Mark Warner in 2008-- anyone know much about him?

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

I've been getting positive vibes about him as a prospective Democratic nominee in 2008, and in fact I'd see him maybe as one of our "Big 5" contenders (along with Clark, Gore, Boxer, Schweitzer) who would both rally the Democratic base and capture numerous Independents and disaffected Republicans. He'd certainly be vastly better than Hillary Clinton or any of the other ultra-hawkish DLCers who want to push the US into a state of semi-permanent war and would split Dem voters, with massive 3rd-party defections. The problem is, I don't know a whole lot about him.

Right now, my choice for 2008 is sort of a tie between Wes Clark and Al Gore (should Al decide to run). But I have been hearing some decent things about Warner too. On paper he seems to be the ultimate candidate to win the White House for the Democrats in 2008-- a popular governor of a conservative Southern Red State like Virginia who'd bring Red States and Swing States into our corner, a decent speaker from what I've heard. He hasn't been tarnished by Iraq war support or other warmongering. On the environment-- one of the other extremely important issues besides Iraq (Mother Nature needs us to stand up now)-- I know hardly anything, but a link sent to me by a buddy suggests he's strong here: http://www.caprep.com/0305054.htm
"Historic environmental legislation" is no small praise!

Maybe Mark Warner would be quite a powerhouse for us in 2008, but I at least don't know a whole lot about him. As I said, right now my support is basically a tie between Clark and Gore for 2008, but if anyone knows more about Mark Warner and can vouch for him, I might become a Warner supporter myself. Anyone (maybe any Virginians out there) can shed more light about Warner, as governor and his political career in general?

[friesianrider]

1. Even my fundie/Bush-supporting VA relatives "think he's ok"

And anyone else I know from VA who is normal thinks he is great. I also do not know much about him, but get good vibes from him.

I'll have to look into him a little more, but what limited knowledge I have, I really like him so far.

[kick_them_hard]

14. Warner is an exellent candidate!

He's a govenor of a southern state, he is very likable by both parties and he reminds me of Paul Hackett without the attitude. Dont get me wrong, Paul Hackett is a breathe of fresh air, but Warner's attitude is kinda like Obama. I just cant see Hillary winning. We need new blood.

[Ignacio Upton]

2. DUers wil hate him because he is part of the DLC

But I should also remind people how conservative Virginia is, and he has been pretty liberal relative to the state's standards. He pushed through a tax increase with the support of the Moderate Republicans in the State Legislature, and yet his popularity did not go down. he has a 75% Job Approval rating, and helped clean up the budget deficit that Virginia's last Governor Jim Gilmore created. For DLCers he's not that bad. He's pro-choice and is record is about that same as Howard Dean's in terms of fiscal responsibility.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

4. Is he really in the DLC?

He might be the rarest of birds-- a DLCer who's actually palatable to the base. Granted, he has the luxury of being a governor and thus avoiding the stain of the IWR, but it seems like he may be a "shadow DLCer"-- maybe someone who joined it to get financial and organizational support, but who doesn't really subscribe to its tenets.

Especially if he was able to push a tax increase in Virginia-- the home of the NRA and other uber-right wing organizations of all places-- *and* appears to be so strong on environmental issues, makes me wonder if he's both progressive and extremely clever. A very nice combination to have for a Presidential bid, no doubt!

[wyldwolf]

29. god, that's funny

It's funny to hear people "excuse" someone for being DLC when they happen to take a shine to him/her.

I like Warner because he IS a moderate DLC democrat.

[snowbear]

6. I sure wouldn't speak for all DU'ers....

Heck.. even Kerry was a member of the DLC? :shrug:

As far as Governor Warner goes - yeah, I think he'll do good in the primaries. Will he win the primary? Like paininthehearse always reminds us "It's only 2006!!"

He has a lot going for him -- and his Lt. Governor wants him to run with General Clark.

I say -- let's see who emerges in 2007 and until then onward to 2006 !!!

Warner on Radar ~~~~~~> http://www.radaronline.com/fresh-intelligence/2005/07/11/index.php

[ContraBass Black]

59. "and his Lt. Governor wants him to run with General Clark."

When and where did Kaine say that?

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Here's a link to a thread from the Politics/Campaigns forum

It includes a Warner bio, and 70+ replies to the thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=108x120925

There also have been several Warner threads in this forum, including recently but I'm too zonked after 14 hours of college football to took for them.

Warner is extremely intriguing because he provides a realistic shot at picking up Virginia and its 13 electoral votes, which would dramatically flop the margin of error in our favor and mean Ohio or Florida aren't nearly as vital.

