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

[Cil]

For the love of all you hold precious people.

There are so many more great people who can bring so much to Barack's Cabinet that you do not (and I know that Barack does not want to) worry because one or the other says they do not want a VP position. For everyone who "SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE VP". THERE ARE TEN MORE WHO WOULD WELCOME THE CHANCE. THE CHALLENGE IS IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE

[PoliticoJonze]

This certainly isn't a shot at Obama. I believe Mark Warner endorsed him early in the primary and they are rather friendly with each other. Warner has said all along that he wanted to stay in one place to raise his young kids. He could have the senate seat as long as he wanted it, however as the VP, if Obama lost, Warner would have been locked out of Virginia politics for years. This is the safer bet for him personally while he can still help Obama win Virginia and then shore up the senate for the Dems.

[hominidx]

Good point - thank you.

[FilthyPerson]

The way things are going all he's going to be left with is his babies' mama.
Wouldn't that be a trip.

[snarkopolitan]

You're already tripping. But you'll at least have the company of a few other racist geniuses on your journey to Bitterville.

[ladeyday]

Ha Ha, you are SO erudite & sophisticated.

[rosal]

Talk about honoring your name

[naschkatze]

Such a fitting moniker you have.

[AdamND]

basically what he is saying is: I'm not running for VP but if Obama asks me I will probally say yes.

[FilthyPerson]

Maybe he was offended having to be vetted by the likes of Jim Johnson and Eric Holder.

Must have been like seeing Libya as the head of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.

[edwarvir]

FilthyPerson Hillary is going to have to be vetted too, but it 's probably going take years
to get through all of the junk in her and bill's truck and then what??????

lol

[crossoverwriter]

Just say NO TO HILLARY as Veep.
NOOOOOOOOOOO!
Obama & Webb in 08

[rosal]

Your Libya example?. It would have been as having H on the ticket.

[Viper]

By the way as it turned out Jim Johnson only got one loan with Country Wide while he was with Fanny Mae... at it was about 5.% higher than the going rate.

The other 2 loans were after he had left Fanny Mae... they were lower... but my rate is lower because I paid more points up front for a lower interest rate...

Now lets discuss McCain's Economic Advisor... Sem Phil Gramm, author of the ENRON loophole and his wife end up with a seat on the ENRON Board. Or his VP vettor who was lobbyist for the Mortgage industry.


Regards

[Ping]

Mark Warner was a very competent and able Govenor. Gilmore proved himself to be a liar and incompetent. Does anyone remember his promise to kill the car tax? If Warner is elected I expect he will run for President and enjoy a long career in the Senate.

[saun8934]

Who cares!

[chronic]

Democrats do!

Who cares what those idiots that don't care thinks!

[plages]

An extremely smart move!

[adl]

I like Mark Warner and was kinda hoping he might be Obama's running mate, but it's probably better that he's not so that we can have a governor and both senators who are Democrats here in Virginia.

[loria]

I'm with you. I would rather see the dems pick up as many Senate seats as possible. I don't know how many of you saw General Clark on Morning Joe. He was pretty impressive. He didn't back down to them at all. Who knows what Obama is thinking, but I do like Wesley Clark.

[Cookie100]

Me too, chose him and shut them up about their old war hero. Read a report written by 2 guys in that camp with McSame who didn't think he was such a hero by his actions. If what they said is true, not at all a hero, but I wasn't there.
Obama/Clark

[fair1234]

The headlines need to read more clear. I know that Warner and Obama are actually good friends and wanting his name off of the VP list is nothing that is againts Obama in anyway. I think Obama needs to go with a military guy.

[chronic]

Exactly!

Im extremely dissapointed that these headlines on Huffpo are becoming very misleading.

Is there a right wing operative in the Huffpo ranks?

[rucognizant]

Meanwhile while we fiddle, America drowns!
Don't you realize.................the Government food surplus is GONE,
AND the corn wheat growing area of the country is under water.
ANd I am sure all these tornados are blowing away good topsoil.
The DUSTBOWL of the 30's was a contributing factor in the Great Depression, which seems likely to be relegated to the mini-depression, comapred to what we face!
Thomas Jefferson, said "If more than 50% of the population occupies the cities, instead of farms, our Democracy will be under serious threat."
It's sad that so many Americans are totally out of touch with nature! WIthout soybeans, even you vegans will not have your tofu dogs!

[DRaymond]

It would be stupid to select Warner as VP. There are lots of other potential VP candidates but almost no opportunity to find a similarly viable candidate for the Virginia Senate seat, one which Warner has a double digit lead in the polls.

[Gmoney1]

I think these potential vp candidates are being told by the Clintons to reject because they owe the Clintons in some way or another - I don't trust those Clintons and James Carvel - I think they are trying to undermine Obama - keep your eyes and ears open - it's going to be quite interesting -

[heal57]

The Clintons do not have the same power as they once did. It will never be the same. Bill Clinton has damaged his reputation and Hillary has been seen for what she is. In fact, both Clintons have been downgraded which is fine with me. They can't control the democratic party the way they once did [I'm delighted to say].

Independent for obama '08

[Ping]

This is a pickup in the Senate. With this seat we can kiss Joe Lieberman GOODBYE.

[rosal]

Those two are damage goods. I don't think they have a lot of friends left in the party.

[DRaymond]

I am not seeing the hand of Clinton in this at all. Warner has never polled less than double digits ahead of Gilmore, But if he drops out who could the Democrats nominate fast enough to be such a sure win?

If Obama wants to pick a VP with the idea of putting Virgina into play he could go with Tom Kaine. That would have the downside of giving the governorship to the Republicans since Bolling is a Repub, but the number two priority of the Dems after getting the White House has to be sixty votes in the Senate.

[teddyquin]

Interesting thought--I personally think that Chuck Hagel would be a very good consideration for VP--the Clintons cerainly have no "control" over him and he owes them nothing. ---also it would strengthen the independent vote, especially if Lieberman is still in the picture for McCain
I believe the Clintons still have a lot of power left and are using it.