I just saw Hillary Clinton, once again, kowtow to Silicon valley executives promising to enable their offshore outsourcing and insourcing cheap labor agenda with the added outrage of calling that innovation.  There is absolutely nothing innovative about screwing over workers and in fact that's a death sentence to innovation.

John Warner -- a great man and true statesman, and a great native Virginian.

  T.C.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR KAINE

~ On the announcement of the retirement of U.S. Sen. John Warner ~

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement today after U.S. Senator John Warner announced he will retire in 2009, at the conclusion of his current term:

"Senator Warner is a good friend, a great Virginian, and a true statesman. He has been a strong and reliable partner to my administration, and all Virginians should honor his distinguished leadership for our Commonwealth and nation. Over the next 16 months, I will continue to seek Senator Warner's wise counsel and able assistance."

Classy.

Thank you for your service, Sen. Warner, and I hope that in your remaining time, you find a way to help save the military you have always praised and supported from continuing to be destroyed by the unmitigated disaster in Iraq.

Tom Davis is No John Warner

With John Warner's retirement plans sending Virginia Republicans into a scramble to replace him, the Democratic Party of Virginia is launching a new series today which examines whether or not some of the leading Republican candidates are worthy of filling the shoes of a Senator who was known to put Virginia families and progress for America ahead of extreme partisanship.

Today we look at Tom Davis' record on the minimum wage.

While John Warner worked across party lines this year on behalf of working families, Tom Davis chose to tow the party line and vote in lock-step with Washington Republicans.

When it comes to helping working families, Tom Davis is no John Warner.

The Facts:

Senator Warner Supports Raising the Minimum Wage. Sen. John Warner voted for the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, which will give Virginia workers a $2.10 pay raise over the next two years. (Vote 42, H.R.2, 2/1/07; Vote 181, H.R. 2206, 5/24/07)

Representative Davis Rejects a Raise for Hardworking Virginians. Tom Davis voted against raising the minimum wage. (Vote 18, H.R. 2, 1/10/07; Vote 424, H.R. 2206, 5/24/07)

Coming Next Week: A Look at Jim Gilmore

Statement of Sen. Creigh Deeds on the Retirement of U.S. Sen. John Warner

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - In response to the announcement by John Warner that he will not seek reelection to the United States Senate, Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds released the following statement:

John Warner's service to the Commonwealth and the country was defined not by political party or ideology, but by dedication to the welfare of his constituents and the prosperity of our nation. Virginia is a better place because of his leadership in the United States Senate. His wisdom, honesty and integrity during these challenging times will be missed.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran statement on Senator John Warner announcement

Alexandria, VA---House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran made the following statement after US Senator John Warner announced he will not seek reelection to the US Senate.

"Senator Warner has been a dedicated public servant spanning nearly three decades. His record of accomplishments and of service is second to none. He has served in the best tradition of a Virginia statesman. We need more leaders like Senator Warner and he will be sorely missed."

DPVA Chairman C. Richard Cranwell on Sen. John Warner's Retirement Announcement

Richmond- Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman C. Richard Cranwell released the following statement upon Sen. John Warner's retirement announcement:

"I have known John Warner for most of my political career.  During that time he has served Virginia and the country with honor, bipartisanship and respect for the traditions of office.  It will be incumbent on whoever replaces him to demonstrate many of these same qualities.

"Whether standing up to the President on Iraq or supporting Governor Warner's budget reform in 2004, John Warner often put principle before party - a quality sadly lacking in too many Virginia Republican leaders today. His election, like the elections of Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and Jim Webb, demonstrates that Virginians want leaders who will reach across party lines and work together to get things done.

"As we look to 2008, Virginia Democrats are energized and excited about this race.  We have any number of strong candidates who, like both John Warner and Jim Webb, recognize that we need to change this administration's disastrous Iraq policies and work together on a host of issues to keep moving Virginia and America forward." 

He paroused the crowd afterwords and told me he believed in protecting our mountains when he was thanked for his services. Lip service only, but hopefully he'll leave a legacy of opposing the complete destruction of SWVA through mountaintop removal coal-mining.

Overall, seemed like a classy guy, especially when you're used to Virginia Foxx or Richard Burr.

peace,
JW

Webb: "Warner will Remain a Strong Voice in the Senate and in Virginia in the Years to Come"

Washington, DC-Senator Jim Webb today responded to Senator Warner's decision to retire from the U.S. Senate:

"John Warner's decision to retire from the Senate will cause this body to lose one of the great voices on behalf of our men and women in uniform and also a strong advocate for the people of Virginia.  At a time when our political climate is as partisan and divisive as ever, John Warner embodies bipartisanship, courtesy and generosity. He is the quintessential Virginia gentleman.

