I just met Governor Mark Warner in my poli sci class...

[quisp]

He spoke to the class for an hour and, while he punted on few questions, he answered some substantative ones too.

He vented his frustrations on losing the transportation sales tax referendum.

He was coy about running for President in '08. "I could run for Senate in '06 or '08 or Governor again in '09, or maybe something else."

All in all he gave a very good talk and closed out with an appeal to stay involved and try to keep the political discourse open and respectful.

I've got a long drive now, but will check in again when I get home. If you have any questions for me ask away.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. Cool! Drive safely!

[Virginian]

2. I met him at a Kaine rally

My sign said Kaine '05, Warner '06. He autographed my sign. He said, "I like that" when he read it.

I really, really want him to retire George Allen. That smirkey faced neo-con should have never gotten a senate seat to begin with.

Can you explain, "He vented his frustrations on losing the transportation sales tax referendum." I am up here in Fairfax where transportation is a big deal. I get to Richmond sometimes where I find the roads under used. The new 288 river crossing is amazing and it is free. We drove for over a mile at mid-day without seeing another car. That is not possible here in the middle of the night.

[livinginphotographs]

3. 288 is not as nice as some think.

I live in the far West End, and have used it to get to Petersburg before. It easily adds about 20 minutes to a trip.

But speaking of Richmond-area roads, Rev Al Sharpton was late to the Jefferson Dinner last year because his car hit a pothole and they got a flat tire. The roads here may be under-used, but they certainly are a mess. I've given up getting my car's tires aligned, because within a few weeks, they're screwed up again.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. I agree about the potholes. They suck. I got to hear Mark Warner

speak at a professional women's group I used to belong to for work when he was running for governor. The subject of the speech was about the economic outlook for Virginia. I had the chance to briefly shake his hand and wish him luck. Seemed like a decent fella at the time, and thank G-d Mark Earley didn't win! He's a scary dude.

[Virginian]

7. It is a beautiful road

I have traveled up and down Route 95 since the early 1960's when you had to get off and take Route 1 between Ashland and Woodbridge. Back then, we made the trip weekly. It usually took us around 2:30 hours at first. Then, bit by bit, a new stretch would open up. When 95 was finally completed, our time went down to 1:45. Last year on Thanksgiving Saturday, it took us 5 hours.

We were traveling between Chester and Fairfax County on Easter. After previously sitting in traffic on Route 95, we decided we didn't want to go that route again on a holiday, especially this time, with the heavy rains predicted.

From Chester, we took 288 to 64, then went west on 64 until we got to 522.
That Rt. 522 is a nice straight road all the way up to where we found divided, four lane, Route 29. I wish they would at least put shoulders on 522. Even without shoulders, it makes for a much calmer trip than having to put up with all the crazy drivers on the interstate.

[Virginian]

5. Quisp, Are you at UVA?

My cousin's kid was telling us about how impressed he was with the discussion his class had with Governor Mark Warner, how he answered all their questions and some they didn't think to ask, too.

This was great for the family. This kid grew up in a red county. He attended a red church. I once heard him spit out the name Clinton like it was a bad word. His grandfather was a ditto head. That segment of the family disagrees with most of the rest of us when it comes to politics.

His nuclear family respects what this gifted kid has to say. I hope he will open the minds of his family to other Dems as well.

So in the abstract, you could say Mark Warner is helping our family to get along better.

[Catchawave]

6. Thanks for the report Quisp !

I would love for him to run against Allen in 06! We could use some Dem blood pumping in Virginny :) Though I think the Dems are going to be looking for a Southern Governor for '08, and Warner's high up on their wish-list. Also, he has no baggage, and gave up tons of money for public service. A PR dream!

So, what do you think? Presidential material? At least in my heart...an Edwards/Warner ticket in '08 !

There's a Mark Warner DU Group too !

[MsTryska]

8. I was jsut told about mark Warner today...

and i live in Georgia. But one of my coworkers who's fairly active on Capitol Hill lobbying for transportation concerns was raving about him, and said he's got what the dems need for '08.