I just doubt that any candidate outside of Bruning would dare run against Hagel. For one thing, they’d be persona non grata in the GOP if they lost, and for another, they wouldn’t stand a chance of winning if they split the “anti-Hagel” vote.

He won’t run if Hagel does because doing so would be stupid. But he’s making noise now because he doesn’t want Bruning to solidify the position as the anti-hagel. If Bruning does that, and succeeds in scaring Hagel out of the race, then Bruning will have all the money and media attention ready to cake-walk through the primary.

I think Bruning has made a smart political move by banging the pots and pans for this run so early. It makes Hal Daub just look like a 3rd rate candidate, and since Terry’s not running then it pretty much sets up Bruning as THE person int he race who isn’t named Chuck.

Tony Raimondo is making some noise now to make sure that if Hagel doesn’t run and Tony therefore decides to seek the nomination, people will have already heard of him. Tony must also know that he isn’t going to get Chuck’s endorsement if that happens, which means he’ll be angling for the anti-bruning, anti-hagel vote.

whew! it’s all so convoluted I don’t even know what to think!

as for Fort… I keep hearing his name so much, that something tells me his staffers must be spreading the rumor. I know he has the kind of ambition to run for Senate, and with Terry out of the race he’d be a pretty strong candidate for the nomination against bruning and Tony Raimondo and Hal Daub.

like I said, convoluted.