Oh.  My.  GOD.

HOLY

FREAKING

HELL!!!

i actually did a lot of design work for draftmarkwarner.com, designing the bumper stickers, buttons, web site graphics, etc...

can you let me know if you had one of my stickers?

thanks

jen

the stuff i designed was on the cafepress.com/draftmwarner

--Mark Warner For Senate.--

He and Webb would be great representing VA together. And, whether or not John decides to retire, his last name will do wonders.  ;)

Or perhaps he's thinking he'd rather go for Senator Warner's seat in two years before trying a presidential run?

We'll see in a short while...

Or perhaps he's thinking he'd rather go for Senator Warner's seat in two years

Then welcome to:

Mark Warner - Tom Davis's Worst Nightmare!!

Nine months ago, I left the office of Governor in Virginia. I was immensely proud of what we had accomplished. We faced historic challenges and got real results.

Upon leaving office, I committed all my time and energy to Forward Together because we need a new direction in America.

Everywhere I’ve traveled, I found hope that we could turn this country around. That Americans are looking for leaders who at this moment of enormous challenge for our country can actually bring us together and get things done.

I’ve heard that regardless of the depth of dismay at the direction President Bush has taken our country, rank and file Democrats are energized, and want ours to be a party of hope, not of anger.

I am especially proud of the work we’ve done in supporting those kinds of candidates throughout America.

We got a lot done.

Forward Together has contributed more money this year to Democratic candidates and party organizations than any other federal leadership PAC. Our effort raised over $9 million.

I headlined 86 events in 25 states to help raise or directly donate $7.3 million to Democrats this cycle.

And our work is not done—especially at home in Virginia, where I continue to work to help Jim Webb win.

But this has also been another kind of journey—one that would lead to a decision as to whether I would seek the Democratic nomination for President.

Late last year, I said to Lisa and my girls, “Let’s go down this path and make a decision around Election Day.”

But there were hiring decisions and people who’ve put their lives on hold waiting to join this effort.

So about a month ago, I told my family and people who know me best that I would make a final decision after Columbus Day weekend, which I was spending with my family. After 67 trips to 28 states and five foreign countries, I have made that decision.

I have decided not to run for President.

This past weekend, my family and I went to Connecticut to celebrate my Dad’s 81st birthday, and then we took my oldest daughter Madison to start looking at colleges.

I know these moments are never going to come again. This weekend made clear what I’d been thinking about for many weeks—that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge—at this point, I want to have a real life.

And while the chance may never come again, I shouldn’t move forward unless I’m willing to put everything else in my life on the back burner.

This has been a difficult decision, but for me, it’s the right decision.

It’s not a decision I have easily reached. I made it after a lot of discussion with my family and a few close friends, and ultimately a lot of reflection, prayer, and soul-searching.

Let me also tell you what were not the reasons for my decision.

This is not a choice that was made based on whether I would win or lose. I can say with complete conviction that—15 months out from the first nomination contests—I feel we would have had as good a shot to be successful as any potential candidate in the field.

As for my family, Lisa and our three girls have always had a healthy amount of skepticism, but would have been willing to buckle down and support the effort. I love them all and appreciate their faith in me.

So what’s next?

First, I know that many friends, staff and supporters who have been so generous with time, ideas, energy, and financial support will be disappointed.

My decision does not in any way diminish my desire to be active in getting our country fixed. It doesn’t mean that I won’t run for public office again.

I want to serve, whether in elective office or in some other way. I’m still excited about the possibilities for the future.

In the short-term, I am going to do everything I can do make sure Democrats win in 2006. It’s an exciting year to be a Democrat. I leave shortly to go to Iowa to support folks running for state and congressional office. Hope they are still excited to see me.

I want to thank the thousands of Americans who have donated to Forward Together, hosted me in their homes, shared their ideas, and given me encouragement.

I also want to thank all of the staff and key advisors at Forward Together who have created a great organization. If we had chosen to go forward, I know they had the skills, talent, and dedication to take us all the way.

And finally, as I have traveled the country, I have been amazed at what pent-up positive energy for change exists.

In my speeches, I always acknowledge that what disappoints me most about this administration in Washington is that with all the challenges we face . . . and the tragedies we have experienced, from 9-11 to Katrina . . . that the President has never rallied the American people to come together, to step up, to ask Americans to be part of the solution.

I think a number of our party’s potential candidates understand that. I think, in fact, we have a strong field. A field of good people. I think they’re all hearing what I heard: that Americans are ready to do their part to get our country fixed. I wish them all well.

And I want to say thanks to all who’ve been part of this effort.

Mark Warner

P.S. You can use this page on the Forward Together site to write to me: http://www.forwardto...

Hillary is going to have all of those high priced consultants that are paid millions to convince their candidates to stop being themselves.  Kerry knows not to make that mistake again, and his authenticity will be quite attractive to many Democrats looking for change.

Pretty broad brush there. 

Ahhh, if only.

Kerry disavowed his vote a year ago.  Given the Downing Street Memo and other evidence, it is rather obvious now that Bush was going to go to war no matter what, regardless of U.N. weapons inspections or real evidence of WMD.

I like Clark, and wouldn't mind seeing him in a VP position. 

