U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott hasn't said much about his name popping up in the Democratic discussion over who should replace outgoing Virginia Democrat Sen. Jim Webb, but this weekend Scott at least acknowledged that it's a possibility.
Scott, the long serving Newport News Democrat, is fresh off another easy election win in Virginia's 3rd District which stretches from Norfolk all the way to Richmond along the James River and is packed with minority voters.
So far the two names that are high on the radar are former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and former Rep. Tom Perriello who impressed a lot of folks with his two years in the House. But Kaine told Democrats he's still talking the idea over with his family, and Perriello appears to be an holding pattern until Kaine makes an official move.
But Scott's name is floating out there and here's a little snippet of what he told Wesley Hester at the Richmond Times Dispatch.
State Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, said Democrats are in good shape, regardless.
"I think the world of both of them, but another name you hear is Bobby Scott," he said, referring to Virginia's 3rd District congressman.
"I think we'll be solid, regardless of who we nominate."
Scott said it is too early to say.
"I don't think we need to decide right now. No one anticipated the open seat, and I think it would be absurd for people to just jump up and run," he said. "If I were to run, it would be around July."
Virginia Democrats appear to be happy to take their time before deciding on a nominee who will fill out the ticket in 2012 with President Barack Obama. Obama's talked to Kaine about the job - but doesn't look like he's leaning on Kaine to instantly jump into the race. Obama's going to want some help on the Virginia ballot in what promises to be a tough 2012 election.
But the election remains a ways off - and Democrats have to hoping that the Republicans vying for the GOP nominationspend their time on internecine warfare for the next year or so. George Allen in the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, but Richmond tea party founder Jaime Radtke is in the race and raising cash and Del. Bob Marshall in rumored to join the field - which could also include a number of conservatives.
Scott would be an interesting matchup for the GOP because he's got a strong base in Hampton Roads and Richmond. He'd likely have to build name recognition in Northern Virginia, but with the amount of NorVa Democrats - that doesn't seem like a big stretch.
But it could be all just rumors - because a couple of years ago folks floated Scott's name as a potential Supreme Court justice.
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