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Mark Warner on Principles & Values

Democratic Jr Senator; previously Governor

 


End partisan gridlock; embrace common ground

Gilmore staked out strong conservative positions & Warner sought to embrace the center, including supporting gun rights in the District.

They agreed that voters have a clear choice when it comes to personality and leadership styles. Gilmore said he would be a conservative voice in the Democratic-controlled Congress.

Warner argued that he has the experience to end years of partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill and that Virginia voters are ready to embrace his philosophy of seeking common ground.

Source: Washington Post on 2008 VA Senate debate , Sep 19, 2008

It's "the future v. the past" not "liberal v. conservative"

We need leaders who see our common ground as sacred ground. We need leaders who will appeal to us not as Republicans or Democrats, but first and foremost as Americans. So why is this wisdom so hard to find in Washington? If an idea works, it really doesn't matter whether it's got a "D" or an "R" next to it, because this election this election is not about liberal versus conservative, it's not about left versus right, it's about the future versus the past.
Source: Speech at 2008 Democratic National Convention , Aug 26, 2008

Replace name-calling with bipartisan management

Is it all about partisan name calling and back and forth? Virginians want politicians who will bring people together and focus on critical issues and get results. We'll probably hear more name calling--but name calling doesn't get results.

Look at how we approached the budget when we were both governor. Jim Gilmore promised to end the car tax. But it ended up costing three times more than what he said. He used budget gimmicks, tried to hide the problem, and drove Virginia into the fiscal ditch. When I inherited the problem, which grew to a $6 billion shortfall, I leveled with the people, made the hard cuts, reformed state governments, and brought republicans and democrats together, to bring about bipartisan budge and tax reform.

Virginia became the best managed state in the nation. So if you want a senator who will work on budget and the economy and has a proven track record of results, I'd ask you to hire me and bring our country back on the right path.

Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate between Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner , Jul 19, 2008

Term-limited as governor in 2008

Warner is considered to be a potential Presidential candidate in 2008, as Virginia's laws limited him to a single consecutive term in office. Warner has been regarded by some Democrats as a Clinton-like figure around whom the party could rally in the 2008 election. His business experience, Southern base, fundraising connections within high-tech and venture capital circles, and record of working with black leaders add up to what some see as an attractive political r‚sum‚.

Having served only one term as an elected official, however, some believe that Warner may be considered too inexperienced to move to the Presidency; the same point was raised about John Edwards' one Senate term. But others maintain that his challenge would be no different than that of then Governor Clinton in 1992 who nevertheless was successful in capturing the White House.

Source: 2008 speculation in Wikipedia, "Future political career" , Jun 25, 2006

We can't win presidency in only 16 blue states

Many Democratic candidates in marginal and Republican leaning states across the country, but especially in the South, are fearful of a repeat of the 2000 and 2004 election results. Governor Warner himself has made frequent references to these sentiments with a not so thinly veiled warning to the Democratic party about nominating candidates for national office "that are only expected to win 16 blue states and then hope to win Ohio or Florida". Democratic nominees have been unable to break into a perceive Republican lock of red states throughout middle America. Some political analysts maintain that the Democratic nominee will never win the White House unless he or she significantly expands Democratic winning margins into present day Republican territory. Some believe Governor Warner's message is intended to highlight the perceived weakness in some of his potential 2008 liberal primary competitors, who many fear could easily win the Democratic Presidential primary but fail to win the general election.
Source: 2008 speculation in Wikipedia, "Future political career" , Jun 25, 2006

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Warner voted NAY blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.