According to the January 5 Hotline On Call, George Allen is cranking things up for 2008 - and barely even slowing down for his 2006 re-coronation as Senator. The latest news is that Allen has hired Ed Gillespie, "one of the most well-respected, most well-connected Republicans in Washington," as treasurer of his PAC, "Good Government for America." According to the Hotline:
Allen will spend his '06 raising money for his Senate re-election campaign. But to keep his options open for 2008, he'd need a firm hand to manage the financial affairs of his leadership PAC and help develop a larger network of donors[...]
And while [Allen] has a stable of talent -- including consultant Chris LaCivita, chief of staff Dick Wadhams -- and the potential for corporate connections -- his close confidant, Jay Timmons, is an SVP at the National Association of Manufacturers -- Allen was missing the seasoned national strategist to put it all together, money-wise.
Gillespie fills that gap.
In other words, Allen is girding for war in 2008. Unless, of course, Allen's so afraid of all-but-announced Democratic opponent Harris Miller that he's really beefing up his campaign for 2006. Or, I suppose that Allen could be worried about a run by James Webb, the former Navy Secretary and war hero. Or maybe Allen has already decided to run for President, and the 2006 Senate race is merely a speedbump (or practice?) along the way.
Regardless, Allen's hiring of recent Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ed Gillespie, founder of conservative lobbying firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates, tells me that Allen's extremely serious about 2008, but not very serious at all about 2006. That's why we Democrats need a candidate who can stop George Allen now. Or, at the minimum, we need someone who can make Allen sweat big time. And if we're lucky enough, we'll get one: James Webb. My understanding is that Webb is currently in the midst of seriously pondering a run. Will this old soldier re-enlist for another chance to serve his country? Will he take on George Allen for Senate in 2006? Sign the petition to Draft James Webb and let's encourage him to do just that! Thanks.
P.S. Interestingly, Public Citizen described Ed Gillespie, who Allen just hired, as "an embedded lobbyist" and analyzed that Gillespie's appointment as RNC Chairman "opened a conduit for corporate America to strengthen its already formidable influence in the White House and Congress." Public Citizen also wrote about Gillespie: "Ricocheting between the roles of political strategist, corporate flack, and voluble pundit, he has demonstrated a disregard for the notion of a conflict of interest." Great, just what we need in the days of Jack Abramoff, another lobbyist/corporate flack who doesn't care about the public interest. Great pick, Senator Allen!