I certainly respect Barone's experience and opinions, but I disagree on his take on Warner's withdrawal from the Prez race, based upon what we know.

It had little to do with electability. It's far too early to ascertain that, and Warner had put together the best team and strategy so far, noting that Clinton could activate the old team at any time but hasn't yet. He also had co-opted the Kos Komsomol by hiring Jerome Armstrong as a "consultant."

The fact is he didn't have the enthusiastic support of his family. His wife and eldest daughter were reportedly willing to back him if he wanted to run. Warner understands that subjecting a college-age kid to that level of scrutiny should require her unqualified support.

Plus, running for President is a dirty business. It's many nights in hotels, many days spent shaking hands with strangers and trying to appease people you probably wouldn't want in your home. It's begging for money and sucking up to donors. It's having your past examined with a microscope, and anything being fair game. Many candidates have left the race with their reputations diminished, if not ruined.

OTOH, Warner would be the instant favorite for either John "No Relation" Warner's Senate seat, or another term as Governor (Virginia is a one-term-at-a-time state; if memory serves, only Patrick Henry and Mills Godwin won the office twice). Those campaigns would be on familiar state territory, be easily financed, have less viciousness, and he would be able to sleep in his own bed most nights.

I don't blame the guy at all. He could bide his time . . . who knows? Maybe the Democrats will lose enough to expel the radical moonbat left, and become a viable national party again.

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But remember, "running to the right" in the Democratic primaries only makes you a center-left candidate, not a conservative. Bill Richardson is the remaining choice on Hilarity!'s right, Evan Bayh having spent the last few years sidling left too far to qualify anymore.

Richardson is qualified, but uncharismatic and with several Clintonian skeletons in his closet.

Personally, I will vote in the Democratic primary for Feingold, figuring our side will choose well without me. I want the leftmost possible candidate for the Democrats in 2008.

For Republicans, it is just a matter of making sure the party doesn't fracture over social issues.
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I hope this is not stating that social conservatives (who otherwise are not exactly thrilled by the GOP) need to shut-up and get in line - or that is a ticket for defeat.

I would rather have seen this read "For Republicans, they just need to make sure they do not alienate their social conservative base by nominating an abortion supporting, social liberal.