By Peter Hardin
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON — Rep. Thomas M. Davis III is a keen political strategist, and when he looked lately at Virginia's 2008 Senate race, he disliked what he saw.
The 11th District Republican had been regarded as a likely candidate for the GOP nomination. Yesterday, he announced he isn't running for the Senate.
Davis remarked to reporters about the challenge of facing a "very formidable" and wealthy Democratic candidate, former Gov. Mark R. Warner, in a presidential election season when President Bush has gotten low approval ratings.
And he seemed especially influenced by state Republican leaders' recent decision to pick a nominee through a convention, rather than a primary.
"There's a way to win it, and a way not to win it," Davis said, discussing the Senate race at a breakfast with journalists sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.
Republican conventions often are dominated by conservatives, who would more likely support former Gov. Jim Gilmore. Davis, a moderate from Northern Virginia's suburbs of Washington, said he considers the primary a better way to strengthen and expand the party.
The often blunt-talking Davis offered a view of Gilmore as a weaker candidate in a state that is changing politically.
"I think I was the right guy at the right time to try to give us any hope of winning a seat that I think is otherwise is going to be very difficult to hold," Davis said.
Davis also said he and his wife, state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, are "just exhausted" from two consecutive years of campaigning. He sought re-election last year and she's seeking it this year.
He will endorse the Republican nominee for the Senate, Davis said.
Davis, 58, is senior Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He has served in the House since 1995.
The 11th District Republican had been regarded as a likely candidate for the GOP nomination. Yesterday, he announced he isn't running for the Senate.
Davis remarked to reporters about the challenge of facing a "very formidable" and wealthy Democratic candidate, former Gov. Mark R. Warner, in a presidential election season when President Bush has gotten low approval ratings.
And he seemed especially influenced by state Republican leaders' recent decision to pick a nominee through a convention, rather than a primary.
"There's a way to win it, and a way not to win it," Davis said, discussing the Senate race at a breakfast with journalists sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.
Republican conventions often are dominated by conservatives, who would more likely support former Gov. Jim Gilmore. Davis, a moderate from Northern Virginia's suburbs of Washington, said he considers the primary a better way to strengthen and expand the party.
The often blunt-talking Davis offered a view of Gilmore as a weaker candidate in a state that is changing politically.
"I think I was the right guy at the right time to try to give us any hope of winning a seat that I think is otherwise is going to be very difficult to hold," Davis said.
Davis also said he and his wife, state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, are "just exhausted" from two consecutive years of campaigning. He sought re-election last year and she's seeking it this year.
He will endorse the Republican nominee for the Senate, Davis said.
Davis, 58, is senior Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He has served in the House since 1995.