He backed Webb during the primary and they both got over a bitterness between the 2 of them because its not just about them, but what is right for the country.

He did not back Lieberman during the primary and then it was well you backed Webb. His answer, Joe is out for Joe and not what is right for the country.

I am onboard for a Kerry '08, IMO no one else comes close.

Hillary and Kerry have NOTHING in common.  Kerry got more votes in American history except for Bush.  He has a LOT of support, and there are also many having buyer's remorse, now that they've discovered Kerry was right about everything -- from his criticisms of Bush on the Iraq War to privatising social security (he said Bush would try to do it, and he did) to Bush's failed policy for North Korea to the fact that the war in terror, although sometimes involving the military is largely an intelligence gathering and law enforcement war (George Will gave him credit for that).

Stay tuned . . . and take a listen to what he has to say.  It is quite compelling.

Hmmmm . . .whose finger do you want on the button?  The person who can't control his temper or the person who had to calm him down?

This would set him up nicely for a run in 2012. Plus it is almost impossible to run for president as Senator, there are too many nested votes for the opposition to exploit. No sitting Senator has been elected President since JFK.

Daily Press: http://www.dailypres...

Still, he'd be great as VP!

ARGH!

I had just heard him speak at the Kennedy-King Dinner in Alexandria a few weeks ago and he really inspired and moved me, and I was ready to go gangbusters for him.

I am CRUSHED.

I'm going to sound very sexist here but I have to say it.  The men have been in charge these past two hundred years, they started out with a perfectly good democracy and they have f*cked it up royaly. I'm sick of the fact that being a white male is an instant avantage.  What have they done to earn that advantage? We don't have a goverment 'for the people and by the people'...it is about money and power and corrupt at every level. Enough! 

A better ticket might be Clinton/Obama, but I'm realistic and I can be patient.

P.S.  One of the reasons I support Jim Webb is because he hasn't been through the meat grinder yet.  He is honest and true and I'd like to keep him that way!

Of course, this development is consistent with Bwana's Champions Theory of Conventions (http://renaissanceru...) and works well for any nominating process.

Edwards, well. he goes to Iowa and New Hampshire alot.

At least we know he's got a ground game going..

but Clark got's the gravitas, message, heart, vision, and.. does anyone remember the overnight surge of endorsements for Clark (who entered very late).

I'd be suprised if Edwards got more endorsements than Clark when all of this begins.

And, I think Mark Warner dropping out changes EVERYTHING.. don't count Al Gore out anymore.

And, expect announcements earlier. perhaps right after the election.

My Kos sig is still "Warner - Clark '08 Republican Nightmare Ticket."

Thats my laugh out loud moment!!!  two years is a huge amount of time ....... but in the long run, just a blink

Worry about Hillary,Gore,Edwards,Obama,Kerry and Clark after that.

Salute to Warner !!!

Go Jim Webb !!!

Good guy, not a good presidential candidate.

I have no problem with the General, I like him just fine, but the more I see his supporters out bashing other good Dems turns my stomach. Especially last night while John was live blogging at Daily Kos, it was the Clark supporters being rude.

Why?  'splain to Lucy ?  Thank you :)

It's personal, for sure. But what? a scandal or a change of heart?

And, omg. John Edwards. What can he bring to the table? He can't win his home state!

That's embarassing.

At least Mark Warner would have most likely been able to carry Virginia and made us stronger in the heartland.

Everyone is saying, Edwards can pick up that.

Wtf? Yeah, he sure did a great job of that last time around!

I like Clark, but of course now H. Clinton is the frontrunner with almost no one strong enough to oppose her.

I'll have to go with Wes Clark after this. I still hope if Clark wins the nomination, he picks Warner as VP.

Mark is young.  Where do you go from the presidency?  Mark is great, but he doesn't have the rock star quality that Bill Clinton has.  It would be hard for him to stay relevant and he has too much to offer to fade into formerpresidentdom. 

Now, I am no longer talking about this bc we have an election for Senate in 27 days.

Draft Mark Warner Response to Announcement that Gov. Mark Warner Has Decided to Not Run for President

October 12th, 2006—Nearly two years ago, Draft Mark Warner began a quest to convince Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.  Since

that time, Warner supporters from across the nation have been engaged in building support for a Warner candidacy.

We started this effort because America is on the wrong path and the nation is looking for someone to step up and lead.  Gov. Warner is the “Mark” of Leadership.

Draft Mark Warner supporters continue to believe Gov. Warner is the right man, with the right message, at the right time.  Today’s announcement does not change that reality.  He was not a candidate for president when this effort began.  His supporters will not not vanish.  We will continue to urge a change of direction in Washington.  Gov. Warner has lifted the bar for those who will run in 2008.

Partisan division is a destructive force in this nation.  Gov. Warner has the support of the vast majority of Virginians, including many Republicans.  He has made countless new friends nationwide, as have we.  Those of us who have benefited from his gifted talents will continue to support him as he charts his future. It has been a privilege.

We will continue to evaluate the sentiments of the movement and monitor the response from his followers.

As far as the battle in 2008, it can only be Edwards with Governor Warner no longer seeking the office.

Today is a very disappointing day.