Where does Mark Warner stand on the current important issues?

[ZootSuitGringo]

Mark Warner is being touted as presidential material, and I have ran into quite a few Democrats who seem to want him on the Dem ticket on top or on the bottom.

I want to know what makes those who support a possible 2008 Warner run what his positions are on the various current issues? Do we know where he stands on issues such as abortion, affirmative action, the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, the confederate flag, election reforms and media reforms? What does he think of North Korea, Iran and Syria. Has he made any comments about PNAC or the way Bush went into Iraq?

Does he even have any National Security or Foreign policy experience? What are some of the legislations that he has endorsed or fought for as Governor? How moderate or progressive is he? Does he endorse the DLC? Has he made any public comments on Howard Dean as chair of the DNC? Who are his running buddies?

I want to know these things, because many Democrats are touting Warner, but everytime I ask, no one knows much about him except that he is a somewhat moderate Southern Governor who made oodles of money in the communications industry and he won an election in the South (although Virginia is less red than other states).

I am curious, because I don't want to be a blind man following other blind people voting for someone based on vague hopes that he is the electable answer. Although I liked the 1992 elections results when Clinton, a moderate southern governor won the presidency, 2008 will not be 1992 replayed.

If anyone could please post some information on this man so others can get to know him, it would be helpful. IMO, a moderate southern governor who could look presidential is just not enough for me to hop onto the Warner bandwagon.

Thank you.

[Capn Sunshine]

1. Where is Mark Warner being touted a Presidential material?

besides an internet message board in cyberspece?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

2. He's my governor (and former neighbor)

and I haven't heard any of that chatter.

He's hardly qualified, but he's a terrific guy and a good, smart politician with a great future. I'd be happy to see him take on George Allen for a Senate seat, but my guess is that John Warner won't run again, and Mark Warner will get the Democratic nod for that seat.

[Dr Ron]

5. Hardly qualified?

Is he any less qualified than other governors such as Jimmy Carter?

[ZootSuitGringo]

9. It depends on if you think things have changed since Carter

ran for office.

I will say that Carter, at least served in our armed forces, although that the issue of War wasn't a factor back when he ran.

Again, I don't know Warner's stance on any of the current issues. I, at least know that Carter was not anti-choice, and was pro civil rights.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

13. Huh?

Or George W. Bush?

Warner's worked on a very small stage so far - Virginia.

Yeah, we all know what a success Carter was as President, don't we?

[ieoeja]

17. He was vis-a-vis our Mideast situation.

George H. W. Bush was surprised by how readily the other Arab nations rallied to our side during the Gulf War. Friends in the Pentagon say those nations said they trusted the United States to do the right thing based on how they were treated by Carter. And, of course, Reagan was downright pro-Arab (most old fashioned Conservatives were), so he managed not to fuck up the goodwill left behind by Carter.

How Carter improved the image of the US in the Mideast:

1. Negotiated the return of the Sinai to Egypt.

2. Did not interfere with Iranian internal politics when the Shah was overthrown.

3. Interfered in Yemen only with Arab support, in as minimal a fashion as possible and only where it had a direct impact on our national security (the Marines barely had time to get their boots sandy before re-embarking after securing the independance of South Yemen).

[OldLeftieLawyer]

18. Don't forget the hostages in Iran

It was not a good Presidency. I regret that, but Carter alienated the Congress from the start, and that doomed him, too.

[magnolia]

12. I saw Mark Warner....

...at the Jefferson Jackson dinner in Richmond on February 5th. He more or less said that he would be running for president in 2008. I personally think that not only is he more than qualified but also very electable.

[FrenchieCat]

14. So what are his stance on the issues? n/a

[ZootSuitGringo]

15. Maybe you can share with us is position on various issues?

If he is as electable and as qualify as you say, you must know a few of his positions. Can you give us a few, as this why I started this thread to begin with.

[ZootSuitGringo]

3. well, I have seen quite a few indications, such as

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48211-2004Nov13.html
Speculation Grows On Presidential Bid For Warner in 2008

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/8733
Mark Warner Running for President in 2008 ?

http://www.wsls.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSLS/MGArticle/SLS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779409357
Warner or Allen in 2008?
Jay Warren / WSLS NewsChannel 10

http://www.petitiononline.com/Draft/petition.html
Draft Mark Warner for President in 2008

http://www.changeforamerica.com/community/node/view/2549

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59350-2005Jan8.html
Warner's Prospects Keep Va. Guessing

http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/news/MarkWarner
Ads By Google
Mark Warner for President
2008 is sooner than you think! Bumper stickers, buttons, t-shirts

http://editorials.arrivenet.com/pol/article.php/3240.html
A Look Ahead to 2008 (Part II)
Today, I will continue by taking a look at the potential Democratic candidates. Among them are New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, Illinois Senator-elect Barack Obama, Nevada Senator Harry Reid, and Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2004/12/08/warner_in_2008.html
Warner in 2008?

http://www.mclaughlinonline.com/newspoll/np2004/041104rudyhill.htm

[Dr Ron]

4. All over the mainstream media

I've seen Warner's name mentioned very frequently, largely because he's a Democrat from a blue state, and as the last two Democratic winners have been southern governors.

As with the person who initially posted this, I'd also be interested in more information on Warner's positions.

[ZootSuitGringo]

6. You mean, he is a Democratic Governor from a Red State? n/t

[Dr Ron]

8. Yes--forgive my "color blind" post

Or maybe I was looking at the wrong year's map.

We are all so used to the red vs. blue maps, but the networks have not always used these as Democrats=Blue. In the past they would alternate based upon which party controlled the white house. Gore was blue as it was the year for the party controlling the White House to be blue in 2000. In 2004, it was the turn for the challenging party to be Blue, making Kerry blue.

