HHS Secretary and former WI governor Tommy Thompson should consider running.
The GOP should try and get former ND governor, -- Schaefer is it??? -- to run against Conrad. Though for some reason he didn't run this year. Is he not popular? Or they could try and get their current gov who just won an overwhelming reelection victory to cut short a second term and run, though of course it'd only be cut short if he won. Conrad is almost as insufferable as Daschle.
Nelson of Nebraska votes conservative for a Democrat, and crossed over to vote with the GOP on several key issues. So he may be tough to beat as he has some semblance of a record where he actually votes conservative.
New Mexico: What about that former GOP gov who favored some sort of limited drug legalization. I think his name is Johnson. I wonder if he left as a popular governor?
Florida: Obviously Jeb could win it, but he has said he will return to private life after the conclusion of his second term in 06.
As for GOP seats, I don't really know who might be vulnerable. I expect the Dem gov of Virginia, Mark Warner, will challenge Sen George Allen. I've read that Warner is popular, but he has made some liberal moves that Allen could use against him.
You read my mind - Tommy Thompson would kick Herb Kohl's ass here in Wisconsin. Tim Michels ran a good race against Feingold, and he said he'd be back - maybe 2006 will be his year. We're sure disappointed we didn't join the red states this year, and will work hard to make it happen.
Thompson is from my home state. I think he is a smart man, but he is NOT a charismatic speaker, and he is sorta frumpy. He is like your totally dependable uncle. Nobody ever notices him, but he is always there when something needs to be done. He just doesn't have alot of shine to him.
I think a Prez has to be very quick on his feet with the press, etc, and have a "look at me- I am able to take care of problems" air about them. Not a pretty boy thing- just a solid feeling the man needs to exude- Sorta like John Wayne or Ben Johnson or Chuck Yeager. You always knew when they were in the room. They just could sit there and while being totally approachable, they have "ABILITY" written all over them.