[Carolab]

5. Good wrap-up about Warner from wikipedia here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Warner

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

7. Most popular Virginia governor in a generation!

In a heavily Republican state at that, while raising taxes and vigorously protecting the environment. Warner must have some pretty impressive aces up his sleeve. He's looking more and more appealing for 2008, though as someone else suggested, 2006 comes first.

[Catchawave]

21. Draft Mark Warner website:

http://draftmarkwarner.com/

a nice getting to know ya site :)

[bluedawg12]

51. He's smart, attractive, young, has proven red state appeal

he's Governor of a State- which should end concerns about not having foreign policy experience, look who we have now- a former (cough cough) governor.

This is the first I have heard of him nationally, and here on the DU, but from what I have read he certainly grabs my interest.

[snowbear]

8. Muddy...

Do you get the Big Eddie Schultz radio show where you live? Next time he has Mark Warner on as a guest, you should tune in!

~~~

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

9. Is Eddie Schultz national?

I guess with satellite radio or Webcasts we could probably finagle a way to get reception on him even if he doesn't have wide broadcasts. So Warner also hits the airwaves-- sounds like a populist, similar to Schweitzer in Montana. Even more interesting.

[snowbear]

10. You can pull up your location on here and see if you get him..

You can probably also check to see what time he's on in your area (Monday > Friday) and listen to him via the net?

http://www.wegoted.com/stations/index.asp

He's immemesly popular! :bounce: He's been traveling around and doing shows all over.. I think he's going to Columbus, Ohio next week.. :)


<---- Mark Clark---->

[Adelante]

20. Ed Schultz - OT, but important

Please, everybody who sees this, the Pentagon axed Ed from broadcasting on Armed Forces Radio after he was scheduled for an hour. DO NOT LET THEM DO THIS.

Many of you probably already know Ed Schultz, a prominent progressive radio talk show host who is syndicated nationwide. You may not know what happened this week though.

After being told that the first hour of Ed Schultz's daily radio show would air live on Armed Forces Radio every day, the Pentagon suddenly reversed the decision and refused to air Ed's program Monday morning, only hours before the first show would have been broadcast. The explanation for this sudden reversal seems weak.

Last year, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a resolution that was unanimously passed by the Senate, urging Secretary Rumsfeld and Armed Forces Radio to ensure more political balance in programming. Then, at the end of September, Manny Levy, Chief of the Radio Division of the American Forces Network Broadcast Center, advised Schultz's distributor, Jones Radio, that: "AFN Radio has squared away everything on our end to begin carrying the first hour of 'The Ed Schultz Show' each day, beginning Monday, October 17, 2005."

But suddenly, at 7 am on Monday the 17th, Allison Barber, the Pentagon's deputy assistant secretary for internal communications -- the same person who was responsible for staging last week's ill-fated video conference between President Bush and American troops in Iraq -- called Schultz's producer. Without any further explanation, she simply said that the deal was off.

We must let our voices be heard and exercise leadership to help ensure that the spirit of Senator Harkin's resolution -- and the spirit of fairness -- are at play on taxpayer financed programming.

Send an email to your Members of Congress now -- urge them to enforce fair play on Armed Forces Radio!

It was just 11 years ago when 70 Republican Members of Congress, led by then Congressman Robert Dornan (R-CA), demanded that President Clinton's Secretary of Defense Les Aspin broadcast Rush Limbaugh's radio and television programs to the military.

Well if Armed Services Radio is good enough for Rush Limbaugh, it's certainly good enough for Ed Schultz.

Tell your Members of Congress to urge the Pentagon to honor their promise and air the Ed Schultz Show on Armed Forces Radio!

Go Here:

http://ga4.org/campaign/edschultz


Go DU!!

[DaveColorado]

11. The last 3 elected Dem presidents were Southerners

Warner would be a smart pick. Fuck Hillary.

[snowbear]

12. Here's the thing.....

I didn't know anything about Governor Warner until Nick on here was mentioning him...

Since then, I've learned a lot about him.. and how he just won the "2005 Best Managed State in the Nation" as Virginia's very popular Governor.

He's got the money, he's got carry-over appeal, he's a NASCAR owner, he's a self-made mega Billionare, he's witty, sharp, tall, southern, handsome, has a stellar political career... and he and Clark are up to something.

Governor Warner's current Lt. Governor has been pushing him to select Wes Clark as soon as he announces.. Not sure if he'll do that, but I'm pretty positive if he's able to win the primary, you'll see General Clark selected as his VP nominee.

He's got a lot to offer and I think over the next 2.5 years.... we're going to start hearing MORE and MORE about Governor Warner!

Picture of Warner standing behind Kerry not long ago:

[Adelante]

18. Do you have a link on this, larissa?