If the followed the same pattern, the Democratic candidate would be red in 2008, but with all the red vs blue state talk, I bet they will permanently stick with Democrats being blue.

[RonMrG]

7. Virginia Guvnahs cannot suceed themselves.

Warner is about as moderate as they come. To coddle up to the national Democratic party would be a kiss of death for any future aspirations he might have in the state of Virginia. He did raise some sales taxes and some cigarette taxes and cut state services such as the hours of operation for the Div. of Motor Vehicles and the state run liquor stores. Plus, he threated the University of Virginia with a cut in funding if they did not vote to allow VA Tech to join the ACC. Other than that, his term has been fairly non-discript and non-controversial as has most of his predesesors of either party.

He is not a Virginian per se, but from Connecticut and has stong ties to New England so that might be a plus if he should choose to run nationally. I see Warner as Lieberman light, but he could carry a Southern state or two..but probably not Virginia.

[ZootSuitGringo]

10. Thank you for this bit of info.

But moderate is a pretty generic word that can mean a lot of things to different people.

Does Non descriptive Governorship means he didn't get much done?

Please don't say Lieberman lite! That's not a good thing, IMO.

[Donna Zen]

11. What I've heard:

I've heard that:

1) He does have designs on a presidential run and has access to the big-wallet crowd.

2) Will run against Allen for the Senate--with designs on VP

3) Is very well liked in VA. and could carry the state--as a VP

Those are the things I've heard, and since I'm not from VA., I have no clue about how accurate that information might be.

[DemDogs]

27. Big money?

Virginia hardly limits the amount any donor can give, so he got huge donations from his Northern Virginia high tech friends. Putting together a national donor base is going to be a lot more difficult. That and distinguishing himself from the other candidates who have not gotten real national exposure will keep him from being a contender.
Probably running for VP, since he made a real aggressive bid with Kerry in 2004.

[Catchawave]

16. There's a Mark Warner DU Group at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=261

[ZootSuitGringo]

20. Went to your link, but found scant information in the 40 posts there.

Even his stance on choice isn't clear.

In reference what he thinks about Iraq, there is nothing at all. That's not very comforting.

I am doubtful that many wise Democratic activitist could support someone they know nearly nothing about. Seems like if he is interested in running, he should make some statements to clarify where he stands on important issues.

Thus far, all I know is that he is a "moderate" governor from Virginia who made millions from Nextel. He seems not too charismatic and is an OK speaker.

Not much provided here, after starting a thread asking for information.

This makes it impossible for me to even have him as a consideration. Again, I am not just going to jump on a bandwagon just because he is not Hillary or John Kerry.

I can't even tell if he has some "it" factor either. He doesn't do much for me, as he seems rather bland in a Jimmy Carter sort of way (IMO). Can I get some feedback on that one? I have a hard time judging what's supposed to be attractive and telegenic these days, unless it's evident, like Clark and Edwards.

[Catchawave]

28. I'm glad you posted there....

...maybe that'll perk up the Group a bit :)

As a Virginian, I have to agree with you, but he seems to be doing an okay job and is a well liked dem in a red state. As the story goes, he made millions during the tech boom, but also gave up the potential to make more millions by running for gov.

I was an Edwards supporter during the primaries, and was miffed at him for very publically endorsing Kerry here. So I went ABB until K selected JRE for running mate!

[DaveinMD]

19. Issues

He is Pro-Choice, against the confederate flag, supports progressive taxation, more spending on health care and education. He's much like Clinton on affirmative action. Mend it, don't end it. He opposed more gun control.

I don't know his foreign policy experience. I'm sure he doesn't have much as a governor. I haven't heard him say anything about Dean. In addition to being governor, he's also a former chair of the Virginia Democratic Party.

His greatest accomplishment was to get a veto proof Republican legislature to fight with each other on how to raise taxes to close the budget gap in Virginia. He's been a very good governor.

[ZootSuitGringo]

21. Thanks!

Do you have any links on some of these stances you mentioned?

What about his feelings about Iraq?

[DaveinMD]

24. I don't have links

all off of memory from living down here. I'm sure you can google him.

[ZootSuitGringo]

29. A kick

for the weekend crowd.

Maybe some DU posters have some concrete substance on Warner to post. He's getting a lot of buzz, but so far, the specifics have been few.

[independentchristian]

22. Mark Warner has zero chances of winning

I saw him interviewed and he doesn't have what it takes.

He doesn't have "it".

[ZootSuitGringo]

23. Thanks for your input.

I saw him on TV a couple of times, and didn't see "it" either. But then, I'm not the greatest judge on who has "it". Bush has negative "it" to me, but Repugs find him as the only "it". I voted for John Kerry, but I didn't see "it" there either. But then, I couldn't find the "it" in Gore either.

[DaveinMD]

25. I disagree

I'm with Wes Clark if he runs, but Warner is my definite number 2. He has what it takes. He almost knocked out John Warner before he became Governor. He can win.

[liberalitch]

30. I DO think that he has "IT".....

From seeing him live to hearing him on the National Press Club, he is very thoughtful and warm.....
Signed late term abortion ban
Was endorsed by the NRA (!) in THIS state (fancy that)
Solved many of our budget problems
Improved Adult Basic Education and the rates at which older people or kids who had dropped out went back and got their GEDs
Immediately went to work on Va's sorry ass mental health system

[geek tragedy]

26. And Dim Son does have "it?" eom

[carrowsboy]

31. no

He just has DieBold in his back pocket.