Chances improving that Kaine runs for Senate, Va. senator says

It is looking more likely that Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine will run for Senate in Virginia, according to the state's juinor senator.

Mark Warner (D-Va.) said during an interview on Bloomberg's "Political Capital" that will air this weekend that Kaine will be the strongest candidate should he decide to jump into the race.

"I think the chances were slim to start with," said Warner. "I think they're getting a lot better right now."

The senator's comments are another sign that Kaine — a former Virginia governor _ will run for a seat in the upper chamber in 2012, which would set up one of the most-watched races in the country.

Many Democrats have urged Kaine to run for Senate ever since Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) announced last month he would not seek reelection. If he runs, Kaine could face former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), who is seeking the GOP nomination. Allen lost to Webb in 2006, a Democratic wave election.

Kaine is weighing a run, but has been mum about his intentions. A poll released this week by Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling showed a potential Kaine-Allen match-up as being in a dead heat.

Warner, who served as governor before Kaine, said that the chairman and his wife "are down taking a few days off trying to make that decision."

"I think he would be our strongest candidate, and I think he's somebody that would be a great voice in the Senate," said Warner.

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