Over at Swing State Project, there's an interesting discussion about the most interesting US Senate races for 2008. Not surprisingly, Virginia is on the list. Here are a few comments I thought were interesting:*"If Mark Warner runs against John Warner or Tom Davis, it would instantly be our biggest pickup (I don't think the Republican party could ressurect anyone, Thomas Jefferson or Washington, run them, and beat Mark Warner at this point)"
*"...in Virginia, Mark Warner's approval rating wouldn't stand up as much in a federal race where he would have to take a stand on divisive issues that he could easily avoid as a Governor. While he would still be a very strong candidate, he wouldn't be guaranteed the rural Republican votes he picked up in 2001 as a gubernatorial candidate running against Mark Earley."
*"...yes, there are candidates who could beat Mark Warner in a statewide race for a federal office. M. Warner could easily defeat McDonnell or Bolling for the Governor's mansion in 2009, but for the Senate seat, he'll have to take a position on issues that drive a wedge between him and the rural voters who were instrumental in voting him into office in 2001. And he'll be running to succeed the very successful John Warner in the Senate, and not the disastrous Jim Gilmore. It would certainly be a close race, and Warner may very well win, but to say he's unbeatable is ridiculous."
*"...either Mark Warner runs, or we find another diamond in the rough like Webb. But, hey, it happened once in Virginia, it could happen again!"
*"...Warner's high approval ratings would drop as soon as he enters into a federal race and has to take a position on divisive issues that he easily avoided as Governor. He would still be popular and carry favor in the state, but a 70% approval rating as Governor doesn't translate into 70% of the votes for a federal office."
*"...Democratic pickup if Mark Warner runs and John Warner retires."
*"...On the Democratic side everyone is hoping Mark Warner runs but if he doesn't who else will step up to the plate?"