Breaking: John Warner won’t run for re-election; Update: Davis to run to succeed Warner, says CNN
posted at 2:13 pm on August 31, 2007 by Allahpundit
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His presser’s airing now. Another seat to defend next year in a state that’s already trending blue.
Good news for the Capitol staff, though: they probably won’t have to change the nameplate on his door.
Update: His likely successor as nominee is Rep. Tom Davis, whom the left has already started a file on. Note the Walter Reed and Schiavo items, in particular.
Update: On the other hand, re: Mark Warner, he did unexpectedly drop out of the presidential race last year when everyone thought for sure he’d be running, allegedly to spend more time with his kids but reportedly because he’s got a skeleton in his closet that would have sunk him if he’d run. Radar had a theory about it at the time. If it’s true, it might not keep him out of the Senate. Sexual indiscretion isn’t a real strong weapon for the GOP these days.
Update: It gets worse:
On the Republican side, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.) has long coveted Warner’s seat and has worked assiduously to position himself for a run. A moderate, Davis would probably have serious competition from conservatives, possibly from former governor James S. Gilmore III.
A Davis candidacy would have a domino effect in Fairfax County. Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D), who has refused to commit to finishing his term if reelected in November, has made no secret of his interest in succeeding Davis in the 11th District, where Democrats are gaining strength. Former representative Leslie Byrne has been mentioned as another possible contender.
Update: In yet more good news, it seems Davis is even more of a “maverick” than John Warner is.
Update: Davis wastes no time.
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Is Ollie interested still in a Va seat ?
William Amos on August 31, 2007 at 2:14 PM
Also heard Tom Davis is going to get in it.
That’s going to be a hell of a race. I’m a native Virginia, both are extremely popular.
John from OPFOR on August 31, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Not to sound too harsh, but good riddance.
MT on August 31, 2007 at 2:18 PM
I figured this was coming eventually. I remember him at a memorial day parade in Buena Vista, Virginia that I marched in as a VMI cadet.
He looked very old, very frail. That was years ago.
John from OPFOR on August 31, 2007 at 2:20 PM
Well, one less RINO…But the George Allen macaca fiasco has me wondering; if an elected official can’t go around calling minorities racial slurs and still get elected in Virginia, where in America can they?
Spc Steve on August 31, 2007 at 2:21 PM
what’s the odd’s of George Allen making a comeback?
jp on August 31, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Then we need to, too. We need to start defending these potential replacements.
amerpundit on August 31, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Mark Warner’s the backup nominee for VP behind Hillary, assuming the reports of unhappiness with Obama are accurate. So he’s actually out.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on August 31, 2007 at 2:28 PM
Probably depends on how often people can stand hearing the word “macaca.” Because it ran down a freight train of a campaign in ‘06.
Spc Steve on August 31, 2007 at 2:33 PM
what’s the odd’s of George Allen making a comeback?Slim. Davis is heir apparent.
John from OPFOR on August 31, 2007 at 2:34 PM
damn, quote not strikethrough!
Must.use.preview button.
John from OPFOR on August 31, 2007 at 2:34 PM
Virginia Republicans have their priorities backwards.
It’s House, Senate or AG of Virginia, then it’s on to the Governor’s seat. Then run for President. We like Governors. We don’t want to have to make history and get a sitting US Senator elected President.
gabriel sutherland on August 31, 2007 at 2:37 PM
Heh, I should use the preview too, I’m so used to not having it I still don’t…
Anyway, let’s hope 2008 isn’t a total disaster, and we can at least keep our seats.
Bad Candy on August 31, 2007 at 2:37 PM
Snore…zzzzz…bugger off you crotchety old RINO
We’re all macaca now, George, come on home ;-)
Of far greater importance is that AP should console himself with this
Ochlan on August 31, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Probably CA.
Related: Did you know that the term “illegal alien” is now a racial slur?
