This is a blog about the 2008 presidential race, so we don't usually weigh in on developments down the ballot. The retirement announcement today of Sen. John Warner, however, will reverberate in the presidential orbit. For one thing, there is a near universal consensus that Warner's retirement puts his seat in jeopardy for the Republicans.
Ex-Gov. Mark Warner, a once-upon-a-time presidential candidate, is probably going to run for the Democratic nomination. He is extremely popular; he will be heavily favored to win; his race will draw upon the same grassroots energies that excited the Democratic base in 2006. Having Warner on the ballot will help the Democratic presidential nominee in Virginia.
Both Mark Warner and Sen. James Webb are considered by the politigensia to be potential vice presidential picks this year. Needless to say, Warner would take himself out of consideration by running for Senate. Will Webb be more attractive, or less attractive, if as a running mate in Warner is on the ballot? It's not clear.
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Just want you to know that you have opponents out here in the "real" United States of America. Who the hell are you anyway? A blog is one thing, but a publication like the Atlantic?
Why do self-proclaimed "intellectuals" (usually on the Red coast) come across as looking down on us poor uneducated folks in the fly-over states?
Marx is dead, his ideas should be buried along with your magazine.
Posted by James Alexander | September 3, 2007 10:06 AM