VA Sen: Report says Davis (R) likely to drop out

[Sam Spade]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1007/Tom_Davis_opts_against_running_for_the_Senate.html

Once again, no real surprise here.  The announcement may take a little while, however, as he may only announce after his wife's election (and likely loss) a couple of weeks from now.

The big question, of course, is will he run for re-election and take away a prime Democratic opportunity seat.

[Sam Spade]

This seat in Virginia will be the easiet DEm pickup of them all

People seem to have the silly idea that he represents a seat that would be a Democratic stronghold without him as the Republican candidate. The seat would be extremely competitive if Davis were to retire in the current political climate o/c, but these two things are quite different.

Al, please stop it with the rationality around here. 

It would definitely be the strongest Dem chance in Virginia last time I checked if he retired, because none of the other GOP Reps seem to be interested in retiring and Thelma Drake in VA-02 doesn't even have a challenger yet.

[Sam Spade]

Anyway, here's the full announcement "drop out" story.  He has stayed mum, at least in this article from talking about re-election or not.  I suspect he's waiting until his wife's state Senate race is over.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1026/p25s01-usmb.html

The guy is simply an brilliant political strategist, if nothing else.

[Sam Spade]

Anyway, here's the full announcement "drop out" story.  He has stayed mum, at least in this article from talking about re-election or not.  I suspect he's waiting until his wife's state Senate race is over.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1026/p25s01-usmb.html

The guy is simply an brilliant political strategist, if nothing else.

Look at the NRCC's 2002 track record in open seats.  Davis masterminded the GOP's narrow wins in FL-08, MO-06,  MI-08, and IL-10. He also spotted the vulnerability of Democratic incumbents in CT-02 and MN-06.  His attention to detail and his penchant for modesty, the former  of which is shared by Karl Rove, the latter of which is not, are unparalleled among GOP strategists. If I were a Republican incumbent with a tough reelection challenge, I'd put Tom "Every election cycle is like 1992" on hold, and call Rep. Davis for advice.

I really didn't feel like pointing it out earlier, but all those gains were made in 2000, not 2002.

Which actually makes it more impressive, when you think about it...