Waiting for the Chips to Fall

Two afternoon bits:

Political Wire offers an early analysis of next year's "Veepstakes" in both parties. Two Democrats listed as possible VP candidates are also two southern Governors who would make terrific 2008 Senate candidates: North Carolina's Mike Easley and Tennessee's Phil Bredesen.

Easley's term is up in 2008, and he is term limited from seeking another term. Further, a new poll has him beating incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole in a head-to-head match-up. Meanwhile, Bredesen's term isn't up until 2010, but he is similarly term limited from seeking re-election to the Governor's office. He enjoys significant popularity, as indicated by his 69-30 mammoth re-election victory this past November.

Neither has expressed any explicit interest in a 2008 Senate run. But, could they just be biding their time, awaiting the Veepstakes game? Is it possible that they, particularly Easley, could choose to run for Senate if it looks like they may not be on a VP short list? I hope so. Running mates don't have to be decided on until the lead-up to the Party's convention, though, so it could be a while until we have a clearer sense of who might be on a short list. Still, the optimists among us will continue to hope that these giants of their political universes will ultimately opt for a Senate bid.

Minnesota: The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza analyzes Al Franken's strengths and weaknesses against Norm Coleman. While the srengths and weaknesses as listed are not inaccurate, the strengths (name ID, fundraising ability, and time spent laying the groundwork) far outweigh the perceived weaknesses (controversial writing and liberal ideology), especially considering Minnesota has a track record of electing the controversial (Jesse Ventura) and the liberal (Paul Wellstone). What Minnesotans don't seem to like are politicians without convictions. And Norm Coleman's milquetoast meandering on issues certainly brings his convictions into question.