Mark Warner: No Vice President Slot

HAMPTON, Va. — Former Gov. Mark R. Warner on Saturday removed himself from consideration as a vice presidential running mate for Democrat Barack Obama.

Warner clarified his intentions for the first time as he accepted the Virginia Democratic Convention's nomination for a U.S. Senate race this fall.

"I have not sought and I will not accept any other opportunity," Warner told cheering convention delegates.

He was one of three Virginia Democrats frequently mentioned as potential Obama ticketmates. Neither of the other two, Sen. Jim Webb or Gov. Tim Kaine, have ruled out a run with Obama.

"Today, in front of this convention, I wanted to make it clear what I am focused on," Warner said. Until Saturday, he had downplayed his interest but stopped short of precluding a spot on the ticket if Obama asked.

Both parties say Virginia is in play this year, and Obama has shown he intends to campaign aggressively in a state the Democrats last won in a presidential election in 1964. His first campaign swing after securing the delegates necessary for the Democratic nomination was June 5 through Virginia.

Warner, who is favored over Republican former Gov. Jim Gilmore in the Senate race. He was uncontested as the Democratic nominee for the seat Sen. John W. Warner has kept securely Republican for 30 years. The former governor and retiring senator are friends, but not related.

With no nominations to decide, Saturday's convention became a pep rally for Warner's race. He was the only Democrat to repeatedly bring the crowd of more than 2,000 to its feet.

Comments

[sayno]

www.justsaynodeal.com

[justoneofthecrowd]

Obama could do worse than select a former governor who erased a deficit and earned the "Best Managed State" award. Sorry; he's ours, and we need him representing us in the Senate.

[linaya]

Come on . . . he needs to pick Hillary as his running mate or he's going to lose millions of votes. They are already organizing against Obama. He better figure that out really soon or forget about the senate, we're going to lose the presidency. McCain is luring Hillary supporters in every day with his stupid conference calls.

[debrouillard]

Well,if Hillary supporters feels the need to support John McCain,then it can only mean one thing,they dont agree with Obama's agenda. That agenda will not change even if he were to pick Hillary.So no point really trying to lure them.

And may be since you seem to know so much,you might help explain to me,will the said Hillary supporter who wont support Obama because Hillary isnt on ticket be voting McCain because McCain is going to have Hillary on his ticket?

Or is there a rule that says,only Obama has to give them everything they want in exchange for their support? Because as far as i know,he has given them already over 90% of what they want,that is if policies is part of the criteria under which they were supporting Hillary.

[112985]

That's not the point she worked jus as hard as OBAMA did and she had more votes - she deserves to be on that ticket if not I don't care what Obama I will not change my mind - he will lose without Hillary?

[debrouillard]

But you might still have your wish,there is growing suspicions that McCain may not be the GOP nominee come september,so if you are so desperate to JUST seeing Hillary contest in November(I say contest,because she will still lose if she were to run against Barack again),you might wanna ask her to become a Republican and may be she might be their nominee.

Remember she was calling on you to tell her what to do next,so hurry up to her website

[jonjon66]

Woman are smarter than men, so why would any woman who vote for McCain?
Clinton folks need to "get over it"...she lost. What exactly did Obama do to these angry white women anyway? I thought they were a part of his base, it seems only a small fraction of women are supporting McCain,so will the media please quit focusing on these small group. We get it they're mad. But to switch parties...­at this time?

[LABC]

Yeah, who's dialing? Clayton Williams? But I gotta give you props for sustaining that fantasy of Clinton supporters running like crazy over to McCain...

[msblynne]

That is old news, no offense. May I respectfully suggest that you read Frank Rich's column in the New York Times today, "Angry Clinton Voters (heart) McCain?" for a more realistic assessment of this?

[vincealy]

The most telling fact about HRC as Veep was the poll that asked would she make you more or less inclined to vote for Obama 23% for 22 % against. Many better choices. Hillary might be the only person in the US that could energize the right wing behind McCain

[marinade]

The June 12 issue of Rolling Stone had a good article about the Dems failed Senate leadership. it would be an improvement to have leaders like Mark Warner in the Senate.

[WarriorLemming]

Mark who? Boohoo! Never knew ya and won't miss ya either.

I much prefer Jim Webb (not just because he's Scots-Irish like me) but because he seems so right for so many reasons military experience, foreign experience and he changes the Democrat brand a little too with his tough take-no-prisoners attitude we need that so badly. Yeah, besides my e-scrapbooks on Michelle and Barack I've also started one for Jim Webb too now and dream of their walk down Pennsylvania Ave. come Jan. '09

Vets For Obama/Webb '08

[idest]

Hey now, I'm from Virginia and Mark Warner is a good guy, he'll make a damn fine Senator as well.

Webb's my favorite too, but let's not insult the other sons of the Commonwealth.

[musselmanm]

Has Claire McCaskell said anything. she is kind of impressive.
I bet I screwed up her name but I am a democrat so I do not really care as long as you know who I am talking about.

[Piatt]

I agree...do­n't pick a vp candidate that will decrease the Democrat's Senate majority.

