Recently, with good reason there has been a lot of speculation on what exactly Governor Mark Warner will do in 2008 or 2009.
A few weeks ago most of the press picked up the story that something was floating around about Mark Warner jumping back in the Presidential race.
Of course that story was just hearsay. Again here recently on Raising Kaine I read Vivian Paige wrote that Mark Warner wont be a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2008.
Although he won't remember, in the final GOTV rally he and Governor Tim Kaine held for Jim Webb before the election I asked him if he was thinking about running for Senate in 2008.
I didn't get a verbal reply, but a nice grin and smile when I presented the notion.
No one can confirm exactly what Mark Warner will do, but he has made it clear that he has many more campaigns left in him.
Here is what Warner spokesman Lars Anderson said when asked by the AP about Warner's VP ambitions:
"He still wants to be part of fixing America's problems," Anderson said. "He's looking at several different options for connecting the dots between things like fixing the nation's health care system, global warming, national security (and) job creation."
Several different options? Sounds like Mark Warner is still trying to decide how he can best contribute to this country and our future.
I believe serving in the U.S. Senate for Virginia is a great way to continue his dedicated service to this country and this commonwealth.
So I will ask you fellow Virginians to join me and help start this draft movement to urge Governor Mark Warner that we are still behind him and we want him to represent us in Washington.
Sign the petition. Let Mark Warner know how you feel.
I think he would be a great for Senator or Governor (part2).
I do like Warner a lot, and I want to see him back in Govt..... but I'd almost rather have him in the VA Gov'ship than Senate. In '08, we will have 51+ Senate D's, I think that's vritually a given at this point. I could care less about J Warner going back or not, until 08 he is effectively neutered, and if he is reelected in 08, he'll stdill be in the minority.
If Warner doesn't run for Gov in 09, who will? I like Leslie Byrne, but Va showed itself unready for her in 05. I like Creigh Deeds, but he couldn't muster enough to win attorney gen in 05, and his name isn't in the media (Outside RK).
I don't know about you all, but if Warner isn't running for Prez in 08, I'd rather see him as Gov in 09. Put Webb in for VP in 08 (with Obama) and let Kaine pick the new Senator (Deeds or Byrne or Beyer?) and then let Warner be Gov again in 09.....
I love Warner, but he's destined to run for Governor again in 2009, or test the waters and see if anyone picks at him as a #2 on an '08 ticket.
A lot of people are coy about their intentions of futures offices. However, this draft is intended to convince Mark Warner that we want him to run for US Senate.
I think the people deserve a voice in this matter, if we want him to represent us I think that says a lot about the impact he has in Virginia.
Honestly though, look at the situation before throwing a popular ex-gov. into any open or semi-contestable political office. Warner's abilities would be wasted in the Senate for the most pat. His rise to political excellence came from making executive decisions, and should continue there be it in Richmond in '09 or as Veep '08.
Why? Because he's...Intelligent, Compassionate, Rational, Visonary, Progressive, Pragmatic, Egalitarian, Leader, Loyal, and Moral
If MW wants to run for Governor in '09, I hope Brian Moran or Creigh Deeds focus their attention elsewhere. I think Deeds would be a great candidate for Senator. Brian could go for Lt. Governor or AG.