RK ARCHIVE - Options for Tom Davis?

1. Run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination next year and lose to Jim Gilmore in a convention.

2. Run for re-election as U.S. Congressman from the 11th district, and face a brutal, probably losing, race against a top-tier Democrat like Leslie Byrne.

3. Quit politics, especially after his wife loses to Chap Petersen on November 6, and go make millions of dollars at some corporation he's helped out over the years.

If I were Tom Davis, I'd select option #3. As a partisan Democrat, though, I've got to say I kind of like option #2, because I think Davis would lose, but also would help drive up turnout in the strongly Democratic 11th district for Mark Warner and the Democratic presidential nominee. Either way, Democrats win as far as I can tell.

Comments

Never too late to do the right thing. (jsrutstein - 10/13/2007 6:06:51 PM)

Option # 4, Tom and Jeannemarie Devolites Davis should apologize to their constituents for abandoning their principles and doing the bidding of a most unprincipled GOP leadership. At that point, they could switch parties, or they can pledge to begin the long hard process of reforming the GOP.

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath waiting for THAT (Lowell - 10/13/2007 6:19:46 PM)

to happen. On the other hand, JMDD has now essentially repudiated the Republican Party, calling herself a "RINO," so you never know! :)

Variation on Option 3... (Steven J. Berke - 10/13/2007 6:33:42 PM)

Retire from the House (he really doesn't want to be in the minority, which is guaranteed for at least until 2011)...keep his money and run for Governor in 2009. Of course, Bob McDonnell would be a tougher opponent than Gilmore, but the GOP would have a much harder time justifying a convention in 2009 when they had a primary last time and the Democrats certainly will this time, and the nomination may actually be worth having.

this is what I have been predicting (teacherken - 10/13/2007 9:12:58 PM)

he can foresee a 4-way race (with Gilmore out of the running), with the AG and LT Gov and George Allen chopping one another up, and with open voting in a primary a real chance to take the nomination with about 1/3 of the vote.

I hope he runs again (Ron1 - 10/13/2007 6:58:06 PM)

I've joked around in a lot of comments that I hope he leaves his seat open and tries to run for the US Senate, but really I want that scumbag's career ended by the voters of the 11th, courtesy of whichever Dem (Byrne/Denneny/?) wins the primary. He is the worst kind of politician -- arrogant, corrupt, in it for such cynical reasons.

Option #2 (Barbara - 10/13/2007 9:14:57 PM)

He will certainly not run against Warner (too bad; it would have been fun). Still, I doubt it has occured to him that he could actually loose an election. Plus he has deep pockets, and he is way too arrogant to walk away.

This must put a crimp in Corey's plans.

Oh I think Davis is aware he's in trouble (Annie - 10/13/2007 11:49:52 PM)

He's been working the neighborhoods ringing doorbells for Jeanie Marie -- he hit my street in September and followed up with a personal letter a few weeks later mentioning my dogs who greeted him (they do get protective for shelties ;-)

Davis has lasted as long as he has because he's really, really good at constituent service as in senator Al "Pothole" Damato good. I hear time and time again from folks about how his office helped out with one thing or another. Heck even my parents voted for him a few times in the 90s!

Davis will lose re-election (Chris Guy - 10/13/2007 11:11:56 PM)

the Dem presidential candidate will take at least 60% in the 11th district. He can't overcome that.

All things staying the same, and Tom Davis doesn't.... (bladerunner - 10/14/2007 5:48:26 PM)

get caught in the bathroom with a wide stance, I don't thinks Leslie Byrne can beat Davis. Too many people and the Washington Post like Davis. If he doesn't run for Senate, he'll run in the 11th again.

Tom Davis has been weakened and will be (Lowell - 10/14/2007 6:12:02 PM)

weakened further on November 6, when his wife loses. In other words, all things have not stayed the same. As far as the Washington Post is concerned, I don't believe their endorsements matter much.

He'll not only be (Chris Guy - 10/14/2007 7:17:38 PM)

on the same ballot as the GOP presidential candidate, who'll probably lose badly. But Jim Gilmore as well. It's amazing how people underestimate Byrne. I love it.