So how did Mark Warner do for himself? He is running for an important seat in an important state.

[FrenchieCat]

I found his speech interesting and worth listening to. The delivery made me feel like I'm glad he didn't run for President though.

What say you.....?

[TwilightGardener]

1. He did OK, but not very memorable. He'll make a fine Senator.

[quiet.american]

3. That pretty much sums it up. Fine job, looking forward to seeing him in Senate. nt

[peoli]

2. I couldnt really get into him, but I wish him luck.

[PM7nj]

4. Good, but no Obama.

[Seen the light]

5. He was pretty bad

Unfortunately for him, the night belonged to Hillary.

[DesertFlower]

6. i really like mark warner.

i liked his speech. he'll make a great senator.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. A decent speech, some good lines.

But Schweitzer should have done the keynote address -- he was spectacular, while Warner was merely pretty good.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I think that is why Schweitzer is not running for anything......

and Mark Warner is running for something that will make a differene in an Obama administration governing....so I understand why the choice was made. Plus Schweitzer was certainly placed in between the two, so that was a good place to have him.

[Awsi Dooger]

8. He would have won a general election in a massacre

Much higher electoral vote total than Obama or Hillary.

His problem was getting the nomination vs. star power and without great charisma. He figured that out and is a lock to win big in Virginia.

[ecstatic]

66. Yeah. Another smooth, clean cut JE type

Hopefully there's substance in there somewhere.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

71. I suspect he stepped aside for Hillary. I believe he's DLC.

But I agree, I think he would do better then Hill or Obama.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

10. Content good, delivery meh. Yeah in retrospect, Schweitzer would've been better,

he had the fire going. I liked Warner though. He's no Barack or Hillary though.

[girl_interrupted]

11. Warner Boring, Schweitzer Excellent!, Hillary Amazing!

I wish Warner luck, he has an election to win and he's afraid to rock the boat. That's ok...we need Virginia. Schweitzer might have made a better keynote speaker, he got the crowd going, very likable personality. And Hillary was just awesome!

[FVZA_Colonel]

12. He did better than I thought (a bit sharper than I thought it would be),

but it wasn't really on the level of Schweitzer or Obama.

[kansasblue]

13. Excellent style and delivery (technique 10) but message was just ok.

Good solid message but he had to be compared against Michelle, Hillary, Brain, Teddy.

[Frank Booth]

14. God was that boring. It may help him in his Senate race, but he was smart to give up his

presidential aspirations. He just doesn't have it.

[Awsi Dooger]

15. In watching his speech again, something is very obvious

Warner doesn't identify clever or powerful words to punctuate a thought. The themes are fine but the wording is bland as hell.

In journalism school one professor always stressed that every word was important. Someone needs to convey that to Mark Warner. Better writing would make his speeches far more memorable, although I concede his personality puts a regulator on how commanding he can be, regardless of the syllables.

[Thothmes]

37. We did not vote for him to be an eloquent speaker

We him to be a good governor, and he was. We will vote for him to be a good senator, which he will be. Don't give a damed whether he is a polished public speaker or not. He is a very effective publc servant with the welfare of the citizens at heart.

[Awsi Dooger]

68. He was my top choice for president

I think you're a bit defensive on this topic. My comment was an observation, not a condemnation.

At YearlyKos '06 here in Las Vegas he have a speech that was considered dull, even though he did many great things at that gathering and subsequently. I had not seen a major speech from Warner since he pulled out of the presidential race. Last night was superior to his previous speeches -- more energy -- and I mentioned that in other threads. But he does need snappier more memorable phrases.

[Thothmes]

70. If he would run for the office of President, I would vote for him.

[TexasObserver]

16. the second coming of Chuck Robb

and equally exciting as a speaker

[beac]

17. Hey, being that you're from Texas, I wouldn't cast stones on any other state's politicians.

Warner gets 100% of the credit for beginning the amazing transformation of Virginia from red to blue and here in the Commonwealth we love him for it.

[TexasObserver]

19. Hey, my being from Texas is irrelevant to Warner and Robb.

Do you know anything about Chuck Robb?

If the only thing you can think of is to yell "yeah, well TEXAS!" just do yourself a favor and remain silent, rather than reveal yourself that vacuous. Don't bother responding. You're going on my ignore list, because I can't imagine you ever typing anything I would find worth reading.

[beac]

21. Holy moly-- calm down.

I was refering to BUSH and thought you'd know that.