"Governor Warner's current Lt. Governor has been pushing him to select Wes Clark as soon as he announces. I'm pretty positive if he's able to win the primary, you'll see General Clark selected as his VP nominee."

I would want Clark at the head of any ticket, but it's interesting how many people see him as VP to some candidate or other. There's an Edwards guy at TPM Cafe pushing that one. From 2004 primary experience, this is how it goes for Clark, some buzz rising out of other campaigns about VP prospects. It's starting awfully early this time around.

Me, I want a commander in chief in the Oval Office in these times.

Clark/? '08 :)

[Tom Rinaldo]

23. Well if Warner is good enough...

Maybe Wes Clark will tap him for his VP nominee. It seems that Virginia's Lt. Governor knows how to reach Clark. He can put in a good word for Warner directly with Clark. Thing is there is no way in Hell a Democratic Lt Governor of a state with a popular Democratic Governor (Warner) is not going to express public support for Warner for President as long as it seems Warner is interested. He would be a fool to say anything different.

But I think it is most important now to make sure that Warner is succeeded by another Democrat. Wes Clark has been campaigning for Kaine in Virginia, and that vote is just a month away.

[demnan]

13. Warner has made Virginia

one of the best fiscally managed states in the U.S.A. That is exactly what our Federal Economy needs. Although he is more conservative than I am being for capital punishment (the candidate for Governor this time, Kaine, is against it), he is highly popular throughout the state. He is also pro-choice.

Warner was a mayor in Alexandria, Virginia which is 5 miles south of Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia is far more liberal than the rest of Virginia.

He can't run again for governor because in Virginia you can only run for one term.

[ktlyon]

16. Isn't he a candidate for the Senate?

So Virginia would have two Senator Warners.

[Crunchy Frog]

22. No, he apparently has decided not to run for that Senate seat.

http://www.wsls.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSLS%2FMGArticle%2FSLS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031784755439&path=!news!localnews

Gov. Warner will not challenge Sen. George Allen in 2006
Associated Press
Aug 30, 2005
Governor Mark Warner makes it official. He announced on a radio call-in show that he won't run for the U.S. Senate next year. Warner told WTOP in Washington that he'll work to recruit a strong Democrat to challenge Republican Senator George Allen.

[demnan]

24. No, actually not

He isn't going to challenge Allen for the Senate race.

[nickshepDEM]

27. Not 'one' of the best... THE best managed state in the nation.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

33. That's impressive-- seems like he's managed the balancing act

of staying within the budget, raising taxes when necessary, funding important programs (like health care and environmental protection) while at the same time remaining popular in a conservative state. That's quite a tall order. Seems that he has a background of documented success to back him up. Admittedly, this is intrinsically easier for a governor than a Senator, but this is perhaps a big reason why our last two Presidential winners have been Southern governors. He and Clark would make a dynamic ticket.

[lastknowngood]

15. DINO

n/t

[nickshepDEM]

26. Why? Dont pop in and accuse the man of something w/o proof.

[wyldwolf]

32. Warner - true Democrat

n/t

[Zynx]

17. He almost upset Senator John Warner in 1996.

He is an impressive candidate and he knows how to get votes. In terms of political ideology, he's not a liberal, but he is a Democrat who believes in balanced budgets, more money for education and a means for paying for it, and protecting the environment. He might not be a political revolutionary, but he would be a sound manager as president and that might be just what people are looking for after Bush's mismanagement.

[nickshepDEM]

28. Indeed. He's also leading the fight for health care for every child in VA.

[liberalitch]

19. I like him..... both as a person and as a governor....

I worked on his campaign.
I'd love to see him take allen's seat then run for the whitehouse in 2008....

[nickshepDEM]

25. Arguebly the most successful Governor in the country.

Everything the man touches turns to gold.

He lacks foreign policy experience, but he can overcome that by presenting himself as a strong leader.

[jbane]

30. Va. Democrats are old school moderate politicians, that's why...

They keep winning elections in a very Red state. That and the fact that Va. Republicans are a bunch of bumbling buffoons.

[Dem Agog]

31. He used to post on the TiVo community forum

I think he's pretty cool...

[GRLMGC]

34. He's sounding pretty good nt

[Clarkie1]

35. Clark/Warner?

How old is Warner?

I still like the idea of a Clark/Obama ticket, though.

That would rock the nation (so to speak).

[venable]

36. He's fine, but why in the world

would voters go to him when we have a much stronger young Southerner available to us. And one that is politically much more potent.

Smarter. At least some foreign policy experience. Excellent name recognition. Proven campaigner. Progressive, yet with wide appeal.

Edwards.

To skip past Edwards to Warner makes no sense. Very similar, but Edwards has advantage from every single perspective (other than Governor-ship, which is a proven feather in the cap)

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

