Gov. Warner, How much time do you expect to spend with Jim Webb on the campaign trail between now and November?

We're going to events all across Virginia on Labor Day. I also will be hosting a fundraiser for the Webb campaign in September. And I'm anxious to do more events not only for Webb but for Democrats all over the nation. In fact, this week I was in New Hampshire, campaigning for Paul Hodes, then Philadelphia, campaigning for Joe Sestak, Lois Murphy, and Patrick Murphy. I then went to Ohio, campaigning for ted Strickland, and then Illinois, Michigan... you get the point.

...and for live blogging in support of Jim Webb.  Needless to say - but I'll say it anyway - it is greatly appreciated.

Now, a question. Last year, the big issues in the Virginia governors' race were transportation, land-use planning, immigration, taxes, and a few others.  What do you think the big issues will be this year in the Senate and Congressional races, and next year in the General Assembly races here in Virginia.

Thanks again.

Lowell

The big issues in the Senate and Congressional races in Virginia and across the U.S. are: restoring America's stature in the world, ensuring we have a plan to get out of Iraq that doesn't leave it a haven for al Qaeda and Iranian expansionism, connecting the dots between energy policy, American security, Global Warming -- and if we could lead in the development of alternative energy solutions it could be the same kind of economic engine for American job creation that IT and telecom have been for the last 20 years.

I also believe that we've got to have a national competitiveness strategy that links education, health care, intellectual capital creation, and fair trade. To do this, we've got to get our fiscal house in order so that we can make these investments.

In Virginia, the challenge will be whether the coalitions that Gov. Kaine and I built, that has led to Virginia to be named the best managed state by Governing magazine, and to be recognized by Forbes as the best place in the country to build new business, will continue. Or whether the factions in the Republican party that simply say no to any solution or to play the politics of division and fear -- the "anti-crowd" -- will keep Virginia from making progress on things like transportation, continued education reform, Chesapeake Bay, and continuing to bring hope and jobs to rural communities.

And spending the time to liveblog for Jim.

I had a great time meeting you and hearing you at YearlyKos which leads to my question.

Why do you think the netroots are supporting you and Jim Webb so strongly this year?

I think folks in the netroots want leaders who understand that it isn't so much left vs right as it is future vs past. I spent 20 years in technology and I don't say I understand all the changes sweeping through our world, but at least I see that they're coming and I'm not afraid of these changes.

The netroots are the leading edge of political change in this country. For Jim Webb, his success has been in many ways due to his success at tapping into the energy of the netroots. You guys spotted an independent leader and put your energies behind his candidacy.

I also think most netroots folks want to see leaders who are clear, focused on results, and have a proven track record.

I met you at the Equality Virginia dinner a year ago in Richmond, VA.  I thought that was quite a night and thank you sincerely for coming out and lending your support.

Then a year later, I met Jim Webb at this year's EV dinner. He was sitting at our hosted table. That was all it took; we talked ever so briefly and I have been a big supportive fan here in Arlington, Va.

Do you think the Marriage Amendment is politics at its worse?

http://www.abc.net.a...

The SA cabinet just approved a bill, about to go to the legislature.  SA's highest court mandated this.

I don't think we need to put a ban on same-sex marriage in our constitution. It's already the law in Virginia.

Thanks for dropping by to live blog in RK. 

Given Jim Webb's background he should have a strong appeal to military conservatives and moderate conservatives.  But the recent SurveyUSA poll showed very little support for Webb from (self-proclaimed) conservatives or Republicans.

What do you think the key is for Webb to win over greater support from these groups?

As a former VCU student, the most surprising thing that ever happened involving you, was to be talking with my friends at the Hyper Link Cafe, and have you come mingle with all of us students, chatting us up, that was really cool, hopefully more governor's are as friendly as you.  I worked for Tim Kaine a little before I finished at VCU, and he seemed like a nice guy too. 

Please come and campaign for Jim Webb this fall, and help us kick that simpleton Allen out of office, we need a senator with both class and the brains to run the job.  Not someone who won cuz his dad's a great football coach.

I hope you will lean on your national Dem friends to make sure the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee gives Jim his due.

---a parent of a brown-skinned Virginia child who just got 600/600 in her Virginia History SOLs and 598/600 in Math.  I predice she'll be as smart as Sidarth.

And my question is...

Is there anyway you could lobby here in Northern Virginia for more funds for the proposed Tyson's/Dulles Corridor Metro Line, I'm really afraid its going to fall through the cracks because certain congressmen are afraid of the high-density (read: future democratic voters) that it will produce.

Like Congressman "ViennaWest" Davis?

Poor Tom & Jeannmarie!

Gov. Warner,

In light of the recent news about Virginia being named the best state for business, as well as one of the best managed states in the nation, largely as a result of some of the difficult choices you had to make as Governor, your stature seems to continue ascending nationally.  As a Virginian, I was originally hesitant to embrace the idea of you running for President.  Now, I am fully supportive, because I truely believe Virginia Democrats can bring some sorely needed pragmatism into the national party, and I feel that you would make a remarkable leader nationally, as you're very good at cleaning up major messes left by your predecessor (if you did it with Gilmore you can do it with Bush, right?).

Question:  Given your rising stature, and your national travels and fundraising for folks all over the place (like Bill Winter in Colorado--my Mom's congressional district!), how long can you afford to continue raising money for others before you need to focus completely on raising it for your own Presidential campaign?  Have you started a Presidential campaign fund?

You may think it's a political risk, but it's the right thing to do, and in fact, I'd argue it will motivate LOTS of young voters.  Lots of those young voters will vote for you in '08!

it goes after gays and straights alike. Don't even think of living together no matter what your sexual orientation is.

