Warner has bone fide qualifications for President (unlike the other Senators running for President today), having been voted Governor of "one of the best run states" by Wall St., etc. Virginia, like New York and California, is also an "initiative state" - that is, a voice that is listened to when it speaks. But more important, Mark Warner has awakened the paradigm of what I've been calling in my articles all this past year the "new Democrats." That is, a "Democratic Party with management characteristics" - and one which seeks consensus across party lines (and across class and ethnic lines) rather than contention. As he said about a party polarizing itself on issues last year in Iowa, "97% of what I do is management." This is really the same "post-partisan" politics being popularized today and credited to Arnold Schwarzenegger today, but Warner created the model. My NH Governor John Lynch was recently reelected with 80% of the vote in the exact same model (in a red, conservative state) using the form which Warner pioneered. Last summer when I talked to Lynch at a local event, he couldn't wait to greet Warner up here.

Furthermore, the Warner model is the future of the Democratic Party and the country. As a Senator, Warner can model this new direction on a national scale, and if he so decides, he can run for President from there (he has already qualified as Governor). I am sure he would be a great Governor again but would only have a local voice. The country needs him now. And Jim Webb and Mark Warner. Wow. The century begins in Virginia.

This will probably scare off John Warner from seeking re-election. Ha!

Mark Warner would run.  So, Mark Warner vs. Tom Davis in 2008?  I like those odds... :)

We could start sending him letters of encouragement and start a petition (like was done with Webb).

Our own Eric just did one this morning on the transportation monstrosity bill.  You could also contact Warner's Forward Together PAC.

It might be easier to start an online petition rather than having folks send correspondence through the mail - does anyone have the capabilities of creating a website for this?  I think the one to draft gore is a pretty good model and it would be easy to direct people to it.  Check it out at www.draftgore.com.

If Mark decides to run, John Warner will gracefully decide to step out of the picture and retire quietly.  He knows that he can't beat Mark Warner now, not after his 80% approved governorship.  John Warner has always won because he's done well in NoVA.  Mark would beat him there, and probably in the Ninth and Second as well.

And if John Warner retires, Tom Davis will run.  And I bet that Mark actually beats him in the 11th.  Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can beat Mark Warner in this state.  Against Davis and John both, Mark wins the 11th, 10th, 8th, 3rd, 9th, 1st, and 2nd. Hell, maybe he even wins the 5th. 

While Mark Warner is sweeping the state, maybe his coattails will help sweep out the Virgil Goodes and Eric Cantors as well?  Yeah, I know, a nice dream... :)

Unless Al Weed stops running and/or there is a candidate with broad 5th district appeal (gasp, outside of charlottesville!) Mark Warner's coattails won't do too much to oust Virgil.

Chuck Schumer becomes my third favorite Senator (after Webb and Warner obviously).

It's on my sig line! Draft Mark Warner for U.S. Senate!!!

This story shocked the hell out of me.  I am shocked that Warner is actually considering running for the Senate.  I mean, I see this guy as an executive, not a senator.  The senate sucks to be honest.  Mark Warner doesnt suck.  It doesnt seem to fit his personality.  But what do I know?