Nunn won't run for Senate

[mndemocrat_29]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031024/ap_on_el_gu/georgia_senate_1

MAX CLELAND, PLEASE RUN!

[jobycom]

1. Geeze, if she's like her dad, I'd rather Zell Miller

Thank Sam Nunn for "don't ask don't tell," not to mention a lot of the problems Clinton had in his early first term. He made Gingrich's job a lot easier. I can defend Lieberman and even Miller on some occasions, but Nunn really got my dander up (and I'm not even sure what dander is).

[NewJerseyDem]

2. Nunn was better than Miller

Zell Miller has voted with the republicans about 100% of the time over the past year. He has a bill that would completely eliminate filibusters and he has been actively critisizing Democrats on the filibuters. So, he has helped the republicans a lot. Today, I heard Bill Frist say that his bill to get rid of judicial filibusters was "bipartisan" because it was the "Frist-Miller" bill. Nunn was a conservative democrat but he at least sometimes sided with the democrats.

Anyway, I believe that Michelle Nunn is somewhat more liberal but I'm not sure.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. GA is a conservative state

They aren't going to elect a liberal Democrat to the Senate. It is either going to be a conservative Democrat or a Republican. I would prefer someone who sides with us some of the time over someone who never sides with us.

[jobycom]

5. Yes, that's usually my argument

But I lose it when it comes to Nunn.

[Frodo]

3. Well, that was just about our last shot at that seat.

No chance for a pickup there I guess.

[David__77]

6. Maybe Cleland CAN win... or what about Sanford Bishop?

I don't know if he'd want to... but I do see it as an opportunity to return. 2004 will be a lot different than last year. He wouldn't be the first to lose and then run for the other seat. It's something to consider.

Here's another option: Sanford Bishop. Couldn't he win?

[Frodo]

7. Has anyone "lost" and run for the other seat and won?

Two years later?

[David__77]

8. Slade Gorton.

Washington Republican. That's one case. I think he lost in 1986 and returned in 1988. I seem to think of a MN case as well, maybe Boschwitz, but I can't remember.

[mndemocrat_29]

9. Boschwitz ran in 1996

And lost.

Gorton's the only one to pull it off. However, in recent memory, not that many have tried. Aside from Boschwitz, none have tried in the last ten years.

[Frodo]

10. And he would have to want to.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I bet the man is tired of the way politics has changed. he may be happier where he is. And, absent compelling evidence that we will actually win the Senate back (and right now won't), he has little reason to put himself through it all again.

And to lose could be devestating.

[mndemocrat_29]

11. I think that Cleland is holding out until 2008

To take on Sen. Chambliss.

However, I think that Cleland would do much better in 2004. Isaakson, Cain, and Collins are going to have a tough primary, and if a serious Democratic challenger came up, they'd probably win.

In 2008, Cleland won't have a clear shot at the primary. Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, Sec. of State Cathy Cox, or Atty. Gen. Thurbert Baker will all be considering the race, as will Reps. Marshall and Majette.

[Frodo]

16. I doubt he would be a viable candidate at that point.

As you point out, there will be some other candidates hitting that point in their career. Also, GA is trending against us, we'll have more chance of winning a TX senate seat than GA by 2008 the way things are going.

[9119495]

19. I think Cleland sees himself as a possible VP

He has endorsed Kerry and would provide some Southern/military support for "MA liberal" Kerry.

[Frodo]

20. I guess that's a possibility, but he's fooling himself.

Edwards or Graham would make more politically viable running mates if they need the south.

Clark makes more sense from a military standpoint.

The VP is likely to come from a consolidation of the existing candidate pool.

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. John Ensign lost in 1998 and was elected in 2000

[mndemocrat_29]

14. But Ensign wasn't a senator before

Here are just a handful of people who lost elections statewide, then went on to win later on:

Jim Talent
Gordon Smith
Norm Coleman
Susan Collins
Barbara Mikulski
Mark Dayton
Ben Nelson
Mike DeWine
George Voinovich
Jeb Bush
Linda Lingle
Mitt Romney
Mark Warner

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. Sorry, I misunderstood

You can add Arlen Specter and Ed Rendell to that list.

[election_2004]

12. What about Jim Marshall?

Isn't he considering a run for Miller's seat?

[mndemocrat_29]

15. It would be great if he ran

But then his House seat would be in serious jeopardy.

[NewJerseyDem]

17. Well, I hate Marshall

He is certainly better than a republican, but he has been militanly pro-war. He came out blaming the media for the deaths of US soldiers and crashed a press conference held by anti-war congressmen. I wish we could find someone else. I think that Mike Thurmond might be the best candidate and he hasn't ruled it out yet.