Isakson rejects run for governor

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle is again the front runner.

Toomey’s Senate bid would be a rerun of his 2004 Republican primary challenge to incumbent Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, to whom he lost narrowly, 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent. In that campaign, Toomey characterized Specter as a free spender but came up short as the incumbent received endorsements from President Bush, then near the height of his popularity, and then-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), a beloved figure among social conservatives. In a recent phone interview, Toomey said: “I have not made a decision, but it is something I intend to give very serous thought to after the election this year.” Toomey is keeping his political options open, as he is also considering a 2010 gubernatorial bid.

The Politico

That 2004 primary was one of the most depressing nights of my life.  To come all that way and lose by such a slim margin.

Unless Specter retires I find it unlikely that Toomey will run for the U.S. Senate again. I’m more inclined to see him run for governor of Pennsylvania, which the state will sorely need after eight years of Ed Rendell. Specter will be 80 years old in 2010 and he did claim in 2004 that this would be his last term, but I never believed that and as long as he is still in good health you can count on Snarlin’ Arlen to make another go for it.

Yes, the Spitzers wore nearly the exact same clothing as the McGreevey’s did during their press conference back in 2004.

Duncan Hunter was interviewed on the Jeff Katz show yesterday as I was coming home from work. There were rumors circulating that he would perhaps drop out of the Presidential race and start concentrating on a gubernatorial run in 2010. He denied that he was leaving the race and said he has no interest in running for governor. I like Duncan Hunter, but he has to realize at this point that he cannot emerge victorious in the Presidential contest. I don’t know if he is holding out for Super Tuesday with the hopes of having a big victory in California, but even that won’t do anything for him.

Hunter should bow out and go after Barbara Boxer in 2010. The woman is a complete bimbo and one of the most useless senators in Washington. I imagine Duncan Hunter has decent name recognition throughout the state and I think he could mount a worthy challenge against Boxer. Boxer received 58% of the vote in 2004, 53% in 1998, and 47% in 1992. She is beatable, even in a left leaning state like California. The Republicans have simply lacked a strong candidate and I think Hunter would be able to pull it off. I hope others close to him are thinking the same.

I wanted to break from all the presidential discussions and talk about Hawaii. Hawaii is a state that really seems to get passed over when talking about U.S. politics. I guess not a whole lot really happens over there in the world of politics to interest everyone, but despite its extreme Democrat tilt among the residents the state does have a Republican governor.

Linda Lingle won her second term in 2006 with the largest margin in state history, 63% to 35%. Shortly after her reelection her approval rating stood at 71%. She has been a popular political figure in the state. The two U.S. Senators in Hawaii are both 83 years old and Daniel Inouye is up for reelection in 2010. He will be 86 by that time and will have served in the Senate for 47 years. I have a strong suspicion that he will retire. He is no Robert Byrd.

The GOP has only ever had one Republican Senator from Hawaii and that was Hiram Fong who served from statehood until 1977. Lingle would be the best shot we have ever had since at getting a Senate pick up in Hawaii and her gubernatorial term ends in 2010, coinciding nicely. I think her odds of victory would be very good.

Lingle is a moderate, no doubt about it and that is not at all surprising being that we are talking about Hawaii, but it would be nice to steal a blue Senate seat away from the Democrats considering they have so many of ours.

Newsmax says it may be so, and God knows that Michigan needs all the help it can get.

Isakson may run for Governor of Georgia in 2010. I don’t think he would have a chance against Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.