Sen. Warner, 80, with a future to ponder

by David Lerman

These are trying days for Sen. John Warner.

At the age of 80, Virginia's senior senator has promised to decide by next month whether to seek re-election next year for another six-year term.

The centrist Republican, long one of Virginia's most respected and relatively popular politicians, offered his most reflective public thoughts on the matter so far in an appearance Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press.

Presenting himself as a man who is genuinely undecided about his political future, Warner confided that he has been keeping a daily diary for the past six months, assessing how he feels each day about his work-- and whether he is ready to commit to another six-year term.

``What do you think I should do?" Warner asked moderator Tim Russert. ``What would you do if you were 80 years old?"

When Russert offered no advice, Warner continued to brood.

``The people of Virginia have stood with me strongly," he said. ``Now, I've got to go out and assess each day. For six months, I've kept a little diary. I feel this way: not physically, but mentally. Should I stay, should I not?"

The answer to that question could hold profound consequences for Virginia, and perhaps for the country.

A decision to stay would likely ensure that Warner retains his seat for another term. But a decision to retire would trigger a fierce competition for an open Senate seat that potentially could tilt the partisan balance in the U.S. Senate.

The opening could prompt former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner to make a Senate bid. Republicans, meanwhile, could be in for a bruising nomination battle between U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, a Fairfax County moderate, and former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore, a conservative.

The Senate is currently comprised of 51 Democrats (including two independents who caucus with Democrats) and 49 Republicans.

John Warner, who first won his seat in 1978, made clear that he enjoys his job but must weigh the toll it takes on a man who would be serving-- if re-elected-- until the age of 87.

``The Senate requires you to go full bore, six or seven days a week," he said. ``Tremendous energy. Got to Iraq, jump in and out of helicopters, get on the cargo planes, no sleep. And that's different things we've got to do all around. And I've got to assess, at this age, whether it is fair to Virginia to ask for a contract for another six years."

Asked if that is a lot to expect of a man in his 80's, Warner replied, ``That is correct. But anyway, I'm going to make that decision, and I'm going to do what's right for my state and my country in terms of running again. I am confident that I can run a good, strong campaign. But then I've got to also say to Virginia, on the eve of my 88th birthday, I'm still going seven days, seven nights with full steam. I might be able to do it. Stand by."

There has been much speculation in Washington in recent weeks that Warner was more likely to retire. Several of his top staffers recently left for jobs in the private sector, and Warner has raised virtually no money for a re-election campaign so far.

But Warner has downplayed such events, insisting he was sending no signal of his intentions one way or the other. His staff members left for personal reasons unrelated to his own future, he has said. And Warner, a multimillionaire, said he did not feel comfortable raising money until he had decided whether to seek re-election.

Asked Sunday which way he was leaning, Warner told Russert: ``My dear friend, I'll go back and make a little diary entry after this day. But I'll keep that counsel to myself."