37. I agree Edwards has some advantages, but

overall it just seems that governors have many big pluses over Senators in general. Edwards was an IWR supporter-- granted, not nearly to the same extent as Hillary and Biden, and he's moderated his stance while the others have bayed even louder for war. Nevertheless, I just think this again shows the governor-vs.-Senator advantage.

I just don't know, and Edwards is someone I'm considering. I'm pretty open to arguments either way at this point-- so many unknowns for quite a few candidates.

[venable]

39. granted Southern Governors have a decent track record

in this regard, and this must be so for a reason.

And I believe the Warner is exactly the kind of Governor that could move on up.

However, Edwards advantages really are quite considerable, and the 'gravitas' question -very inappropriately applied to Edwards - would have greater sticking power on Warner.

I think that Warner is very, very important to the immediate future of the party, but not as a Presidential candidate. Same as I feel about Vilsack. They can serve the party better as Governors. IMO.

[napi21]

38. I'm glad to see posts like this one that point out the positives of

Warner. I first saw him mentioned here on DU a few months ago, but the only thing I read was "What do we know about him?"

I like what I hear, and the one thing I've been saying over, and over again is...Do you remember who the last sitting Senator was who actually WON the WH? Kennedy!!!!! Forty+ years ago!!!!

The more I read about Mark, the more I like him!

I would prefer a Warner/Clark ticket because the title Gov. with a proven record attached is very impressive, and if you say he doesn't have much foreign policy experience, it's the perfect fit for a retired Gen. to fill.

[phylla]

40. Clark / Warner is the winning team- Warner gets 8 years as VP ...

Then Warner/Obama in 2016 for the next 8 years
then Obama/my son Steve in 2024 for another 8 years

:-) Hey, a mom can have dreams too!

[williesgirl]

41. I'd sure vote for him - he helped us all in VA and actually got the

repubs to go along on a small tax hike that rescued the state last year. Best managed state status and the fact that most of the state IS like being in the deep South should be a plus. Luckily, I'm in N. VA but even parts up here mirror the South.

He's charismatic, really works to build consensus instead of trying to ramrod everything down folk's throats. He doesn't make a public spectacle of himself and if he has an ego, it doesn't surface.

I think he has a better chance of getting progressives and real Repubs, not neocons, to vote for him than Clark etc.

[dolstein]

42. He passes the test any Dem candidate for president should have to meet

When we got elected governor of Virginia, he did so by convincing voters who hadn't typically voted Democratic to vote for him.

That is, in my view, the essential test that any candidate for the Democratic nomination should have to pass. If we're going to win the next presidential election, we not only need to energize our base, but we also have to convince people who have voted Republican in the past to vote for a Democrat.

[Awsi Dooger]

48. That's exactly right

I got more than annoyed last year and in 2002 when there were tons of DU posts emphasizing GOTV, that the secret was all about GOTV and motivating our base. Hell, I work GOTV in the final days, and it's necessary given the prospect of a cliffhanger, but winning elections is first and foremost about swaying preference and stealing from the other side. We're never going to swamp the GOP with more new voters than them. That was the ongoing fallacy regarding our registration drive last year, although I got assaulted every time I posted how overrated it was.

An ounce of preference is worth a ton of GOTV. If you look at the numbers from rural Virginia, and how they typically vote in comparison to how they voted with Warner on the ballot in 2001, this guy obviously has rare crossover appeal. We're far better off accepting that and projecting it to 2008, than trying to explain it or pretending someone else can emulate it.

[Zynx]

55. I agree. The Democratic base will not carry us to victory in '06 and '08.

We need huge numbers of independents and some disaffected Republicans to build a lasting governmental majority. Not only that, it would be good for the country.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

58. Yep-- and we might even get some of those disaffected GOPers

to join the Democratic base. IMHO there's a pool of perhaps 30-40 million "potential Dems" out there who agree with the essence of what our party stands for, but don't know enough about us (or have been snowed by the Swift Boaters and MSM). Many have been part of the GOP for no other reason than their friends/relatives started them out that way, even if their principles are more aligned with us.

We need a bridge candidate to reach out and welcome these folks into our fold, someone who is liberal at heart but has a way of being able to reach out to the other side and draw them in as well. Mark Warner may be just the person here to meet that task as a Presidential nominee.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nickshepDEM]

46. Feingold is a good man.

And would make a hell of President.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

44. Another reason to consider Warner-- he'd get "Warner Republicans"