It is a terrible piece of legislation but sorry to say it may pass.

A gay couple in Loudon had their entire yard trashed by local neighbors who scrolled anti-gay slogans on their sidewalk and tore out 160 trees and bushes from their yard.

They did it because they felt that gay people are a subclass and that they can get away with it, drive them out of "our" neighborhoods.

This is what the marriage amendment is teaching people at this point, a wedge issue for the right wing.

If people are educated about what the amendment says, in addition to a LITTLE on what it may very well mean, I think it COULD fail to pass.  That is why we need leaders like Mark and Tim and Jim to speak out against it.

Governor - I'm a big supporter of everything you've done thus far and will be onboard should you take it to the next level.

My question is inspired by Bill Clinton's call for 100,000 more cops on the street in '92.

Would you support a similar call for 100,000 more "anti-terror agents" - something like the air marshall but trained in terror deterrence on land, sea, and air - and deployed at the sensitive spots like ports, mass transport, federal buildings, etc.?

I'm going to be at George Mason Univerity addressing Homeland Security in early September. I was the first Governor elected after 9/11 and Homeland Security was something I actually had to grapple with everyday as Governor.
I do think a revised COPS type program that focuses on preventing terrorism and intelligence sharing has a lot of merit and I'll have more to say on Sept. 5.

Governor Warner:

1)There seems to be an ongoing shift for funding nearly all domestic spending from the Federal Government to the States. States have very uneven economies to respond to this. What do you think is the best thing to do about this?

2)What do you consider key to creating some bi-partisan cooperation in Congress?

I have met you numerous times in richmond Va, where I live.  I work for and attend graduate classes at VCU.  I was wondering - do you agree that VCU has made a very large impact on the city and its growth?  If I am correct, I believe the school played a very big part in the Carver area, as well as helping to build homes for needy residents.  Follow up, what more would you like to see as Richmond city and VCU collaborations?

Governor:

I hope your schedule will permit you to attend our Peninsula Jefferson Jackson event hosted by Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County Democratic Committees.

We are expecting a huge crowd on Octover 7th at the Hampton Roads convention Center in Hampton.

Kelly is aware of the event and it is on your radar. This is an great opportunity to help 3 candidate for the House and Jim Webb in one stop!!!!!

www.PeninsulaJJ.org

Charlie Stanton
NNDCC Co-Chair

As a huge supporter, and already a Warner 2008 fan, I'd like to know when you would plan to announce a Presidential run (if you do, in fact, to decide to go for it).

Thanks for spending some time here, and I hope to see you at a victory party for Webb this fall, and another one of your own in a few years...

(this is also crossposted on the thread at dailykos):

You are to be congratulated and thanked for all the efforts you have done to raise money and visibility for Democrats across the country.

It is of course crucial that we do all we can to help Jim Webb, and also the House candidates this cycle in our own Old Dominion.  But we have a real chance to to make major movement in both the House and the Senate, and in governors' races, in other statewide races, in state legislatures.  Your willingness to participate in efforts like Tom Vilsack's Heartland Pac and in your fundraising across the country are an important part of the effort.

Thanks for all that you do.

Thanks for reminding Virginians how nice it is to have a responsible governement.

First, thank you Gov. Warner -- I am actually one of your hard-working behind the scenes volunteers.

I am working for the draftmarkwarner.com campaign and my question is two-fold...

#1: have you had a chance to see the items I've designed to help promote you for president on cafepress? We have buttons, stickers, shirts, magnets, etc.  I would be so honored if you wore 1 of the buttons I designed.

but more importantly, if you do run and win in 08 -- can you please tell me how you will address gitmo and all of the prisoners there?

will you demand a review of each and every case and a trial in public court for any suspected terrorists that have sufficient and lawfully obtained evidence against them or will you continue to hold them indefinitely with the continued interrogation processes the Bush administration has used?

Here is the cafepress store for Draft Mark Warner

http://www.cafepress...

fancy meeting you here.

Also check out the website at www.draftmarkwarner.com

This is like a meeting of the old Loudoun Committee from 2002!

Thought that might be you. LOL

Sho' 'Nuff!

Recently Governor Kaine made statements about taking both houses in next years HOD and Senate races here in Virginia. Some see that as a bold statement.

In the 2005 cycle you certainly worked to get some elected, including an independent while others, outside of NoVA and the  Eastern Shore were left to tread water on their own. If given the chance to do over, would you have distributed funds differently?

Hi Governor Warner (I'm your biggest fan, as cheesy as it sounds :)) Anyway, i have 3 questions.

Clearly Jim Webb has caught the eye DSCC but they haven’t really gotten involved yet (they aren’t investing any big cash in Virginia's race). Do you think they will be rethinking that position now that Webb has gained so much ground in the polls?

You worked with Senator Allen for 4 years, what is you impression of his leadership abilities compared to, say... Senator Warner?

And (off topic)... Do you think that the $137 million accounting error is a one time problem, or does the GA need more oversight over the budgeting and accounting process?

Don't forget to put West Virginia on your travel list. We have several candidates that could use your help and expertise here.

Thanks for the questions and for all you're doing for Virginia candidates.

I've got to head out -- there's a guy in the lobby who's writing a book on how Democrats can close the "culture gap" -- especially with rural Americans.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Little Rock, Monday and Tuesday in Iowa. After that a series of events in Virginia -- the Partisans Picnic on Friday, August 31 in Arlington, the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade, the Covington Parade, Bobby Scott's annual picnic in Newport News and more events to come.

Watch the Forward Together web site for details and I look forward to seeing y'all on the trail.