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[USBOctopus]

Picture This: Ben Affleck, Senator From Va.

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Tuesday, September 27, 2005; C3

If you liked him as Bennifer . . . you'll love him as Benator!

That's the hot new idea being tossed around by Virginia Democrats, who are desperately searching for a big name to challenge the reelection bid of rising GOP star Sen. George Allen next year, now that outgoing Gov. Mark Warner has ducked out.

Why, who should happen to be pondering a move to Thomas Jefferson country but a certain square-jawed media magnet with a taste for liberal politics and millions to spend on it . . . Ben Affleck ! Star of "Gigli" and the J.Lo tab romance, now happily settled with "Alias" star Jennifer Garner .

The couple, expecting their first child, have been shopping for real estate around Charlottesville. British tabloids claim it's a done deal; we will only go so far as to report that they checked out at least one country estate a few weeks ago.

It was about that time that party officials started batting Affleck's name around. "It's spread pretty widely, at least in the political underground," University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato, Virginia's premier pundit, told Michael Shear, The Post's Richmond correspondent.

Another name on the wish list: blockbuster legal-thriller writer John Grisham . But the central Virginia farmhouse owner, who gives generously to Democrats and did a stint in the Mississippi legislature, has brushed off past overtures, sources say.

In truth, the Dems are less concerned with beating Allen than slowing him down. Both he and Warner are eyeing the 2008 presidential race.

Affleck spokesman Ken Sunshine said the rumors are baseless, though "he would be a superb candidate for public office in the future. Right now, he's very busy directing his first feature movie for Disney, 'Gone, Baby, Gone.' "

From The Washington Post


Ugh.  I live in Charlottesville.  Let me say that this is the worst political idea I've heard since Illinois Republicans decided to import Alan Keyes.

[MizMills]

If he wins can he exile Ms.Lopez and her hubby? Bleech  :rolleyes:

[s2c]

:p

[Mary]

Hmm...I've got nothing against Ben Affleck, but other than showing a passing interest in politics (wasn't he around a lot during Democratic events last year?), it doesn't seem like he's got a lot of experience in that area.  Seems like they might be better off going after a candidate of more experience/substance, rather than worrying about getting one with bling-factor...I'd hate for our political system to come to that, parties just one-upping each other with celebrity candidates.   :p