The GOP is in massive disarray right now with a lot of conservative anger at Bush over his massive government spending (especially post-Katrina), the embarrassment of all the indictments, eminent domain and anger about Bush's nominations. They're about ready to split apart. They themselves are admitting on all the conservative blogs that a run by Hillary would be about the only thing to unify them again and send them donating and to the polls, while a run by Mark Warner (and they mention him specifically) would draw many disaffected conservatives to support a Democrat they find palatable-- *even though* Warner seems at heart to be a genuine liberal with strong stands on the environment and an ability to raise taxes.

We need this-- thousands of endangered species are being driven out every year, and our country is going bankrupt-- and Warner, in his role as governor, has confronted both of these challenges within his own state, while at the same maintaining sufficient appeal among even conservatives. As Sun Tzu wrote millennia ago, you defeat your adversaries when you divide them against each other, not unify them. Warner may well be our best prospect to accomplish just that, while staying true to the liberal faith and principles.

[skipos]

45. We think a bit alike, Mud. I am learning about Warner and liking

what I am hearing. I feel that a Warner ticket has a better chance in VA than an Edwards ticket in NC. I also think a governor is going to be much better for us than a senator.

Clark is still my #1, but I like everything I have heard about Warner too. I am looking into Vilsack as well.

Here is a three year early, hypothetical question, what if the GE was between Allen and Warner, who would take VA?

[nickshepDEM]

47. According to the latest Rasmussen poll. Warner wins.

Warner has consistantly held approval ratings in the mid to high 60's. He's so damn popular in VA, I cant even put it into words.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Virginia%20President%202008.htm

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

52. A Dem with a 60% approval rating in Red State VA

More good news on this front. I guess he still has one more year as governor (elected in 2002 IIRC) but he should probably be vaulting high on our lists of consideration.

At the very least, if he really does pan out and shies away from the neocon warmongers (again, he has the advantage of being a governor on an issue like this), we could hopefully help to get a fundraising network up and running for him. That's a big factor in ultimately winning support when the primaries do start up, and even if fundraising doesn't physically begin (it's still a bit early)-- from my experience in 2004-- just having the names lined up can translate into a big outpouring of financial contributing from the base, which in turn can translate into early advantages in the primaries. I wouldn't go writing checks yet, but putting his name high up there on the lists of the big contributors could certainly help.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

53. A very good question-- two VA candidates

I'd sort of lean toward Mark Warner in that case since he's freshest in the minds of VA voters and has the financing and voter-turnout organization most poised to go into action again. It would be a slug-out, but an interesting hypothetical in any case. I still think the fact that Warner is a popular Dem in a very Red State, gives him a massive advantage nationwide in the GE.

[FrenchieCat]

49. I'm sorry but....

Unless Mark Warner expresses an opinion on Iraq one way of the other, he's off my list. Leaders must lead....and waiting in the wings of the Presidential Nominations without any opinions is not my idea of a leader.

VP....maybe. President? Not from where I sit.

[napi21]

50. It's really a long time 'till 08. I think you're asking too much for

any potential candidate to start taking positions on National and International issues. He's a Governor, and right now needs to establish his credibility and leadership abilities in that job.

[catmother]

54. long time till 08

i agree. what i'm reading about him i like. he's a fresh face.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

56. Yeah, I'm basically of the same mindset re: prepping for 08

We have to be careful not to look too far ahead (lest we introduce another target for the Swift Boaters), but at the same time, productive deliberation about 2008 can be valuable by drawing promising candidates to our attention early, and thus helping to lay the groundwork for future fundraising. A campaign doesn't spring up suddenly out of the blue, it needs to be gradually nurtured with a steadily growing body of supporters who draw more supporters and financing for a nascent campaign.

Warner looks promising and *accomplished* enough to fit the bill-- he really does seem to have a record of independent executive high achievement, and that above all is the sort of thing that draws in Independents and even some Republicans to our side. Whatever one's ideological convictions, ultimately proven accomplishments still have some currency among the electorate in general. He's still a bit ambiguous about Iraq but he certainly doesn't seem to be favoring the war outright, which for a governor is a definite step in the needed direction.

[TumorSupressor]

57. He was the only Dem

who was asked to attend the last Bilderberg group meeting. In the meeting in '03 it was John Edwards. Would be my guess that he is there pic.