Posted on 11/25/2007 10:42:07 AM PST by Clintonfatigued
Republicans hope Delegate Chris B. Saxman will officially enter the Virginia Senate race to become the much-needed new face for the party and attract the independent-minded voters who have backed Democrats in recent elections.
"There are energetic conservatives out there, and they just need to be given the opportunity," said James E. Rich, chairman of the 10th Congressional District Republican Committee. "It is time for them to takeover."
Mr. Saxman, Staunton Republican who has been a state delegates since 2002, said he started "seriously considering" a bid this week, after several Republican colleagues encouraged him to run for retiring Sen. John W. Warner's seat.
Mr. Saxman recently joined Mr. Warner, a Republican, as Virginia co-chairman of Arizona Sen. John McCain's bid for president.
The interest in Mr. Saxman, who has bolstered his conservative credentials as chairman of the General Assembly cost-cutting caucus, underscores some of the doubt Republican have about former Gov. James S. Gilmore III ability to defeat Mark Warner, a Democrat and another former governor, in the 2008 election.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I think it’s worth a try. Fairly or unfairly, Jim Gilmore is seen by Virginians as a failed Governor and Mark Warner as the man who cleaned up Gilmore’s mess. It might not be accurate, but it’s the perception.
Mark Warner will be very tough to beat. He was a very popular governor. It will take someone with some star power and big name recognition to give Warner a good run.
Our only hope is for Alan Keyes to pack-up his moving van and relocate to Virginia. /s
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