Washington, DC — Virginia GOP Senator George Allen has been enjoying lots of good buzz within DC GOP circles when it comes to speculation about 2008, and National Journal’s political insiders now rate Hillary Rodham Clinton and Allen as the two likeliest to be their respective party’s ’08 nominees.
The survey gave each potential White House contender five points for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on. The New York Democrat ran away with her party’s vote, collecting 407 points and 68 first places. The Virginia Republican’s tally was smaller, with 229 points. His 19 first places tied with Arizona Sen. John McCain, whose points totaled 217.
It’s early, of course, but Allen has also been attracting lots of top talent his way, including the hottest GOP campaign manager in the nation, Dick Wadhams. Allen also received rave reviews from his recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) appearance in DC several months ago — even drawing strong praise from New York Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long. Long told DCspectator after the event that Allen could go all the way based on his conservative ideology — and he especially praised his temperament and laid back coolness reminiscent of Ronald Reagan.
The good buzz is the upside for him; the downside is that, like Icarus — and Bill Frist as of late — the heat can limit your flight plan. Regardless — Allen moves into a nice early position out of the gate and is a serious, contender, still with plenty of up upside.