Tom Perriello for Senate in Virginia? – David Catanese – POLITICO.com

This would be sweet revenge on VA-5 and Perriello can win this…

If he won once in a district as conservative as VA-5 and did relatively well under horrible circumstances last year, Perriello could really win a state-wide race.  Vote rich Northern Virginia would love him…

Conventional Washington wisdom suggests that Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is the best candidate to carry the banner for Virginia Democrats in the Senate race to replace retiring Jim Webb.

But it’s not a certainty that Kaine would be the candidate most useful to President Barack Obama as he attempts to again lock down the Commonwealth’s 13 electoral votes in 2012.

Kaine is unquestionably an Obama loyalist. Before taking the DNC post, he was widely viewed as a finalist for Obama’s running mate in 2008 and was the first governor to endorse the president outside his home state of Illinois.

But some progressives argue that the unapologetic former Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) would be better suited to ignite the fire of a complacent base than the more measured, milquetoast Kaine. While Kaine might carry the baggage of being an Obama “cheerleader,” Perriello would proudly wear the label and be more effective at rallying disgruntled Democrats to the cause, some progressives say.

Kaine also appears wary of jumping into the race and might have to be talked into running.

“Why Not the Guy Who Wants the Job?” wondered the Democratic blog Blue Virginia. “When we have a candidate like Tom Perriello — strong progressive values, hardworking and 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?”

via Tom Perriello for Senate in Virginia? – David Catanese – POLITICO.com.