Allen Fears a Challenge from Mark Warner in Fundraising Letter

[Moooooo]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Revving up his fund-raising machine for next year, U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., is warning supporters he may be opposed for a second term by the state's wealthy governor - a popular Democrat with a history of personally bankrolling his campaigns.

In a mail solicitation, Allen mentions Gov. Mark R. Warner four times as a possible challenger for the seat Allen wrested in 2000 from Democratic incumbent Charles S. Robb.

The three-page letter is aimed at core supporters and invokes many of the issues and personalities that stir Republican voters, including tax cuts, anti-terrorism, actor-and-liberal activist Jane Fonda, national Democratic Chairman Howard Dean and the "Clinton political machine."

"Mark Warner would be a very formidable opponent, and we have to start preparing now in case the national Democrats are indeed successful in drafting him to run against me," writes Allen, referring to the nearly $15 million that Warner diverted from his high-tech fortune to two statewide campaigns.

"The bottom line: My 2006 re-election effort could be the most costly campaign in Virginia's history. My first election to the U.S. Senate cost nearly $10 million. To beat Mark Warner or another self-financing multi-millionaire, I will have to raise twice that, perhaps $20 million."
...
 Running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1996 against Republican incumbent John W. Warner, Mark Warner spent $11.5 million, $10.5 million of it his own. In 2001, Mark Warner was elected governor, contributing $4.7 million toward the $20 million campaign.
 ...
 Though Warner, with an approval rating in published and private polls exceeding 60 percent, is widely viewed as the Democratic Party's strongest potential challenger to Allen, Warner has done nothing to signal to the rank and file that he will run for the Senate in 2006.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/

[Moooooo]

Dont worry, George.  Governor Warner has his eye set on a bigger prize.

[Keystone Phil]

Dont worry, George.  Governor Warner has his eye set on a bigger prize.

It might be the biggest waste of time in his political career but I don't mind. Let's keep Allen safe in 2006.

[Moooooo]

It might be the biggest waste of time in his political career but I don't mind.

Why? 

[Keystone Phil]

It might be the biggest waste of time in his political career but I don't mind.

Why? 

A Presidential run? He'd do well in the south but he won't last long.

[Moooooo]

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Are you talking about the Primary? 

[Keystone Phil]

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Yes

[Moooooo]

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Yes

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  People were saying the same thing about Clinton back in 1992.

[Keystone Phil]

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Yes

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  People were saying the same thing about Clinton back in 1992.

No one wanted the nomination back then. That's the difference.

[AuH2O]

I don't think Allen "fears" a challenge, I think he is just being a smart politician. You have to be prepared for the most potent challenge in case it does materialize, though I don't think it will.

[Moooooo]

I don't think Allen "fears" a challenge, I think he is just being a smart politician. You have to be prepared for the most potent challenge in case it does materialize, though I don't think it will.

Do you think Warner will run for President in 2008 or wait to challenge Warner again in 2008?

[Jake]

Warner's up in 2008 also.  He has to choose.

[Jake]

Yep John Warner, hopefully we're talking about the same Warner, was re-elected in 2002 and will be up in 2008.

[AuH2O]

Mark Warner has always been an executive... the Senate is probably of less interest to him than the Presidency, of course, if he decides he has no shot he could go after Allen or Warner, but either way he's an underdog.

[Moooooo]

Yep John Warner, hopefully we're talking about the same Warner, was re-elected in 2002 and will be up in 2008.

Your right. 

Maybe Gov. Warner is hoping Sen. Warner will retire in 2008.  I read somewhere that Sen. Warner will be 81 by election day 2008.

[Keystone Phil]

Warner's up in 2008 also.  He has to choose.

Did you know he ran against Warner in 1996? Warner vs. Warner. That must have been a fun race.

[Jake]

Hah, suprised the Democrats didn't claim voter disenfranchisement and ask John Warner to change his name

[Notre Dame rules!]

If Mark Warner doesn't run for John Warner's seat, what are the chances that Ollie North will win it?  It seems like he came fairly close back in '94 or '96, unless I'm mistaken.

[AuH2O]

I'm not sure North has any intention of running, nor does the VA GOP particularly want to run him for Senate based on my understanding.

They wanted him to run for a House seat but he was uninterested.

[MHS2002]

John Warner will run again in 2008.

[Sam Spade]

John Warner will run again in 2008.

Considering your interning there, I'll consider that as being fairly good inside info.

[MHS2002]

John Warner will run again in 2008.

Considering your interning there, I'll consider that as being fairly good inside info.

The reason I say that is Warner is still mentally sharp, enjoys the work, and seems to have a lot of energy left. Also in talking to staffers they all feel Warner will be back to run again in '08. I'll take their word for it.

That said, if Warner decides not to run, a number of Republicans in Virginia's Congressional delegation would make a run at the seat.