Jennifer McClellan is on that panel.

I think he's really pushing it if he think's e can run again in 08. But heck, I hope we don't give him a free pass.

You got that Mark?

maybe Warner is just super excited to work with someone (Jim Webb) who is competent for a change...

;)

I think this cements that Warner will run for Governor in 09.

I really don't think he wants to be a Senator, and running against Warner in 08 with Iraq and other security risks looming large carries a lot of risk for Mark in a Warner-Warner rematch. I think he'll take a pass and start preparing for 09.

The question becomes, who runs against him? It would take a perfect storm for any Democrat to be John Warner in a time of heightened global insecurity.

I agree with you.  It would be tough.  Additionally, I have never really strongly disliked John Warner, and though I think his commercials for Allen were a bit off-putting I always understood why he was doing them.

John Warner may not run. I think he's just toying with everyone. I don't think he's made up his mind up yet.

It could be an elaborate game of chicken, but it seems like he has good reasons for running again.

It's a classic glass half full or half empty syndrome. On the upside, John Warner would moderate the crazies in his party so we avoid future foreign policy blunders. On the downside, Warner is another vote for Republican Leadership and we miss a great pickup opportunity.

The real question becomes - any chance Warner gets primaried for his RINOitis? Is there a George Fitch out there crazy enough to challenge Warner (although I can't blame him for trying to stop Kilgore).

Why would Mark want to run a rematch of '96?  He's clearly an executive.  One of the many upsides to him running for governor is it helps put a lid on a would-be Allen or Gilmore return to the governor's mansion.

I don't necessarily think neither would run if Mark ran in '09, but holy smokes, what a costly campaign for either Allen or Gilmore (or Bolling or McDonnell for that matter) with Warner's money, power, and popularity in the race.

Sure, we wish John Warner would retire, but his staying in creates a log jam in Va. GOP politics.  It means a lot of high-profile Republicans have to fight for the governorship.  It also stops the one Republican who can really win votes in NOVA, Tom Davis, from furthering his career until about 2014, by which time, due to redistricting in '12, he could be a the 11th's former congressman.

Excellent idea about the 11th.

I'd think that Repubs would like to protect Davis, but with how much that district is changing, I think the right candidate could beat Davis. I don't think anyone expected Hurst to get 44%; a lot of that you have to attribute to Jim's landslide in the 11th, but it's still a lot closer than most people thought. I wonder if some candidate with Fairfax ties, the ability to fundraise, and an army of grassroots support would challenge Davis....maybe someone else looking for a rematch...

*Cough* Leslie Byrne *Cough*

Andy and / or another outstanding candidate will be ready to take the 11th regardless of the GOP hierarchy.

Davis is ripe for the picken and we just begun make all of the 11th BLUE.

The best thing for VA is to get rid of Jean-Marie in '07, and then we can go after Tom again in '08.  No rest for the wicked.