Mark Warner being considered for Obama's VP

[lsusteel]

FORMER VIRGINIA Gov. Mark Warner, a strong favorite to be elected to the Senate this year, has told associates that he is being considered as Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate. He did not indicate whether he would be receptive to such an offer.

Removing Warner from the campaign for the seat now held by retiring Republican Sen. John Warner (no relation) would turn a sure Democratic takeover to a question mark. Mark Warner is heavily favored against the Republican nominee, former Gov. Jim Gilmore, but no substitute Democratic candidate is at hand.

Although no Democratic presidential nominee has carried Virginia since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, Democrats see the state as being in play for the 2008 election and would like to see a Virginian on the national ticket. Both current Gov. Tim Kaine and freshman Sen. Jim Webb have been mentioned, but neither possesses Warner’s prestige.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Robert+D.+Novak%3A+Mark+Warner+for+Obama's+VP%3F&articleId=4c42be55-720d-4934-bd21-5f31b3d7b254

I'd LOVE Mark Warner as VP, but that would leave the Dems without a good candidate to run against Gilmore in the VA Senate election. However, Warner can help Obama win and if Obama does win, Warner is a definite 2016 candidate.

Is the trade off worth it?

[stray cat]

1. If it helps with the presidency I think its worth it.

[polichick]

2. I'm not sure the trade is worth it, in his case or in Webb's case.

[eleny]

7. If Virginia could have two Dem senators, that would be so important

I hope Obama finds someone else besides either Warner or Webb for VP.

A week or so ago, Lawrence O'Donnell asserted that if Webb were to accept the VP nom, the Dems would not be able to fill his senate seat. So that thought has been in my mind ever since.

[polichick]

8. I agree - it's not as if there aren't other good choices.

[Spider Jerusalem]

40. In Webb's case...VA has a Democratic governor who would appoint a replacement.

And Tim Kaine is term-limited as governor, and would be in a good position to run for the seat when the special election came up.

[williesgirl]

3. No No No. don't saddle us with Gilmore again! I love Mark Warner, but leave him alone!

[BlooInBloo]

4. I'm sure all of that goes into their decision-making process.

[Joe the Revelator]

5. I'm torn.I love Mark Warner, I took a year off of college to work for him but....

He might be better in the senate. Then again I think he would make an amazing President in 2016. I really don't know what to make of this.

[4_Legs_Good]

24. A popular Governor turned VP of a Red (turning blue) state would guarantee us 16 years in the WH

We can find another Senator for VA, and that candidate will be able to ride the Obama/Warner wave to victory, even if they're not quite as strong a candidate.

Comeon VA has to have someone else!

David

[Joe the Revelator]

6. It would turn VA blue without any question though

Seriously, I'm extremely torn.

[jaysunb]

9. Me too.

My three favorites, Webb, Kaine & Warner are all so valuable where they are, that it really throws things into a quandry.:shrug:

[4_Legs_Good]

25. How would it play out in the region?

Is Warner popular enough to have an effect on Ohio, NC, SC, WV???

VA is worth it to me, but if it carries weight beyond VA, it's the best choice.

David

[graycem]

10. Of course it would be worth it

if it helps him win. Then he gets to run after Obama and wouldn't that be a win/win?

[ecdab]

11. Bad idea - he is too valuable in VA at the moment.

[olkaz]

12. No. It would be a bad move.

But he has a huge future.

[gateley]

13. Obama knows very well how desperately the Senate is in need

of more Dems. I'm sure that's a consideration. What good is it being President if the Senate won't give you what you want?

So, again I'll nominate Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana. My current personal fave. :-)

[Joe the Revelator]

15. Another good dem could beat Gilmore. He's very unpopular in VA

[Joe the Revelator]

14. He's HUGE with the Rural working class...its how he won VA in 2001

In that respect, he would be a huge help for Obama.

[taught_me_patience]

16. Hell Yeah!!!

I've been with Warner since day 1. He is my #1 choice. Screw the senate... we need the whitehouse! Warner delivers VA.

[katmondoo]

17. Absolutely NO Republican on a Democratic ticket

No no no no no. Enough of them, they will try to take over and probably succeed. Again NO

[lsusteel]

18. Uh...what?

?

[Joe the Revelator]

19. What are you talking about?

[Max_powers94]

22. mark not John

[lsusteel]

20. Despite my Edwards thread

This is my top choice.

[Max_powers94]

21. I am cool with it...as long as it isn't u know who

[4_Legs_Good]

23. TAKE IT WARNER!!!

Look, we're gonna have the Senate, the question is will we have 60 votes. 60 votes doesn't mean as much and isn't as necessary if you have the White House. Warner at the bottom of the ticket, will almost guarantee us the White House

TAKE IT!!!

He's exactly the kind of across the aisle person we need

TAKE IT!!!

Obama is constantly saying that imporant measures are failing by ONE VOTE, the President's. Accept Warner, and we'll have that vote.

TAKE IT!!!

Imagine the excitement for Democrats in November! We can find someone else to take the Senate spot and they'll be able to ride on Obama/Warner's coattails to the Capitol building.

TAKE IT WARNER!!!!


PLEASE!!!!! Like a dream come true!

David

Edit: added "as" x 2

[yourguide]

26. Not any more he's not.

I bet since he ran his mouth he's off the short list.

[4_Legs_Good]

27. Doubt it...

this like this can be leaked on purpose to gauge excitment and reaction. If everyone rolls their eyes, then O knows which way the wind is blowing. If everyone starts yapping about how this will destory McCain's chances, he knows more.

Campaigns toss up these trial balloons all the time. I think he's been waving Richardson around a lot lately too.

David

[Thrill]

28. Tim Kaine could easily take over running for the Senate

[arewenotdemo]

29. YES! YES! A million times, YES!!!!

OBAMA/WARNER is the way to go!

[LSK]

30. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

WE NEED THOSE SENATE SEATS!!!!

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

[Thrill]

31. Kaine could run for it

[LSK]

32. can he? isnt it too late?

Isnt he busy being Governor?

We need those Senate seats so badly, I do not want to risk anything there. There are plenty of others for VP.

[Thrill]

33. Kaine's term is up

I'm sure if Warner takes the VP. The VA Dem Party could run Kaine in his place

[Mike L]

34. NO. Warner shouldn't blemish himself with a loss. em

[Mike L]

35. Obama should pick Kucinich. em

[VolcanoJen]

36. There was a time when the Conventional Wisdom was...

... that Warner would be giving Hillary a run for her money in the Democratic Nomination of 2008.

Warner dropped out of the contests rather abruptly, and I've always wondered why... :shrug:

[Barack_America]

37. Virginia is difficult. If they pick Kaine, the Governorship will go to the Republican Lt. Gov.

Tough decisions all around.

[FredScuttle]

38. Let's face it....with most of the VP hopefuls, we're sacrificing something

be it a seat in the Senate (Warner or McCaskill) or a governorship (Sebelius, Richardson). My personal pick is Wesley Clark.

I agree than Warner, while a fantastic choice for the national ticket, is too valuable in the Senate race. Where would President Obama rather see Mark Warner? Hanging out at 34th and Massachusetts in the VP residence, or casting a decisive 60th vote in the Senate?

[TexasObserver]

39. All Democratic Governors and Senators are automatically "under consideration"

Also, former vice presidents, former first ladies, and former governors.

The rule of thumb is that anyone who is a Democrat who holds or has held an office higher than congressman is "considered" for the VP slot, as that term is understood.