Mark Warner for Senate 2008
By: The Grey Havens
Published On: 9/12/2007 12:56:09 AM
It's no secret, but the whispers are rising to the level of a great roar. Governor Warner will rise for the Senate seat newly vacated by retiring Senator John Warner.
The Virginia Pilot reports:
Former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, is widely expected to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, pledging to bring a spirit of bipartisanship to Washington.
Warner, in around-the-clock meetings and phone calls with political advisers in recent weeks, has been weighing whether to run for the Senate seat being vacated next year by longtime Republican incumbent John Warner, or wait until 2009 and run again for governor.
One strategist who asked not to be identified said Warner has put out word to a few that he has decided on the Senate. Many others said Warner had indicated in conversations with them in recent days that he is leaning heavily toward the Senate.
Can you feel it!? That's the electricity of Mark Warner's presence pervading early into the 2007, 2008, and 2009 election cycles...
Thursday is the day, but sources say this is nearly a done deal. Mark Warner will run for the US Senate 2008:
"I'd be surprised if he didn't run for the Senate," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist, who said he spoke with Warner on Friday night.
One ally, who spoke with Warner on Monday, said the former governor put his chances of declaring for the Senate at "80-20."
His presence up ballot will raise all ships in 2008, helping Congressional Democrats and putting Virginia powerfully in play for the Presidential election.
Closer to home, Mark Warner's name and image, as the hallmark of Virginia Democrats, will only serve to reinforce the powerful gathering storm that is threatening to give Democrats control of the Virginia Senate, and potentially the House this year.
This is the starting gun for the Brigades of volunteers who helped elect Tim Kaine and Jim Webb in recent years. The wind is at our backs. Every electoral prize in 2007, 2008, and 2009 is within reach if we simply do what we can.
Virginia is the home of Tim Kaine, Jim Webb, and Mark Warner. There's never been a better time to be a fightin' Virginia Democrat!
Comments
I'll admit, victory means momentum (DanG - 9/12/2007 1:00:11 AM)
If we can pull off another victory in Virginia, it means momentum. If we can somehow manage to miraculously win turn VA Blue by voting for a Dem President, then we would certainly have the momentum to carry us into 2009's race (as long as we don't have an little spat between Deeds and Moran supporters).
Though I wish MarknotJohn would run for Governor, I'll do everything I can to help him be elected Senator.
Is it too late to be the first to endorse Mark Warner? (The Grey Havens - 9/12/2007 1:04:21 AM)
If not...
I wholeheartedly endorse Mark Warner for US Senate.
God Bless the Great Commonwealth of Virginia and God Bless America!!!
It's like a big, blue avalanche (Chris Guy - 9/12/2007 1:11:21 AM)
Kerrey, Warner, Shaheen....
Or maybe a Tidal WAVE! (The Grey Havens - 9/12/2007 1:18:43 AM)
Carrying Virginia (BrianDStraw - 9/12/2007 2:23:30 AM)
This would be huge for Virginia. If he ran and won it would be the first time in 38 years that Virginia has had a Democratic delegation to the senate. Additionally it would provide the opportunity elect more Democratic congressmen (ideally Davis gets the nomination and we replace him in Fairfax). Finally, it would be of great help to the Democratic nominee. Governor Warner could very well carry the nominee into office on his coattails.
2 Dem Senators from VA? (Craig - 9/12/2007 8:01:48 AM)
Wow, that hasn't happened in a pretty long while. In fact, let me check when the last time that was true.
Wow, it was in 1970, before Harry Byrd Jr changed to an Independent, and before William Spong was defeated in 1972 by William Scott.
And it's going to happen again. (Lowell - 9/12/2007 8:09:09 AM)
A Democratic governor, two Democratic Senators, a Democratic State Senate, possibly even a Democratic House of Delegates this year or in 2009. What color was Virginia again?
Did yall not get the memo (Carrington - 9/12/2007 8:17:53 AM)
On tempering expectations? All this bloviating is setting us up for missing our own marks. Humility!!
What's wrong with a little excitement (Lowell - 9/12/2007 8:29:26 AM)
for a change? Believe me, we're all going to work hard for Mark Warner. For now, it's time to celebrate! :)
Celebrating is good... (Carrington - 9/12/2007 8:32:41 AM)
And you're right, it is exciting. I just don't care for "foregone conclusion" talk accompanied by massive blue tidal waves...makes me nervous.
Well, nothing 's a "foregone conclusion" in life (Lowell - 9/12/2007 8:44:06 AM)
which is why we're all going to fight hard for Mark Warner in 2008. But don't get nervous...be happy that Virginia is changing in the direction of progress, responsible government, modernity and competence. After years of Republican misrule, it's nice for a change, I'd say!
Wingnuts preparing for disaster (The Grey Havens - 9/12/2007 11:44:46 AM)
Over at wingnut central [
Townhall blog], they're predicting Republican "disaster in Virginia".
Apparently the only one who might be able to save the Gerrymandered (geriatric?) Old Party in Virginia is Eric Cantor. Why? Apparently he'd be "relentless" against Mark Warner, and also because nobody's polled him vs. Warner.
When you're putting all of your faith in the unknown, your movement is officially out of ideas.
Run, Eric, Run (Ron1 - 9/12/2007 12:20:48 PM)
Cantor is a loony tune. While VA-7 might be a very long shot even in an open seat, if Davis decides not to vacate his House seat, seeing Cantor in the race would be a great second prize.
And Tom Davis is going down next year, one way or the other, hopefully hand-in-hand with Frank Wolf. I pledge to do whatever I can to make both those things happen.
Cantor makes no sense (Chris Guy - 9/12/2007 4:52:40 PM)
He's in a safe district and is one of his party's leaders in the House. Throwing that away for a longshot Senate bid? Keep looking wingnuts.
Awesome----Tom Davis says,"Say it isn't so"...... (bladerunner - 9/12/2007 11:55:37 AM)
I guess ole Tommy will stay in his current position....there's no way he could touch Marky around the state. I even disagree with those who say Davis would do well against Mark in No Va.
From AP, this just in: (mkfox - 9/12/2007 4:11:52 PM)
Democratic officials speaking on anonymity said Mark will run for the Senate seat! (If I could find a link I'd post it here)
Link: (Chris Guy - 9/12/2007 4:55:55 PM)
click here
Also says it'll be an email announcement.
Just imagine....2 Democratic Senators from Virginia !!! (Dianne - 9/12/2007 5:09:26 PM)
Now we can really start talking about '08!