The December 17 edition of the National Journal has its latest "insiders poll" of top Republican and Democratic Presidential contenders for 2008. Interesting rankings and comments include:*Virginia's junior senator, George Allen, remains in first place among Republicans, with 365 points and 39 first-place votes.
*Arizona Sen. John McCain is second among Republicans, with 337 points and 38 first-place votes. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney moves up to #3, with 168 points and 4 first-place votes, with former NY City Mayor Rudy Giuliani holding at #4.
*Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (TN) fell sharply in this poll, from #3 to #5, and going from 216 points to only 93 points.
*Others in the running on the Republican side include Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (#7), NY Governor George Pataki (#8), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (#9), and Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel (#10). Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is not on the top-10 list because he has said he isn't running.
*Comments on George Allen include "Has successfully appropriated the mantle of Reagan successor. Still rough around the edges, but improving rapidly" and "Having defeated two female candidates previously, he is a natural match to a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy." Problem is, what if Mark Warner is the nominee, not Hillary Clinton?
*On the Democratic side, the big winner is Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, moving up to #2 on the list with 283 points and 10 first-place votes. The National Journal comment on Warner is that "Since protege Tim Kaine won Virginia's governorship, Warner has had a great month. But how will a Southern centrist fare when primary voters weigh in?"
*Warner contines to trail Hillary Clinton (440 points and 76 first-place votes), but "some
Insiders wonder whether she's started her general election positioning too soon. "
*Former NC Sen. John Edwards falls from #2 to #3, replaced by Mark Warner. Sen. Evan Bayh (IN) holds at #4, while Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack moves up from #7 to #5. Another winner is Sen. Joe Biden (DE), up from #8 to #6.
*New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson falls from #6 to #7 in this poll, while Sen. John Kerry (MA) plummets from #5 to #8. General Wesley Clark almost falls off the list, at #10, while Al Gore moves up from #10 to #9.
*Comments on Mark Warner include "He is the Southern alternative, as well as the strongest moderate alternative" and "If Warner's recent trip to New Hampshire is any indication, he has a chance." However, one insider questions whether "a right-of-center, pro-business Democrat can get the Democratic nomination" but adds that "In any event; [Warner is] already on the short list for VP."
So, there we have it, as 2005 winds to a close and the 2006 mid-term election year looms. Two leading Virginians - Mark Warner and George Allen - are seen as top candidates to be President in 2008, with Mark Warner particularly on a roll right now. Warner vs. Allen for President in 2008? That seemed far fetched just a few months ago, but after Tim Kaine's victory in November, it sure doesn't anymore! So, get ready, my fellow Virginians, because our Commonwealth could very well turn out to be Ground Zero of the 2008 Presidential contest.