Of COURSE I know who Robb is, I've lived in VA all my life.

But yeah, you're reaction did kind of conform to a lot of Texas stereotypes, so I'm sure your fellow citizens will thank you for that.

[smiley_glad_hands]

32. Did you want to talk about his trist with a playbunny?

Or his drug use in Va Beach? Regardless, he was a moderating blue voice in a sea of red.

Again, where's W from?

[TexasObserver]

36. Yes, I know Chuck Robb. Dumb as a box of rocks.

[smiley_glad_hands]

39. That would be at least a few rocks smarter than W.

[Virginia Dare]

42. At least Chuck Robb went to V.N..

and wasn't playing fly boy in Alabama.

Hey, why are we comparing Chuck Robb and shrubya anyway?

[TexasObserver]

47. there is no logic, only a strained rationale

I commented about how Warner was boring, reminding me of another Virginia Democratic Senator, Chuck Robb, a guy I helped get elected to his senate seat and was friendly with for a number of years. Although a nice guy, Chuck was not a good speaker. He was boring. Much like Warner is a boring speaker.

I compared them.

The poster with the tenuous hold on reality then took my comments about Warner and Robb as an insult to Virginia, and in his mind, striking back at Texas was the appropriate response. His comments about Bush are intended to show that Bush is a butthole, so there, Texas! Like I care about Bush or any of the GOP fixtures that have been elected here.

He's taking offense on behalf of Virginia, and striking back at "Texas," he imagines.

[Virginia Dare]

49. I never met Chuck, but I did meet Lynda..

she was a wonderfully gracious woman, just like I imagine her mother was. My MIL used to see her in the grocery store sometimes too. She was never pretentious or snobby.

Agreed that Chuck probably would never have made it as a politician without his wife.

[TexasObserver]

52. I got to know Lady Bird a little after LBJ died.

I met LBJ and Lady Bird when I was a soldier, in 1968. My next contact was with her in about 1975, when she was on the board of regents at University of Texas. I was lobbying for the law school in those days, and got to know her and several of the regents while doing so. She was ever bit the lady, and very charming.

I didn't get to know Chuck until the mid 1980s, when I was working with the DSCC. He was one of the Democrats we had pegged for the senate, and he was one of our recruits to run for the US senate in the late 1980s.

Competent, if somewhat conservative, guy. Not a movie star.

[Virginia Dare]

56. One more bit of my Chuck Robb trivia..

I know some people who went to high school with Tai Collins in Virginia Beach. They said she was pretty much of a nerd back then.

I think the repubs set him up for that, not that it's any excuse.

[TexasObserver]

59. it's shocking how many politicians get caught with their pants down

If I can be so blunt, there are many "star fuckers" out there who go for politicians - governors and US senators, mainly. They are drawn to the power. Even guys you don't expect to step out will fool you (I'm looking at you, John Edwards!)

That little incident ruined Robb's chances to do more.

[Virginia Dare]

60. But it was just a massage! LOL!....n/t

[beac]

58. Because somebody from Texas got their panties in a big ol' twist.

;)

[Virginia Dare]

61. It's Connecticut we should be crapping on..

they gave us Bush (all of them) and Lieberman!

(this is a joke, I love the CT!)

[beac]

67. Oh no, it's gonna be WAR!

:rofl:

(I was born in CT and love it too, BTW)

[TexasObserver]

46. If your point is that George Bush is an idiot, WELL DUH!

So is John Coryn. So is Kay Bailey Hutchison.

You see, the fact that I am from Texas and Bush is from Texas has relevance only to you, because you think and talk like a child. My criticism of Warner and Robb has nothing to do with Virginia, and only a person with a very small brain would think my criticisms of them is a criticism of Virginia.

In summary, grow up and stop acting like a mad 13 year old.

[smiley_glad_hands]

31. As a Virginian I take exception to the contempt you have displayed for our politicians.

At least I can say W is from your state and not mine.

[TexasObserver]

35. I don't care what state they're from, they're both very boring.

Stop acting like a child. There is nothing lamer than your pretending my comments are an insult to your STATE. My comments are an insult to two Democratic politicians. If you don't like it, don't read it, friendo.

Both guys are extremely boring speakers. That is my point, one you'd know if you had any political experience at all.

[smiley_glad_hands]

40. You are the only one acting like a child here.

I'd rather have a boring dem than a fascist republican anyday.

Political experience?

