I dont agree often with Warner, but he is so right here.

[Mass]

Who knows? May be he understands that you should not relie too much on Democratic consultants. May be he has better consultants than others. But I could not agree more with him on this.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/nation/14416028.htm

...
Warner also was asked if he thought some people were drawing the wrong lessons from the party's defeat in 2004. He said he thought there were at least two.

"My faith is a very important part of who I am, and I'm a Christian. It's something that underpins my view of how you grapple with problems. But this notion, the notion which is a kind of a popular press notion (that) that means every Democrat has to quote a Bible verse in every speech - you know, if that's who they are, fine. If that's not who they are, that's all right too," said Warner.

The other wrong lesson?

That Democrats need to find a simpler, snappier, campaign message.

"I know that a lot of the conventional wisdom, too, right now is if ... the Democrats can just get to that simple bumper-strip kind of two-word slogan - well, I just don't know if that's going to happen," said Warner.

"I certainly don't have it down to a bumper strip," he said.
...

[beachmom]

1. Yeah, I agree with both sentiments.

Warner was a great governor and will add so much to the conversation in the Democratic party. He managed to divide the Republicans in the Assembly and State Senate, and left office with an 80% approval rating. He did well in rural areas. What he has to say should be listened to. My main issue with him is his lack of foreign policy experience or vision. But I do view him as one of the bright stars in the Party.

Back to Kerry, did you notice that he didn't speak in religious terms in that most excellent speech last Saturday. I know he has faith and was guided by it to speak out against the war, but I think he should only invoke faith in the most general terms (skip Our Lord Jesus Christ). As far as the fundamentalists go, Kerry will NEVER get their vote, so it's best he stays true to himself. My background is a New England Catholic, and rule #1 for us is you DON'T advertise that you went to Church or start quoting the bible too much unless you're at church or having a religious discussion with someone. That's certainly not who I am, and if Kerry shares half the same religious culture that I did, I don't think quoting the bible is something he should do, unless like that line about Jesus saying nothing about taking from the poor while giving tax cuts to the rich, which is a liberal frame, not a religious frame. We don't need to become Iran, a theocracy, so I think people should only go as far as Bono, but like Warner said, within their own comfort zone.

[TayTay]

2. Live it.

Then you don't have to say it overtly.

The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

[Dr Ron]

3. Agree

Kerry has said similar tihngs also.

While he has condensed his message into a as few as four points, condensing his message into a bumper sticker is also not Kerry's style.

I hope Warner has more to say. Often when I've read his statements related to running it sounds like all he is saying is that he is being more moderate than Kerry without really saying where he stands.