Virginia Tomorrow

1. ” 2″

This is the over/under number of Democratic losses in the Virginia congressional delegation Tuesday evening. Any number lower than 2 and the Democrats will feel that they’ve dodged a bullet. Greater than two and the Republicans will be partying like it’s 2009.

2. House Majority Leader

That’s what America is likely to be calling Eric Cantor on Wednesday morning. While Cantor may not really be a “Young Gun,” his rise is still nothing short of meteoric. Still, Cantor and his fellow Republicans face formidable challenges. Can they begin to reverse the extraordinarily negative sentiments that Americans have expressed about Congress in recent years? And how can they ensure that a GOP congressional victory in 2010 doesn’t make Obama’s re-election easier in 2012 like Gingrich’s ascension in 1994 ultimately did for Bill Clinton?

3. Speaking of Gingrich

The former Speaker of the House gave a speech at Liberty University this week in which he hinted at a possible presidential run in 2012. I’m not sure how many Republicans will be taking the hint. While many activists respect Newt’s brain power, it’s hard to see how he’s the most appealing standard bearer for the party against Obama.  It would be no small irony if Gingrich did for Obama in 2012 what he did for Clinton in 1994.

4. A Headscratcher?

That’s what a lot of people, including many Democrats, are thinking about the decision to bring Obama to C’ville Friday evening on behalf of Tom Perriello. Why would you bring a President with a declining approval rating to a district that John McCain carried in 2008?  Maybe Perriello is a lot smarter than the pundits, but the conventional wisdom is that Obama’s visit makes it far more difficult for Perriello to distance himself from the unpopularity of his national party. As one prominent Republican put it to me this week: “this looks a lot like Bush coming to Virginia for Kilgore and it’s likely to have the same effect.”

5. Cuccinelli

He’s not on the ballot, but the rise of Tea Party nationally and in Virginia has made Ken Cuccinelli into an extraordinarily formidable figure in Virginia GOP circles. Cuccinelli’s base is certainly going to encourage him to rn for something other than Attorney General. Perhaps in 2011 we’ll find out exactly what this is.

6. McDonnell

He’s not on the list of governors likely to run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. But his election in 2009, along with Chris Christie’s, is increasingly seen as the first indication that the Republicans were making a comeback after the 2008 debacle. Put him on the short list for the GOP veepstakes in 2012.

7. Kaine

Ouch. On Tuesday night, he’s hoping that the Dems might lose only 5 or 6 six Senate seats and he’ll be able to spin this as a favorable result. In reality, it’s hard to believe that Kaine will have to be spinning much longer. Partisan-in-chief was never a great fit for his talents and skills and I don’t think that the President will be holding his personal friend responsible for whatever defeat is administered to the Democrats on Tuesday. Put him on the list for a cabinet post in a post-election shakeup of the Obama team.