Posted on 01/20/2005 2:22:46 PM PST by 1LongTimeLurker
THE VIRGINIAN Very quietly, some Republicans with eyes on standing in four years where President George W. Bush stands today are already beginning to lay the groundwork for 2008.
Some are being more aggressive than others. Some are showing the good sense simply to sit back and enjoy the inaugural events before kicking into high gear. One of the eager beavers -- and an early favorite -- is Sen. George Allen.
Allen has the advantage of running for Senate re-election in 2006, so a campaign team may already be in place. One critical addition was the announcement that GOP strategist, Dick Wadhams, he of the thrilling Sen. John Thune election, is now serving as Allen's Senate chief of staff.
Allen's now former chief of staff, Jay Timmons, who served with Allen during his time as Virginia governor, quietly this week joined the lobbying shop of Tew Cardenas. One of its two name partners, Al Cardenas, was a key adviser to Sen. Mel Martinez, and served as the Republican chairman in Florida.
Timmons also served as Allen's executive director during the Senator's recent tenure as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (which is now headed by Sen. Elizabeth Dole). Timmons was viewed as critical to helping the GOP pick up net four seats on November 2. Now Timmons is free to begin calling in any and all chips that his old boss may have gained in helping Republicans increase their power base around the country.s
"Timmons in the private sector is free to do the kind of work he wouldn't be able to do in the Senate," says a Senate staffer. "The expectation is that Timmons will be out there helping to set up grassroots and fundraising. Allen is lucky to be in a position to do this."
Allen will be our next president, I'll bet a dollar on it!
you mean it won't be john mccain ? < /sarcasm>
Allen's a good guy.
I have my money on Mark Sanford, however.
Sanford/Allen, perhaps??
From what I've heard, McCain's health is worse than Cheney's. He may not be the frontrunner as we all expect.
Sorry, Governor Mark Sanford will be our next Pres. Senators always have problems getting elected president. Too much baggage.
Richmond ping for George Allen
Allen was a governor. But in VA, it's up or out after one term. So he was forced into the Senate. He's my choice in '08. Electable, right of center, proven vote getter, and likeable. No one else fits all those criteria (Frist is about as warm as permafrost.).
i hope thats not the case. but i wouldn't vote for mccain .
Allen is a former governor and does not carry the baggage that many senators carry. George Allen will undoubtedly by our next Pres.
Allen is a former governor right?
Love to see him win as we share the same surname.
Sanford Bump!!!
Ping!
This is a George Allen thread, but thought we could get some interesting input from Sanford supporters.
Who do you think would be Sanford's perfect running mate??
He has two votes in my household.
There is an ancient curse upon sitting senators. He better quit the Senate and become a governor somewhere..
My "dream team" for the next administration:
President - Mark Sanford
Vice President - Tim Pawlenty
Secretary of Defense - Tommy Franks
Secretary of State - Jeb Bush
Secretary of Homeland Security - Tom Tancredo
National Security Advisor - James Inhofe
Secretary of the Treasury - Steve Forbes
Secretary of Education - none/Department defunct
I can dream, can't I?
Well...he was already governor of Virginia.
Forgot - Attorney General - Ann Coulter...hehe...
1845. John Tyler, of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" fame.
Woodrow Wilson was a Virginian, but later lived in New Jersey and was its Governor.
So I think Allen could be the first Virginian President since before the Civil War.
Allen was the governor of Virginia before he was a Senator. He has proven executive experience and is not a creature of the Senate.
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