[monty]

Makes perfect sense to help assure a Dem majority in the Senate, more important than being a VP.

[pupbayer]

Congress is where the REAL power is.

[Fotios]

Obviously not. Have you seen what Bush has done over the past two years with a Dem Congress?

Attorney firings, Gitmo, wire tapping, lost emails, lying to the American people, vetoing anthing good that congress passes...

The President still has plenty of power, especially the power to enforce the laws that Congress passes.

[barackobama4prez]

But everyone who has taken themselves out of the running were NOT on Barack's short list.

Biden, Richardson, Webb...the­se are all SERIOUS contenders. And you don't hear them talking.

[Anonani]

I predict that there is a clear and compelling reason why he turned it down. I just wonder what it is.

[musselmanm]

He is getting set up for a Presidential run.

[WarriorLemming]

ummm, because he feels he can meet his goals better in the Senate. Thought that was pretty obvious but then your tone had a hint of conspiracy to it so that reason probably won't get you all hot and juicy now will it. ^.~

[meanguy]

probably because he doesn't want to be associated with the coming train wreck...be­sides, he's more qualified than obama...wo­uld robert parish have settled for being greg kite's backup on the cletics?

[IndependentMynd]

As far as I know, he WASN'T offered anything. He may or may not have been on 'the list' but I heard no news stories stating that he WAS offered ANYTHING. As far as I know, it was all just speculation on the MSM's part. I think the only compelling reason that he may have turned down a non-existent offer was because he does not want the scrutiny or he really wants to work for the people of Virginia right now.

[Titonwan]

The absolute two best, top of the heap, primetime picks for VP are Bill Richardson and Chuck Hagel. For two very different reasons. Mr. Richardson is genial and disarming and could go anywhere in the world to talk to world leaders (his record proves this). He's latino and I like native people as I am half. Chuck Hagel would be good as he's tough (let Cheney try to intimidate HIM) and he's brutally honest. Plus he's a disillusioned Republican and could pull a lot of those over (are you listening, put out GOPer's?). Chuck Hagel has blue collar worker written all over him. Hellfire, I can see him working track on the railroad or wildcatting an oil field if he didn't choose politics. A real man. Hillary suck ups please don't bother applying.

[jrterrier]

hagel is more "pro-life" than mccain but i thought you all were saying that was a deal-breaker. richardson couldn't get more than 3 or 4% in the polls when he ran for VP.

[mystic]

Hagel is an opportunist. His voting record matches George Bush very closely. Do you want a VP who may become president one day who encourages torture and burning people alive in crematoria (see Abu Ghraib)? How about his illegal vote on Iraq. Funny, Obama knew what was right. And so on.
The Repugs are so vile, I really don't want to see any of them around. They certainly treated the Dems that way with no impunity. They are persona non grata. They helped destroy America. Why reward the traitors?

[tds1273]

Hagel as Veep? Good Lord NO! He is Rushannity-right on every issue but the war. http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Chuck_Hagel.htm

Abortion, Taxes, Judges-Alito and Robert, Healthcare, Patriot Act, Environment, etc; You name it, he is a Bush-leaguer

Chuck Hagel, might be good for SecDefense, but he would be an abysmal VP. Can you say Trojan Horse?

[Agentlady007]

I predict this man will be a United States president some day.

[CountryBeforeParty]

He was considering a run a coup[le of years ago, before all this madness started. He wisely made the right choice.

He's still young, as politicians go, and could consider running for it in eight years.

[faithfully]

He is very impressive, I agree

[longislandlol]

Why not Caroline Kennedy?

[pupbayer]

Uh, because she has exactly NO experience?

[kennedy]

PERFECT!

NO EXPERIENCE JUST LIKE BO!

[tds1273]

Secretary of Education

[meanguy]

for what? secretary of lucky genetics?

[ChristopherLib]

Warner I think would have been by far the best option from Virginia for Obama's VP. I don't believe Webb or Kaine either have much shot at being Obama's Vice President. Certainly Webb, who has said and written sexist and racially incensitive things, should not be a viable option.

Anyway it's probably best for Virginia that all three of them stay where they are. I think Obama's VP is a white male from the south with significant military credentials. So I'm guessing it's Wesley Clark or Sam Nunn.

[marymansour]

Is this supposed to be a big issue - as in: folks are pulling out of Obama's veep line-up? It won't wash. He has plenty to chose from. Warner, though a nice guy, was not well known enough for Obama to choose. Caroline Kennedy and plenty of others are vetting choices for him.

[pupbayer]

Not as many as he used to have! Do we see a pattern emerging?

[kennedy]

THE PATTERN:

JUMPING SHIP!!!!!!

[speakingtruth2power]

The list of sixteen, said to be the short list of Obama's VP picks

was more likely the "don't think so" of the top 20. The four not

listed are Bill Richardson, Wes Clark, Janet Napolitano and

'your guess is as good as mine'. Since we can't spare many

Senators for the Cabinet, I'm hoping for Edwards @ Atty Gen.

I would also like to see Kucinich @ Labor & Dean @ Health.