Virginia senate race 2008

[Hammy]

i just thought it interesting to point out that Mark Warner may run for Senate in 2008, and if he does it would be Warner vs Warner

[Stranger in a strange land]

John would beat Mark no matter what, but the seat is Mark's if John retires.

[Adlai Stevenson]

John would beat Mark no matter what, but the seat is Mark's if John retires.

I wouldn't be so sure.  It would be very close; I think John would probably beat Mark but by less than the 52%-47% he did in 1996. 

[Verily]

Mark did face John in 1996 and lost by only 6. It would be interesting to see this matchup again, though from what I heard Mark seems much more likely to return to the governorship in 09.

1996 was a good Democratic year, but Virginia was much more Republican then. (It went Dole in a big Clinton win.) Mark Warner was also less well-known and hadn't achieved his massive popularity as governor yet. Would he beat John Warner? I'm not sure; I would give him a 50/50 chance.

That said, he'll probably run and win the governorship in 2009 rather than Senate in 2008.

[Virginian87]

Mark wouldn't run against John Warner.  Why run against someone who is doing a good job?  Most people, Republican and Democrat (including this one), strongly support Sen. Warner.  Warner, unlike Allen, has a brain, and has been a wonderful asset in the Senate for Virginia.

Mark Warner will only run if its an open seat.  I still think he's gearing up for another gubernatorial run in 2009, though.