MT on August 31, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Go George Allen!!
apostle53 on August 31, 2007 at 2:45 PM
As a Virginian, I shed no tears today. I was really starting to sour on Warner a lot, and had hoped I wouldn’t be forced to vote for him next year.
krabbas on August 31, 2007 at 2:46 PM
I’m also a Virginian (Spotsylvania where men are men, and sheep are nervous!), and I briefly considered throwing my hat in the ring, but realized I hate politicians and I’m not filled with enough self-loathing to become one.
flipflop on August 31, 2007 at 3:10 PM
I hear there’s a couple of undocumented aliens in Virginia Beach who are interested in running.
Oh, nevermind. My bad. That was hitting and running.
fogw on August 31, 2007 at 3:22 PM
Well thats some good news before the weekend, now if only Arlen Specter would step down my holiday weekend would really be complete!
deadbackpacker on August 31, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Buh-bye.
Labamigo on August 31, 2007 at 5:22 PM
That is double-plus ungood news.
Nosferightu on August 31, 2007 at 5:50 PM
A RINO in a “rat” controlled Senate has no purpose. Good riddance! I’m not sure that it will remain in the “R” column but Virginia has long been ill served by Warner. Again, good riddance.
highhopes on August 31, 2007 at 7:06 PM
Had C-Span running in parallel with HA surfing and caught some of his ‘good-riddance’ speech. I’ve liked the Sen. from Virginia, historically. As of late, however, he seems to be channeling the as-of-late Ms. Noonan, while trying to engage the actual Reaper. He said that he’s getting out in order to speak freely about Iraq. I cringe on what’s in his increasingly older mind. Some people never get enough power highs. It’s really a shame that even good ones don’t retire with/into decency.
Entelechy on August 31, 2007 at 7:12 PM
Thank God! Warner has been absolutely useless as a Senator from the day he was elected. Only thing I’m concerned about is who is going to wind up in his seat.
pilamaye on August 31, 2007 at 7:33 PM
Conservatives can still leverage immigration. That issue is a big winner for us in 2008. Pro-illegal Democrats need to face a stiff challenge, if just to drain money and resources away from races in which Republicans are vulnerable.
Theworldisnotenough on August 31, 2007 at 8:39 PM
I have news for you guys: Davis lives in RINO-ville. He’s my Congressman and I’ve voted for independents in the last two elections. Why? On earmarks he’s somewhere between Robert C. Byrd and Trent Lott. On social policy he’s Arlen Specter. His office staff is rude, too. I’ll never vote for Davis - John Warner is to his right, no joke.
It’s likely that Gilmore or another conservative will jump in, and that conservative deserves our wholehearted support. To elect Davis is to elect a Northern Virginian (with every negative connotation that entails) whose feet are planted in Fairfax County and whose head is already planted inside the Beltway.
I say this as a native Alexandrian: *Beware*.
fiatboomer on August 31, 2007 at 8:42 PM
The GOP won the last election by less than 200,000 votes. You have 27 million voters out there who are going to vote for the Dims for a healthcare plan. My point is the Dims are willing to sell out this country for their shamnesty plan, to finance that plan with our tax dollars doesn’t matter,in the trillions I have heard. And here we are, so dead set, unmoving on this issue. If they are willing to bank roll for votes I know and believe the only way the GOP can win is to fight fire with fire..Its not your money anyway and thats how most common folk feel about all that money the gov. has and spends..You have to think like a Dim..Tell 27 million you have some kind of a plan for healthcare and you win..I credit MM for bringing me around. She was the first person I had seen on TV that actually had a plan on illegal immigration. Now I am returning the favor. Everyone is still going to pay into the system. The problem now is that all the smaller companies (backbone of our nation) are not getting the same price benefits larger companies get. To me thats an easy fix. I was for Trancredo before I heard him at the last debate and had no plan and no feeling for all the hard working americans out here with no health ins. I like his stand on the illegal immigration issue but was really disappointed in his no plan for ins. Mitt’s plan is at least a plan and can be worked out..Like I said the Dims are going to use Trillions to buy their votes and here we are the party who would rather lose the most important election this country is ever going to face. We’re not doomed Sen. Warner not by a long shot..!!! Ps, I know this is a taboo topic for all the ultra rights, just bite the bullet on this one ok I need my FENCE.
Legions on August 31, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Explain the 27 million number.?? sorry, this is the total number of people being reported by the news networks as of last week with no health ins.
Legions on August 31, 2007 at 10:07 PM