Ok, I know Virignia and New Jersey have very important governor's races in about a week, but I thought I would focus on some news concerning the Senate races there next year.
First, in Virginia, James Webb, a decorated Vietnam Vet, Naval Academy Grad, and Reagan's Navy Secretary, hints that he is considering running against George Allen in an interview in the
San Diego Tribune.
Are you interested in running for political office?
I have been talking to people about running for the Senate next year against George Allen, as a Democrat from Virginia. I have a very good life. I'm not sure that I'm going to do that or not but I have been talking to people. Thinking about it.
Dont know all his political views, heard he is conservative, but he is against the Iraq war, and always has been:
What is your take on the wisdom of our strategy in Iraq and the competence of its execution?
I was an early voice saying we shouldn't go in, that it was not connected to the war against international terrorism, that it was not among the highest national security concerns that we should be considering. My warning before we went in was basically that it was a strategic mousetrap on three different levels. One is that it would involve the nation's focus and attention and resources beyond military resources to the detriment of other interests. Second was that if you're going to decapitate a government, you would be draining your force structure. And thirdly, in the sense that we have focused so strongly on the Sunnis while the Shiites have been in a win-win since day one, and as a result we're empowering Iran.
Has that view changed any now?
No.
Next up: New Jersey. Corzine is looking good in the polls again and if he wins as expected, he will have to appoint a successor. Many NJ Dems are leaning toward current Gov. Richard Codey.
Chuck Schumer has gotten involved:
Codey even acknowledges nationally prominent Democrats are trying to convince him that D.C. would suit him.
At a recent event, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who heads the Democratic campaign to grab a Senate majority, pulled Codey aside to whisper in his ear, "The most popular one always becomes the candidate," Codey says.
Here's the deal, according to the Star-Ledger:
The deal is simple: Democratic leaders want Codey to take the interim appointment and then run for a full term in 2006. If he's not interested in running next year, they're not interested in him.
I've only heard good things about Codey and polls show he would beat Tom Kean Jr, the likely GOP nominee.
Thoughts??