This is a brief diary, but one that I believe is well worth reporting on.
Today Rasmussen is reporting that former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner absolutely obliterates fellow former Gov. Jim Gilmore.
From the Poll:
Jim Gilmore (R): 34%
Mark Warner (D): 54%
More below
UPDATE: I don't know how I missed this earlier, but they also matched Mark Warner up against Congressman Tom Davis. Take a look:
Tom Davis (R): 30%
Mark Warner (D): 57%
Booya!
As everyone probably knows by now, current Virgnia Senator John Warner recently announced that he will not seek a fifth term. This decision, coupled with the released Rasmussen poll, shows that Virginia may become an instant top 3 race for Democrats as they enter the 2008 election season.
Former Governor Jim Gilmore announced last month before Warner retired that he is interested in: running for the seat.
Meanwhile former Governor Mark Warner is still undecided about what his future will hold, however, DKos diarist totallynext reported yesterday that Mark Warner's decision could come as early as this Friday.
I wish I could give this race more of an analysis than this, however, I am very busy today at work. Therefore, I'll leave you with this factoid: Democrats have won three out of the last four Senate or Gubernatorial elections.
2001 Gov: Mark Warner (D) 52.2% Mark Earley (R) 47%
2002 Sen: John Warner (R) 82.6% Nancy B. Spannus (I) 9.8%
2005 Gov: Tim Kaine (D) 51.7% Jerry Kilgore (R) 45.9%
2006 Sen: Jim Webb (D) 49.9% George Allen (R) 49.6%