John Warner Will Retire at the End of This Term

Virginia: John Warner just announced that he will retire at the end of his current term, rather than seek re-election in 2008. Expectations are the following: for the Democrats, popular former Governor Mark Warner, who left office with an approval rating exceeding 80%, will enter the Senate race; for the Republicans, we may see a bloody primary battle between Rep. Tom Davis and former Gov. Jim Gilmore. Should expectations play out as such, Virginia should be considered to lean toward a Democratic pick-up. Let the polling (and hoping the Mark Warner does enter the race) begin!