[fieldmarshaldj]

"And why is Condi your #1 choice for VP? By all accounts she is pro-choice on abortion and in favor of affirmative action."

Actually, I meant she's my top pick for the Presidential nomination (at this point). It's my thinking that Dubya is grooming her to succeed him in the job. I'm hoping she will certainly "modify" her positions on some of these issues, but if she does not, we can always look elsewhere. Ah, I'm probably getting swept up in Condimania right now... ;-)

"I assume you are predicting that Bingaman will retire. If Bingaman does retire, a Wilson-Udall Senate race would be a real barnburner, and a Sanchez-Romero House race would also be close. But if Bingaman runs for another term, as I assume that he will, I think that everyone else will stay put."

I've just heard the whisperings that he may head on out. It's got to be frustrating to those 'Rats with years of seniority sitting in the minority for yet another term with no end in sight. I think we may see a major exodus of members in the next 4 years.

"And who will take on Fat Bill in the gubernatorial race?"

Good question, I really don't know. Perhaps a state legislator, maybe fmr. Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley (who came in 2nd to Sanchez) ?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"It's got to be frustrating to those 'Rats with years of seniority sitting in the minority for yet another term with no end in sight. I think we may see a major exodus of members in the next 4 years."

---

I agree with you on both counts, but I think Sarbanes, Kohl, Byrd or Akaka are more likely to retire. Bingaman is still young enough that he might have hopes of serving in the majority again some day.

As for Condi running for President, I don't trust 11th-hour conversions. I'm not denying that genuine conversions can occur---Pat Toomey becoming 100% pro-life after his first child was born comes to mind---but if she hasn't become pro-life and anti-affirmative action by now, what she claims right before the GOP primaries must be taken with a grain of salt.

[JohnnyZ]

I've just heard the whisperings that he may head on out.

Bingaman just announced he's running again. The NRSC talked up Wilson to run ..... but no word from Wilson.

[Kuksool]

Blago is portrayed as a flake. Plus, the news is now highlighting the corruption of Chicago City workers. Guess there are no Republcians to kick around anymore. I am more concerned about the IL-08. We need to get that seat back. To elect a feminazi in a GOP-leaning district is pathetic. Frankly, I prefer if Birkett waits until Henry Hyde retires. He would make a great keeper of the IL-06.