968
Gilmore tucks tail and runs away.
Landslide victory for Warner.