Draft George Allen for a 2012 rematch against Jim Webb?
Lapel stickers at last weekend’s 2010 Republican Advance suggested more than just a few are ready to see that contest. “Draft George Allen” stickers were seen in increasing numbers among the hundreds of attendees as the weekend went on, and bumper stickers with the same message were prominent on a number of vehicles in the hotel’s parking lot.
The buzz from Republicans as well as Democrats and media-types is that Allen is looking to take on Democrat Jim Webb for the U.S. Senate seat he unexpectedly lost in 2006, and a recent poll held good news for Allen. First, however, he has to get on the playing field. Other names bantered about as possible candidates have been Del. Bob Marshall and Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Steward.
Friday night’s tradition of hospitality suites offered eleven locations including one hosted by George Allen who took over the entire restaurant at the Hilton, offering a variety of foods and scrumptious desserts for guests who were networking throughout the crowd. The place was packed from the time it opened until the time it closed hours later. George Allen stood and talked with everyone, never sitting down or stopping as he smiled and bantered good-naturedly with folks, posing for photos and calling people by name. It was classic George Allen. Nearby his wife Susan also greeted the numerous visitors who formed a never-ending line waiting to talk with Virginia’s former first couple.
I read fellow Washington Examiner blogger Norm Leahy’s words for Allen to be careful what he wished for since many have speculated not only about his candidacy but also that he wanted a primary even though Allen himself had not weighed in publicly about it. Norm’s reasons can be taken into consideration but to see so many people in the Allen hospitality room was to see a dedicated group of “A Team” players ready to get back on the field and block for their guy. Checking lapels, it was easy to spot numerous bronze Virginia seal pins that have Allen’s signature engraved on the back.
Those who have been with Allen since he began his rise in Virginia politics 25 years ago are extremely loyal. One former staffer confirmed that Allen was the only candidate he would bleed for. A gentleman at Saturday’s breakfast said he was part of the original “A Team,” and that George Allen was the reason he had attended the Advance. The bond and loyalty of Allen’s supporters is still intact and they are ready to go if Allen throws his hat in the ring.
The decision of whether to hold a primary or convention for the 2012 GOP senate nominee was made during the weekend when the Republican Party of Virginia’s State Central Committee voted 48-26 to hold a primary. If the rumors of Allen’s candidacy are true, that means the “A Team,” spread throughout the Commonwealth, will hit the ground running. Draft George Allen? It may become a reality.
