General Pace for Senate?

(Hat tip: PewSitter.com)

A Washington Post blogger speculates that the Virginia GOP might try to persuade retired Marine General Peter Pace (a devout Catholic) to enter the fray to replace retiring Senator John Warner:

Virginia Republicans are buzzing over speculation that retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace may be lured into running for the U.S. Senate being vacated by John W. Warner (R).

On Sunday, Pace retired as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. He plans to settle in the Fort Myer area.

The conservative publication National Review ran an editorial Monday urging Pace to enter Virignia Senate race. [ED.: Link to National Review added.] The editors of National Review said conservatives aren't happy with either Rep. Thomas M. Davis III or former governor James S. Gilmore III, both of whom have been mentioned as possible candidates.

"The articulate and personable four-star would be a novice politician wise in the ways of Washington," the editorial states. "As a veteran of the Pentagon's senior ranks, he would have a commanding advantage over all other candidates on national-security issues. Unlike other senior military leaders, the Catholic General Pace has been outspoken about his conservative beliefs on social issues."

Virginia GOP activists say a draft General Pace website is expected to appear in the coming days. A General Pace for Senate page has also been launched on the social networking site Facebook.com

The effort to lure Pace into the race comes as Republicans are increasingly concerned that neither Davis nor Gilmore could defeat former Gov. Mark R. Warner (D), who announced his candidacy last month.

Pace, who had a four-decade long career as a Marine, could be the Republicans' answer to Virginia Sen. James Webb (D), who is also a Marine.

My Comments:
Maybe I could be persuaded to move back to the Old Dominion in order to vote for him.

But what will the retiring Sen. Warner do if General Pace runs to replace him? Will he support General Pace? You may recall that Warner stabbed his party in the back the last time it nominated a decorated Marine to run for the U.S. Senate in Virginia.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
General Pace Back in the News

Harry Reid Slanders General Pace

Brownback Sends Letter in Support of General Pace

Joint Chiefs Chairman Calls Homosexual Acts "Immoral"