Unger v. Capito in 2008?

MetroNews' Hoppy Kercheval considers the possibility in his online column today.

He cites a recent phone call to the Berkeley County Democrat from U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill. and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Caucus.

"Unger is an intriguing choice by the DCCC," Kercheval writes. "The three term senator has always been somewhat of a misfit within the state party structure. He’s frequently a thorn in side of state senate leaders who prefer team players to independent voices."

Emanuel is a key figure in a new book on the 2008 election, The Thumpin'. But Capito, R-2nd, was one of the few November successes for the GOP in West Virginia, avoiding the wave evoked by that title.

Few national pundits have yet weighed the hundreds of U.S. House races slated for 2008. Those that have, including The Rothenberg Political Report and Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, don't include Capito's (or either of the other two W.Va. seats, for that matter) in their rankings.

"Any seats not listed are currently considered to be at limited risk for the incumbent party," Rothenberg notes.

DC's Political Report, meanwhile, lists several other potential Capito challengers: Delegates Cory Palumbo and Carrie Webster, both D-Kanawha; Sen. Dan Foster, D-Kanawha and a physician; and Gat Caperton, son of the former governor and an Eastern Panhandle business owner.

This report also notes the speculation that Capito may be recruited to take on U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller in 2008, and so lists former state Sen. Steve Harrison, R-Kanawha, as a possible successor in her House district.

Update: The Charleston Daily Mail reported earlier on entreaties to Unger from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.