Former GOP Gov. Jim Gilmore announces Senate run in Virginia

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: November 19, 2007
Jim Gilmore announces Senate run

WASHINGTON – (CNN) Jim Gilmore officially jumped into the race for the Senate Monday.

The former Republican Governor of Virginia announced in an e-mail and on the Internet that he’s a candidate for the seat of retiring Senator John Warner, a long time Republican Senator from Virginia who announced earlier this year that he’ll retire at the end of his term rather than run for re-election next year....

Gilmore’s announcement sets up an expected high profile contest between two former Virginia governors. Democrat Mark Warner, who succeeded Gilmore at the State House in Richmond, jumped into the race for the senate seat earlier this year. Warner is not related to the retiring senator.

Besides being former Virginia governors, Mark Warner and John Gilmore have something else in common: White House aspirations. Mark Warner contemplated a presidential bid last year before deciding against it. Gilmore jumped into the race for the White House late last year before dropping out in July.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/19/jim-gilmore-announces-senate-run/

[skipos]

1. EVerything indicates Warner will pummel him. nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. They state GOP fixed the primary (just so they can lose, apparently)

Rep. Davis, a republican from northern VA would have been a better candidate, but the state GOP party side-lined Davis by switching from a primary to a state convention.

A republican convention in Virginia is practically a Klan meeting, and relative moderate Davis would have no chance against Gilmore in that forum.

So Davis had to drop out.

It seems like the pugs figured they would lose to Warner either way, but if Davis ran his congressional seat would probably go Dem.

Plus, the nut-right types wanted to "show the flag," re-asserting control over the state party.

[SaveElmer]

3. His congressional seat may still go Dem...

There are rumors here he may not run for reelection and possibly challenge Webb in 4 years...

There are strong Dems already announced for his seat...his district is turning a darker shade of blue every day...and his wife just got pummeled in her reelection bid

Not looking good for Old Tom...

[underpants]

4. The convention basically handed it to Gilmore

the GOP here, as you probably know, has had several open air publice blood lettings between the moderates :eyes: and the conservation fringe. Their last primary was brutal. Now it appears that the conservative "base" is going to be greatly over represented (as is nationally) with Gilmore going down in flames.

[yellowcanine]

5. Oh goody. This is just what I was hoping for. Warner will eat his lunch.

Gilmore is a one note charlie on taxes. And by now most Virginians know it is way more complicated than that. Northern Virginia will come out big for Warner and smother Gilmore. In fact I would't be surprised if Warner wins all the major population centers in the state.