[fieldmarshaldj]

"Agreed, but the White House doesn't like him either, so I would expect them to clear the field for Kingston and avoid a primary."

I've not heard that regarding Isakson. The WH looks solely at electability, and I got the impression they were leaning towards Isakson. I doubt he will "clear out" if Kingston gets in. The WH tried that heavy-handed approach to get Ed Bryant out of the Senate race here in TN, and it almost blew up in their face.

"Kingston has publicly said he's strongly thinking about running."

Well, he needs to stop thinking and start doing. Time's a wasting with regards to fundraising.

"As for novices, I like to see an experienced politician run when at all possible, and would only run a novice as a last resort."

We had supposedly "experienced" pols running as Republicans for the Senate and Governorship here in TN for years and met with largely poor results. Both Frist and Fred Thompson (forgot about Fred) were novices. The 'Rats have done well with novices as well.

[Pubbie]

"I've not heard that regarding Isakson. The WH looks solely at electability, and I got the impression they were leaning towards Isakson."

The White House was apparently asking Ralph Reed if he wanted to go in, and they treated Isakson very cool reception.

The fact that they were courting Reed, at the same time Isakson publicly anounced he was running, means the White House isn't really satisfied with Isakson, even though they never say so publicly.