Bye Tom. Gerry, money isn't everything.

Today, Tom Davis officially announced his retirement at the end of his term this year.

Gerry Connolly is still officially in the exploratory phase of his campaign for VA-11.

The Washington Post recently reported that Connolly has raised a sum of money that I think is more than Leslie Byrne has raised, even though Byrne's campaign started just after election day last year, while Connolly's exploratory bid started this year.

I'm going to take a wild guess that the other two announced Dem candidates, Denneny and Alexander, are far behind Connolly and Byrne in fundraising.

I'm going to take another wild guess that none of those mentioned as GOP candidates, Fimian, Connaughton, etc., will be able to outraise either Byrne or Connolly, particularly during the general election period.

As I've opined before, the only even arguable advantage Connolly has over Byrne is that he's never lost a race to Davis.

Without Davis on the ballot, I feel more strongly than ever that for the good of the Dem Party and, more importantly, for the good of the District, Connolly should opt not to run for VA-11.

Even if Byrne and Connolly were to wage a completely fair and honest primary battle, I see no reason for Connolly to make Byrne spend the money and distract her from the goal of putting the seat in the Dem column.

Being Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors ain't chopped liver, and a big majority of Fairfax County voters very recently expressed their trust that Connolly can and should perform that job.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Gerry Connolly has formed an exploratory committee. Most assume he'll run, but until he makes it legal, I'll not so assume.

Tom Davis says he'll let us know by the end of January.

It'll be a while until a Democratic Presidential nominee is known.

And, now I just found out I have to wait until May 13 for Rick Perlstein's Nixonland.

I'm quite sure of all four pending events, Nixonland will be the one most worth waiting for.

If you don't believe me, check out the prequel on Goldwater.