Warner: Obama's Virginia Challenges Similar to My First Run

Here's the gist of what Warner had to say:

** I'm looking forward to today, to this week, to tomorrow night as well.  We cannot take our eyes off these very important congressional races, and wink the Virginia Senate race.  

** I have even more reason why it is important, because I am slowly knocking off other career options.   Last week I missed the incredible "Paint Virginia Blue" rally in the Shenandoah where over 500 people turned out to support our Democratic ticket.  I was sidelined by a basketball injury.   I have had to decide that, at 53, I can no longer play ball with 19-year-olds.  So, my over-50 NBA career, I have checked that off the list.

** I started on morning Joe at about 6am this morning, and I don't like early morning.  So that early morning talk show career is off, too.  

** I just came from a practice session at the convention hall.  Wait until you get to the hall and see where the Virginia delegation is seated.  Note:  rumor has it that Virginia is seated right behind Illinois and right next to Delaware.  

** Think where we have come in the last 8 or 9 years.  We had no statewide offices, and we had 2-to-1 minority in the Legislature.  The progress we have made, My election, electing Tim Kaine, Electing Jim Webb. In the state legislature when we took back the state center.  Virginia Democrats are on a roll.

** This year we're going to help Barack Obama win Virginia and the White House.  We're going to make Ward Armstrong the next speaker of the house in 2009 and elect a Democratic successor to Tim Kaine.

** At the end of the day, we've shown we can govern, and we know that Barack Obama can govern as well.

** At this point in our history with the enormous challenges we face.  There is nothing we cannot achieve.  These are opportunities.  We need to be willing to reach out to Virginians of all political stripes, Democrats, Independents, Republicans.  

** We need to make people not only proud to be Americans, but also proud of our government as well.

** If I can focus on good ideas, whether they have a D or an R next to them, with the help of President Obama, we'll get it done.

** When I had my first opportunity to meet so many of you working on Doug Wilder's campaign in 1998, and then in Doug Wilder's position.  And then holding Dick Cranwells position as Chair of the Virginia Democrats, I learned that anyone who holds any office local chair, statwide, any level they should get 2 things:  A guaranteed pass to heaven, and a lifetime of counseling until they get there. With your energy and resolve, Democrats, Independents and Republicans, we can win Virginia and take the White House back.

After the speech, Warner was swarmed by press.

Q:  In 2004, the keynote speaker was Barack Obama, how will your speech compare?
A:  He set the bar, really really high.  I'll be talking about Democrats and Real Results.  We need to move past partisanship, and focus on good ideas regardless of party.  

Q:  PUMAs?
A:  This it the Democratic party.  There are always differences, but we always come together.

Q:  Kaine not VP?
A:  I met with Obama last week.  I didn't raise it with him and he didn't raise it with me.  Tim would have been a great choice.  Biden is a great compliment.  He compliments Obama's strengths, skills, background.  This is a great choice.

Q:  As the keynote speaker do you think Virginia voters will think your profile has been raised too high?
A:  I'll be in Virginia next week for all of the events; Buena Vista, Newport News...  People who care about Virginia know where I stand, and I stand with Virginia.

Q: What's the biggest challenge for Obama in Virginia this election season?
There is enormous energy with the Democrats now, and the biggest challenge will be getting those votes out and getting past the distortions.  People are looking for the new leadership Obama offers and will deliver.  It's very similar to the challenges I faced when I first ran statewide.

Q:  Coal?
A:  Coal must be a part of a comprehensive energy plan that includes solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels.  We have to invest in biotech and hybrids.  Until we can get the full benefits of the new renewable technologies, we need to continue to develop our fossil resources. I'm in favor of ending the offshore drilling ban.

Q:  How long will it take to get these new technologies online and get us off of fossil fuels?
You can't turn down the opportunity to pursue the technology opportunity that arises from Carbon Sequestration.  It puts us at a huge competitive advantage against China.

Yeah, that last bit about coal and sequestration is outrageous, but as usual, Mark Warner is Good.

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