Tuesday, January 23, 2007

More On Mark Warner

Last Thursday we reported that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner had hosted an impromptu luncheon of key Democratic leaders in Charleston, SC (an early primary state) and wondered whether Warner is reconsidering his decision not to run for President in '08.

We've since learned that Warner hosted a similar luncheon in the state capital, Columbia, the next day, which included the chairman of the state Democratic party. Participants in that luncheon got a stronger feeling than those in Charleston that Warner is seriously reconsidering his decision. Key Democrats in the state also believe Warner can wait a bit before making a decision--everyone else is jumping in now because they need to raise money, but Warner still has money in his Forward Together pac, as well as his personal fortune.

Our guess: Warner will continue testing the waters over the next few weeks. Absent some major change in the polls, which show Hillary leading, but not by much, we think Warner may jump back in (although he is also looking at the other Warner from Virginia--John--to see if he will run for re-election to the Senate in '08; if John Warner retires, we think Mark will go the easier route and try to succeed him).

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