You know nothing about Virginia politics. lolz

[TexasObserver]

48. More nonsense from a poster bereft of intelligent thoughts.

Your comments are silly and childish. Stop acting as if criticizing a politician is the same as criticizing a state. And my comments about politicians are acceptable here. Your personal attacks on me are not acceptable here.

I know more about Virginia's politics than you ever will. I know Chuck Robb, and helped him get elected in Virginia.

[Virginia Dare]

50. I'll never get over Chuck letting Macaca roll over him the way he did..

it seemed like his heart just wasn't in it anymore and he wouldn't fight for it, and it REALLY pissed me off that we were stuck with that boob in the Senate.

[TexasObserver]

51. Chuck wanted to be president, and when he figured out that was not going to happen ...

... he began to lose interest.

Chuck is a decent guy, but if he had never married LBJ's daughter, we would never have heard from him. I liked the guy on a personal level, but he simply lacked the depth and range of a guy like Biden or Obama.

[smiley_glad_hands]

75. Prove you know him personally.

[smiley_glad_hands]

73. Right. Continue in the personal attacks?

Where? you are the one that bashes a state and its dem politicians.

Fan of rove much? Seems you enjoy using his tactics.

[beac]

63. Clearly,

TexasObserver seems more interested in stirring sh!t than anything else.

He (and at least I bothered to check his gender, a courtesy he didn't afford me) said Warner "the second coming of Chuck Robb and equally exciting as a speaker"-- clearly commenting on MORE than Warner's "boring" speech. Not that he's "man" enough to admit in now.

Alas, he banished me to his ignore list, so I suspect you are on your way there too. Don't Mess with Texas! O NOZ! :rofl:

[smiley_glad_hands]

74. I hope I do make his ignore list.

Well he says he got Robb elected, yeah don't mess with texass.

[Midlodemocrat]

55. .

:applause:

:thumbsup:

Texas... yeah, that's the ticket. :eyes:

[Virginia Dare]

41. I'd take 100 Chuck Robbs over 1 Macaca Allen...n/t

[TexasObserver]

53. amen to that

My biggest problem with Chuck was and is his lack of speaking ability. He's simply not a good public speaker. Warner was better, but both LOOK better than they talk. IMHO.

[Virginia Dare]

57. I just hope that people don't write Mark Warner off now..

he really is a good guy, and I hope people give him a chance. Not everybody can be an Obama at the podium. Perhaps he'll prove himself in the Senate.

[TexasObserver]

62. just remember the recovery Bill Clinton made from his 1988 disaster!

OMG! It was so bad.

I don't think Warner is an inherently bad speaker. He needs to work on his whole approach, however. Speaking requires passion. If you're just reading lines, it does not sell.

[smiley_glad_hands]

76. If you knew anthing about Va politics, then you would know his speech and delivery was on target.

[NEM]

18. ZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

When warner was speaking, I heard a lot of toilets flushing across the country.

That was potty time for many Americans.

Good speaker but man, his speech worked better than counting sheep.

[TexasObserver]

23. the most boring speaker the convention will have

Good lord he's a snoozer.

[smartvoter]

44. I second that. Also didn't like how much was about himself. nt

[Beausoir]

20. His delivery was beyond terrible. Same with Sebelius. Just awful.

I listened to both of them on NPR and they both sounded flat, stumbling and monotone.


Maybe they were better on tv, but on radio they were awful.

[FrenchieCat]

22. Kathleen looked good on TV, but her delivery was not the best....

as for Warner, it seemed almost hard for him to get through it. But what he talked about was good to hear, just not impactful enough....not even like Chinese Food.

[Bake]

38. To all those who pushed Sebelius for VP

Be glad you were wrong.

Bake

[fujiyama]

24. His speech was forgettable and mostly typical Dem convention fare

It wasn't terrible. It just wasn't exciting or anything. He was right that following Obama's speech last year is tough (no one wants to follow him speaking), and Hillary absolutely blew it out of the water today. Her's was truly magnificent.

I've seen Warner speak before and I think he's more interesting when going into detailed policies. He seems more like a policy wonk type.

I still really appreciate Hillary's speech. Amazing. I wish she were VP, but I can understand Obama's reasoning in going another way. I hope she has a prominent role to play in an Obama administration.

[Thothmes]

25. Typical for Mark Warner

A thoughtful speech delivered in his usual under-inspiring style. He was probably the best Governor in Virgina in the last 50 years (my opinion). He will win the election to the Senate easily. He will make an excellent Senator. I do not believe that he will ever be very popular with the DU. I find his political vision is pretty well near the center.

