Tom Perriello has returned from his trip to the Middle East & has finally gotten a chance to speak publicly about the 2012 U.S. Senate race:
Former Rep. Tom Perriello (D) said Wednesday that he would “consider” running to succeed retiring Virginia Sen. James Webb (D) in 2012, but only if Tim Kaine decides not to make the race. […]
“It’s obviously nice when people say that,” Perriello said. “I think it’s meant to be a compliment. At the same time I join many others in hoping Tim Kaine will step up in this spot. … He’d be a great choice.”
What else do you expect Tom to say when President Obama & Virginia’s top elected officials are all focused on the guy who has repeatedly said he doesn’t want the job? Look, Tim Kaine would be a strong candidate who’d mop the floor with Big Oil Allen. But when we have a candidate like Tom Perriello – strong progressive values, hard working & accessible, consistently beat expectations in a conservative district – why are Democratic Party leaders in such a rush to coronate the guy who apparently needs to be talked into it?
Now if Kaine gets in & the nomination is declared all but decided, rank & file Democrats may wonder why they had no say in the process. And if Kaine says no, the media framing will be “Hopes of Democrats Crushed” & no matter who the nominee is, even if they’re ahead of Allen in the polls, he or she will have to deal with that added hurdle.
Tom should run. Then whoever else wants to run can run, we’ll have a primary & we’ll all get to vote, and we’ll all get behind whoever wins. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work?
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