George Allen website: 'STAY TUNED'

Check out George Allen's website ... all it says at this point is, "STAY TUNED."  Politico is reporting an announcement may be imminent....

Chris Saxman to announce Senate decision this weekend

Delegate Chris Saxman will announce his decision this weekend at the Republican Advance about whether to run for the U.S. Senate nomination. Former governor Jim Gilmore is the only declared candidate at this time.

If Del. Saxman got into the race he would challenge Governor Gilmore at the Republican Convention scheduled for the end of May 2008.

"I will announce this weekend," said Saxman, 42. "The time is too compressed. We can't leave these things out there until the end of the year. It's time to move on with a decision."

Del. Saxman has a hospitality suite Friday night, and will address the group of activists Saturday afternoon following Governor Gilmore.

It is looking to be an exciting weekend.

Saxman continues to explore Senate bid....

Chris Saxman continues to explore the feasibility of running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by a retiring John Warner. Phoning, talking, and meeting with possible supporters, Del. Saxman is laying the groundwork to perhaps challenge former Governor Jim Gilmore who formally announced yesterday that he will run for the Republican nomination.

If he decides to throw his hat in the ring, Del. Saxman faces a Gilmore organization that has been in place for months. He would also need to raise a substantial amount of money going into the Republican convention to be held in Richmond at the end of May.

While Jim Gilmore would bring extensive experience to the table, he would also face a hostile media that has been more interested in painting him in a negative light instead of highlighting the positives of his career, most notably the successful car tax campaign. He has a military background in intelligence, served as Virginia's lieutenant governor and governor, was Republican National Committee Chairman, and guided the Commonwealth through the 9/11 crisis.

Although less experienced, Del. Saxman, who is a Staunton businessman and has spent the past six years in the state House of Delegates, has a record of accomplishment and generally enjoys a favorable interaction with the press. He has served on the Cost Cutting Caucus, has been a champion for five years of school choice, and was a supporter of the 2006 Marriage Amendment that was overwhelming passed by state voters. His candidacy would present a fresh face that Republicans may be looking for after recent defeats.

Jim Gilmore praised by Times-Dispatch

In August I had the opportunity to sit down with Governor Jim Gilmore as he met with grassroots leaders throughout the state. In a one-on-one talk at Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant in Staunton, we discussed various aspects of his future run for political office, and he listened to my concerns as a volunteer interested in advancing conservative leaders and principles. His name is one of several being touted as contenders to retiring John Warner's U.S. Senate seat.

One of the things that impressed me about Governor Gilmore was his 9/11 experience because national security is my number one issue. In today's Richmond Times-Dispatch , they spotlight his experience and leadership abilities that far outweigh Mark Warner including 9/11.

In an editorial titled "Throw-Weight," the TD rightly points out:

Regarding questions of war and peace, Gilmore boasts unusually strong credentials for a politician who has not held federal office. They certainly outpoint Mark Warner's record, which, to be precise, is non-existent. Gilmore served as chairman of the Advisory Panel to Assess the Capabilities for Domestic Response to Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction -- often known as the Gilmore Commission. The panel was created in 1999 and was one of the few efforts to win post-9/11 praise for its pre-9/11 record. Indeed, Congress itself did not perform particularly well prior to the attacks. With but a handful of exceptions, its members did not lead -- they did not even try to.

Gilmore's 9/11 experience is not all that impressed me. His campaign on "No Car Tax" won many voters although it earned him the scorn of many in the legislature and tax commissioners at the local level. I still appreciate not having to write that huge check and I told him that when we talked. I like his straight-forward leadership, his determination, and his willingness to listen.

Apparently Walter Curt in Harrisonburg also liked what he heard because he stroked a check for $50,000.

Governor Gilmore and I discussed convention versus primary, and I gave my reasons for wanting a convention: party building, Republicans only can vote, Republican pep rally to energize the grassroots. I am tired of dragging around petitions to gather hundreds of signatures and work hard for my Republican candidate only to have Democrats cross over into Republican primaries when they have done none of the work and are there to skew the results. Gilmore said that, though he has done well in primaries in the past, he would be willing to consider having a convention.

I cannot give $50,000 to a candidate ... but if I like what I see I will give time, energy, and something money cannot buy -- loyalty.

Gilmore the choice of conservative leaders?

He's from a blue collar background and understands the everyday man on the street. His dad was a butcher; his mom was a church secretary. He had goals and drive and determination ... made his way through UVA Law School, became Attorney General and then Governor of Virginia ... and Jim Gilmore has not slowed down since.

An unabashed conservative, Governor Gilmore has never backed away from standing up for the unborn or drawing the line on taxes. He is being urged by conservative leaders throughout the Commonwealth to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by John Warner.

A Washington Times article made that clear:

"We need Jim Gilmore's steady, conservative leadership in the U.S. Senate," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, and Paul Weyrich, chief executive officer of Free Congress Foundation, a District-based conservative think tank.

It may be a contest between Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis for the Republican nomination. Announcements of any candidacies will be after the November 6 election.

Gilmore's possible senate candidacy continues to gather steam....

Jim Gilmore, former governor on his way to a run at the senate seat being vacated by John Warner, has the financial support of Harrisonburg businessman/ entrepreneur Walter Curt. To the tune of $50,000, Mr. Curt has placed his bets behind the conservative Republican. Check out Jim Gilmore's Virginia Patriot blog.