Who’s Your Favorite? Senators Stay Mum
Picks for ’08 Not Settled Yet
Roll Call Staff
By the time the smoke clears from the 2006 elections, Senators on both sides of the aisle will be confronted with an unwelcome question: Who are you backing for president?
For now, though, most of them are running away from the question of which Senator, of the 12 potential candidates now being talked about, gets their endorsement for president.
“I don’t expect to be picking a horse,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). “It’s really not my vote that counts. It’s the vote of the Republican primary voters.”
“They’re working very hard to get people on board,” said one GOP Senate aide of the would-be presidents. “But unless it’s a home-state Senator, they’re asking a lot this far out. Tough to stick your neck out like that this early.”
On the Democratic side, Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.), Joseph Biden (Del.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), Chris Dodd (Conn.), Russ Feingold (Wis.) and John Kerry (Mass.) already are viewed as likely contenders. Despite his demurrals, Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) is also seen by some observers as a potential candidate.
The early Republican field includes Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.), who is retiring after this Congress, as well as Sens. John McCain (Ariz.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.), Sam Brownback (Kan.) and George Allen (Va.).
When the time is ripe, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers anticipate more pressure than ever to pick a team of supporters, even months before prospective nominees formally launch their bids.
But while sources in both parties suggested that some Senators already are privately picking favorites, for now, even the potential candidates themselves insist that they haven’t been actively seeking help from their fellow Senators.
McCain, an early frontrunner in the GOP field, laughed when asked whether he is soliciting the support of his fellow Senators. “I haven’t decided if I’m running yet,” he said.
Dodd said talk of lining up endorsements is premature. Right now, he said, Senator-to-Senator chatter revolves around advice and ideas, rather than candidate support.
“Most guys want to wait some time before making a decision,” Dodd said, adding: “I think these things have value at a certain time, but it’s awfully early.”
Senators and aides agree that most public endorsements will remain on hold until at least 2007, when candidates officially enter the race and the courtship begins.
One Democratic strategist said that this early on, prospective hopefuls aren’t seeking public endorsements; rather they are wooing colleagues indirectly by raising money and campaigning for House and Senate candidates, and carving out strong, credible policy positions.
“Right now, the way they are trying to curry favor with their colleagues is by helping with ’06,” said the strategist. “You build up chits that way.”
The influence of an individual Senator on the presidential contest rests in part on their stature within the party, as well as their influence in their home state and their ability to raise money for individual candidates. Democratic Senators also fill the role of “superdelegate” at the party’s quadrennial nominating convention.
“I don’t know if it helps that much, but it certainly doesn’t hurt you,” said one Democratic operative who worked on previous presidential campaigns. “Certainly it serves as a momentum builder to have your colleagues behind you.”
Democrats and Republicans alike are sure to look to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for guidance on how to approach their 2008 choices. But sources close to both leaders insist that neither intends to weigh in early on, recognizing that too many members of their flock are interested in running. Picking sides might only alienate a party they need to unify.
Reid, who served as Whip before becoming Minority Leader, gave his nod to then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) who briefly entertained a 2004 run. Reid, however, is in a different position now as the top Senate Democrat, and he risks dividing his party by choosing a favorite, sources agreed.
McConnell, for his part, has a slightly different predicament that in some ways mirrors Reid’s position in 2004. As the No. 2 Republican, McConnell is prepared to succeed Frist in January. If Frist runs for president, McConnell certainly would be pressed to remain loyal to his Majority Leader, but sources say he would have to weigh that against the overwhelming need to lead his Conference.
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