I dont know who the candidates are going to be in 2008, but I know of one I would vote for in a heart beat.  His name is George Allen, and yes he is my senator.

I liked him as governor.  He was a good governor, but then his tenure was not a tough time.  Still, he managed the state well (until recently, we have been blessed with mostly good governors on the last 15 years).  Then he ran against Clinton Jr, err, Chuck Robb.  And beat a sitting senator.  It was long past time for Robb to go.  As a Senator, he has had a distinguished if unremarkable tenure, often deferring to the senior senator from the state.

For the last 2 years, his name has been floating in the 08 presidential race.  Most people dont know him.  Hardly surprising given his quiet nature.  But that is soon to change.  If he makes a serious run for the Presidency, I think he has a great shot at getting the nomination, and then the presidency.

But what won me over was this point he made:

"First thing we need to do, and should have done, is [secure] our borders. We needed fences, whether virtual or physical, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground sensors, detention centers. . . . If that's all that can be done, do that now. Don't allow a lack of a consensus [on guest workers or other immigration issues] to prevent what needs to be done."

All these politicians, pontificating on the left and right, still have not articulated this simple concept. FIRST - secure the borders.  That is what every politician should be saying.  Forget amnesty or citizenship or fines or langauges.  If we do not secure the border, any law that is passed will amount to pissing into the wind.

I am going to work on getting this man, a rational and smart one, elected to the presidency.  And hope he does not turn around and become a Bush Republican - kowtowing to the open checkbook policies of the last 5 years.