The Fight Begins for Allen Supporters

In an interview last night, former governor and U.S. senator George Allen said he probably would not be taking sides in the brewing fight between Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell for the GOP nomination for governor in 2009.

"They are both well qualified and would be outstanding governors," said Allen, who yesterday ruled out his own bid for governor.

Even if the former governor stays on the sidelines, McDonnell and Bolling will immediately start battling to win over his supporters.

McDonnell and Allen, both of whom chair former senator Fred Thompson's presidential campaign in Virginia, have been friends for years. When Allen was governor in the mid 1990s, then delegate McDonnell was one of his close allies in the House.

But some Allen advisers have been upset with McDonnell in recent weeks because he appeared intent on running for governor, even if Allen had planned on it too.

By Tim Craig | January 9, 2008; 11:14 AM ET
Categories: Bill Bolling , Election 2009 , George F. Allen , Tim Craig Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Del.icio.us | Digg | Stumble Previous: Political Establishment React to Allen's Decision
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Comments

I'd like to know more about the members of the General Assembly and the local elected officials who are active advisors/surrogates for these two...

Posted by: Hector | January 9, 2008 4:32 PM | Report abuse

This also means the fight for McDonnell and Bolling's seat is joined.

Posted by: Hector | January 9, 2008 4:33 PM | Report abuse

What kind of seat do they have? A loveseat?

Posted by: Anonymous | January 10, 2008 11:59 AM | Report abuse

I heard that Bob Marshall plans to run for Gov because no other elected official in the Republican party is pro-life enough. Sure he is running for U.S. Senate, but maybe he could run for everything.

Posted by: Anonymous | January 12, 2008 7:32 AM | Report abuse

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