RUNNING OUT OF TIME

GEORGE FELIX ALLEN JR.


George Felix Allen Jr.'s time may be running short in an effort to secure a recount in his Virginia Senate race against presumptive winner Jim Webb. By Virginia law, he appears to be entitled to a recount, but his Republican colleagues seem less inclined to support him in the effort. According to Hotline:

Top Republicans in Washington will give Sen. George Allen a few days to take stock of his legal and political options before beginning to pressure him to concede to James Webb. Senior Republican officials and White House aides believe that Webb won the race. Several outside advisers to Allen want him to make the decision quickly; others in his campaign want to make sure that there's no chance a cache of new votes will turn up.

With questionable support behind the effort, this looks to be the death knell of a Republican-controlled Congress. If even White House personnel believe that Felix's goose is cooked, I'd say his days are numbered. It's amazing that Felix has gone from a strong contender for his party's nomination for president in 2008 to a dead-in-the-water politico.

This is truly a new day in Washington. Bush and the minority party Republicans in both houses need to get on board or get out of the way.