"Senator Warner is skilled at reaching across the aisle to forge consensus when the people of Virginia and this country are looking for leadership. He maintains an independence and clarity of thought that are all too rare in Washington.

"Thirty five years ago, I was honored to serve on his staff in the Pentagon during my last year in the Marine Corps. We both served our country as Marines-John served in Korea; I served in Vietnam. We both served as Secretary of the Navy.  And, today, we both hold seats in the U.S. Senate representing the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"While today is a bittersweet announcement for Virginia, the nation and the Senate, it bears emphasis that Senator Warner still has more than a year in office. During that time, he will continue to play a crucial role in formulating a more rational policy in Iraq. Just last week, we saw his leadership and independence on display once more. The President would do well to listen to John Warner during his last year in office."

For audio of this statement, please go to: http://demradio.sena...

Moran Statement on Retirement of Virginia Senator John Warner

Washington, D.C., August 31st - Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, delivered the following statement in response to the announced retirement of Virginia Senator John Warner.

"I have had the unique honor of serving with Senator Warner for nearly 18 years. The people of the Commonwealth of Virginia - and those across the nation - have been served with great distinction because of his unwavering commitment and dedication.  He puts our country before politics; he is a voice that reaches across all of Virginia - a voice of great integrity.  John serves this country so well because he loves it so much.

"John is a great American in the true sense of the word.  Those of us who know him learn from him, and those who have the privilege of representing Virginia respect and admire him. During the shifting partisan battles of the past thirty years, as his party veered right, he stayed steady on course, consistent with his lifelong principles and values.

"He is always a gentleman, always a statesman, and he will be greatly missed by those who served with him."

Well since he flip flops every time he opens his MOUTH as to what he thinks we need to do in Iraq, he deserves to be labeled a pseudo-moderate mouth piece for the Bush admin.

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BILL BOLLING ON THE RETIREMENT OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHN WARNER
August 31, 2007

Earlier today, United States Senator John Warner announced that he would not seek re-election when his current term of office ends in 2008.  In response to this announcement, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:

"John Warner has represented the people of Virginia with distinction in the United States Senate for the past twenty nine years.  I commend him for that service."

"While there have been times that I agreed with Senator Warner and times that I disagreed with him on policy issues, I always knew that Senator Warner would do what he thought was in the best interests of our country. That is the mark of a statesman, and John Warner is the epitome of what a public servant should be."

"As we look ahead to 2008, we will have some big shoes to fill and much work to do.  I am committed to doing everything I can to make certain that we elect a conservative candidate to represent the people of Virginia in the United States Senate."

Note that last line, "a conservative candidate" not "a Republican candidate."  Sorry, Tom! :)

Statement of Attorney General Bob McDonnell on Decision of Senator John Warner Not to Seek Reelection

Richmond- Attorney General Bob McDonnell issued the following statement regarding today's announcement by United States Senator John Warner that he will not seek reelection in 2008:

"John Warner has devoted his life to the service of Commonwealth and Country. His life has placed him at the center of historic events that have helped shape our world. As a teenager, 62 years ago, John Warner volunteered to serve in World War II, and thereafter in Korea. He is one of the few remaining veterans of World War II still serving in the United States Senate. He continued his service to our country when he was appointed by President Nixon as Undersecretary of the Navy, and then Secretary of the Navy, during the Vietnam War.

"In the summer of 1978, tragedy struck the Republican Party of Virginia with the death of Senate candidate Richard Obenshain. At a time of grief and loss, John Warner brought a devastated party together with grace, humility, and courage, and won the Senate seat he holds today. In the United States Senate he has been a leading authority on the military and foreign affairs, and a strong working partner with three different Republican Presidents. Throughout his time in Washington, Senator Warner has spoken his mind, and done what he believed best for the state and nation. While I have not always agreed with Senator Warner on certain political and policy matters, he is a Virginia gentleman, who believes in finding solutions and disagreeing amicably. He has accomplished enormous good for Virginia during his 5 terms in the U.S. Senate.

"While Virginians would have benefited from John Warner's continued service in the Senate, no one can fault the Senator for today's decision. A lifetime of public service stands as the Senator's legacy. Senator Warner will be missed, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

Much better statement than Bill Bolling's, in my opinion.

Mr. Elizabeth Taylor you were a horrible Senator...

Who is going to run for Davis's seat other than Connolly? 

After putting your right ear to to the ground, whose footsteps do you hear closing in on Connolly in this race?