MD-Senate - Sources: Mikulski expected to retire

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O'Malley would be pretty dumb to pass this up. Everyone knows that he isn't going to beat Hillary. He's still relatively young and a Senate seat would keep him relevant while still leaving open the possibility of running for President in 2020/2024.

He'd be running for VP. The question is if he thinks the chance of getting selected as VP is a better gamble than a safe Senate seat.

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I really do hope Van Hollen doesn't run. I want him to be Speaker or Majority Leader. Not a junior Senator.

Same. Edwards, Sarbanes, or Mizeur would all be good.

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At this rate this could end up being the Democratic clowncar everyone was thinking California would be.

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The PCCC (the Bold Progressives) are trying to draft Edwards.

Considering that she actually seems interested in running, this is a much better use of time and resources than tilting at windmills with the futile draft Warren effort.

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Looks like Van Hollen is using the Harris strategy, announce before everyone knows what hits them and lock up donors/endorsements early. Will it pay off for him as well? Jeb also used a modified strategy like this back in December, and it seemed to work until Romney blunted his momentum.

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Harry Reid just endorsed Van Hollen. This could get boring pretty quickly.

Good, hopefully Van Hollen gets in without a messy primary!

we have primaries for a reason, the people of Maryland should get to chose their representatives not some  man from Nevada.

Sure, but I'd rather they be herded into choosing the person I want to win

But I thought primaries were good! Nobody should get a coronation.

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Great news!

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Here's an article from The Hill on how Pelosi tried to discourage Van Hollen from running. I do agree that if he were to win, it'd be a shame to lose his talent in the House. I could definitely see him as a potential Speaker some day...

...hopefully he'll be available to take advantage of that opportunity when it comes around.

Pelosi most likely wants him as her successor. At the moment she's just waiting out Hoyer. It's kind of mystifying that he's choosing to give that up. Even if you're one of those silly people that think Democrats won't regain the House a single time in 20+ years, even minority leader is arguably a more important/powerful position than a Senator.

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Pelosi most likely wants him as her successor. At the moment she's just waiting out Hoyer. It's kind of mystifying that he's choosing to give that up. Even if you're one of those silly people that think Democrats won't regain the House a single time in 20+ years, even minority leader is arguably a more important/powerful position than a Senator.

Good points. Maybe Van Hollen thinks (assuming he wins) he could climb up Senate leadership?

Yeah, either that or presidential ambitions would be a good explanation.