GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
Revised post: I did a little blogosphere sleuthing and noticed that a few other blogs had also?become aware of the chatter on the political wire regarding a new poll showing Allen and Webb tied, and that each of those blogs was?quickly retracting?its post on the subject after getting nasty emails from the polling outfit in question.? As I am not a fan of reporting falsities, and even less of a fan of nasty emails, I am pulling the rumor, which I still believe to be true.? Do know this: I am confident that a highly credible polling outfit will release a poll within days or perhaps hours showing Allen in a very bad position in his effort to win reelection to the Senate.
Update: Confirmed.? I am vindicated.? The pollster is Mason-Dixon, as I originally reported, which is the most accurate national pollster that I know of, and is almost eerily accurate in the south.? Allen and Webb are tied among Virginia voters with 43 percent each.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Gosh, I think it’s time we put our aversion to Presidential Nominee Allen aside and focus on getting Senator Allen re-elected. Regardless of Allen’s presidential prospects, Republicans need that seat and, importantly, need Sen. Allen in it–he is a good leader and a good congressperson who deserves to be re-elected. We’ve got to get behind him now.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
I concur with that view… With the understanding that on the wednesday after the election, I be allowed to object very strongly if anyone proposes Allen re examine his presdiential bid and run in 2008.
The Frist campaign, is in danger of falling on its sword if the GOP were to lose the U S Senate and it was the Sebate seat in Tenn.. that gives the Democracts the majority..
Every credible pollling service seems to be projecting a Democrat gain of four U S senate seats.
That makes the Tenn, Va and Missouri seats crucial..
I understand that Sen Dole could not run the Senate and campaign in the primaries,, Likewise frist could not as well..but the logic of not running for re election and then stepping down as Leader makes no sense to me.
The Republican party and control of the U S Senate was at stake when Frist made that decision.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
With respect to what Oklahoma Pol is saying, I think there was a risk for Senator Frist either way. I guess the other option was to run for re-election in 2006 and step down when running for president. But if Tennessee elects a Democrat for governor in 2006 then he would be handing the seat to the Democrats - and Democrat Governor Bredesen is strongly favored for re-election this November. So he probably calculated that the best way to hold onto the seat, given that he was going to give it up to run for president, was to open it up in 2006.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
I would note that a Survey USA poll of “likely voters” released today gives Allen a 50% to 44% lead over Webb.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
I wasnt clear… I did not mean resign from the Senate… but not be Sanate Majority leader…. I dont iunderstand that decision…
September 29th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
So, Oklahoma Pol, you are suggesting that Senator Frist should have stepped down as Majority Leader once he was set to run for president and retire from the Senate?
If so, my guess is that he figured he had a lot more to gain in terms of fundraising and notoriety by remaining in the Majority Leader position.
The question is did his call work? This Senate has been in session less than any other in modern times. And conservatives are unhappy with the number of federal judicial openings remaining to be filled.
September 30th, 2006 at 2:46 am
No I think that Frist should of run for reelection… stayed in the senate and then ran for president.. Bob Dole tried to be both majority leader and run for president.. It is very risky..
September 30th, 2006 at 2:48 am
He should do like Dole did ,,resign as majority leader
September 30th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Oklahoma Pol, be reminded that Bob Dole resigned from the U.S. Senate altogether in order to run for President.
John Kerry remained in the U.S. Senate when running for President but was excoriated, by Governor Mitt Romney among others, for missing so many floor votes and failing to represent his constituents during his quest for higher office.
September 30th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Yes true..
I always thought that a senator should stay in office… resign from leadership if they must.. The people of that state voted for them to represent them for six years..
That is what I wish Frist would of done.. I dont think that would of affected his presidential chances.
If the Republicans lose the Senate and his home state goes democrat as well.. Then it could urt.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:50 am
I remember Webb given the opportunity to lead in government, then resigning. Rather than navigating
through the storm he quit his post. Do Virginian’s deserve to bring in a Jr senator on and have him resign or
get mad and go pout in the corner while the rest of the Senate is conducting business.
Allen is a proven polititian and is moving towards leadership in the Senate. Build on success not on retreat as
others might.