[damndude]

26. the media did have this right.

tepid speech. tepid delivery.
there was no meat to it. no teeth to it. i wanted to see someone come out there and set fire to that crowd and show the television audience why democrats are THE choice this year and he did no do that. it took hillary clinton to do that. this was my first experience seeing mark warner in action and after all the things i had heard i was underwhelmed.

[williesgirl]

27. Warner was a great Gov and lead the way to turn us blue. Kaine is also good but

accomplished alot less due to his style. He turned off all the central/southern VA legislators and nothing happened as a result. Warner will liven up once in the Senate. I predict he'll be a great Jr Senator, get on the best committees and have an excellent career there. Then, he'll run for President one day and get in. Just my opinion.

We in VA are soooo grateful to him. I live in the mountains just west of Fairfax. When I moved here 5 years ago from there, I realized I just moved to the "deep South" in mindset. For an original feminist and lifelong Democrat, that was hard to stomach. But I figured, it's beautiful here, no traffic, no "cement cities" etc., and that I'd work to make a difference.

I got a call last night while watching the convention from a stranger here who got my name from the DNCC donation list. He's hosting a party Thursday night. While I can't attend due to poor health right now, we made arrangements for me to begin work at home on the computer and phones. I should be much better in a few weeks and will start knocking on doors, hosting parties, lining up folks to drive to the polls on 11/4 etc.

It felt soooo good to finally talk to a fellow Dem who is getting involved. I told him I'm afraid to put an Obama sign in my yard since a neighbor put a Kerry sign up in 04 and someone poisoned his dog. I live alone on 6 acres and have 3 of them in my fenced yard.

We'll turn this rural hamlet blue one day - hopefully soon!

[Avalux]

28. Content of the speech was good, delivery blah.

Public speaking is not his forte, but he'll be OK in the Senate.

[eshfemme]

29. The Obama keynote was to blame for the boredom I felt but under ordinary standards, he gave a solid

speech. It just wasn't comparable to Obama's, that's all.

[BklynChick]

30. The content was good but the delivery put me to sleep. But the fact that he was center stage will

help his Senate bid tremendously.

[DFW]

33. I have seen him and Sibelius speak before

He is just a bland speaker. He's smart and has his heart in the right place,
but just isn't a rousing speaker. Sibelius was a surprise, though. I've seen
her speak before, and this was like Sominex.

I must say, having Schweitzer give the keynote speech would have been the better
move, but that's 20-20 hindsight.

[smiley_glad_hands]

34. Will you haters still be bored with him when he wins in November?

[Virginia Dare]

43. I have no idea why Mark Warner was chosen to make the keynote..

he's NEVER been known for dynamic speaking style. He was a fantastic Governor, will be a good Senator, and I think he'd probably even make a good President.

FWIW, I know people who have met him personally, and they say he is much better in person than on stage. I think he's a basically a good solid moderate Dem.

[OwnedByFerrets]

45. The only thing worse than his speech last nite was the ending

prayer.

[cbc5g]

54. He wasn't speaking to the liberal base looking for a rockstar performance

He was speaking to the rural people that Democrats have trouble with. You know, those people that come and tow your car when your car breaks down on a rural road? Yeah, those folks. The folks that will make Warner win in a landslide in Virginia and can possibly help Obama win as well.

[LSK]

64. I think the GOP could not find a good opponent and has basically given up on that race

[ecstatic]

65. I caught some distasteful snippits

He was minimizing the difference between liberals and conservatives, and he bragged about getting rich off the cell phone industry in the sound bites I heard.
:shrug:

[Wetzelbill]

69. He did ok, just a bad spot to make a speech like that

You have to remember, he followed Obama as keynote speaker, no way could he top that. Then he went on a little bit before Brian Schweitzer rocked the house, compared to that he looked dull. Then, of course, he was appearing the same night as Hillary, he can't compare to her. And she went out and made the speech of her life, too. So he was what the ancient Etruscans might call "a little bit screwn" all around.

All in all, he said some good things, he did well for himself, it was a little wishy-washy, and his delivery was somewhat flat, but he was fine. He'll make an excellent senator and someday make a solid run at the presidency.

[TheWraith]

72. I thought he did well. A little too stiff, but hey, you can get away with that in the Senate. nt